Any Superman movie reviews from our board members?

[Jim K, Bat fan]

Just curious what some of our members thought of the new Superman movie? In general it seems like we don't have much fondness for the newer DC movies, and I wondered if this move was better received here on the board?

I liked it much better than recent DC movies. It wasn't perfect, but I think it's an improvement and hopefully a step in the right direction.

[Jimmy L. 66]

Agree Jim. A handful of things I didn’t like,but overall a good movie going experience. It is more fun than recent DC movies, but it is a very James Gunn movie.

[ELVIS]

I have a hard time getting past the suit, I don't like the current "S" logo (I know it has appeared in the comics) and it just looks a little baggy. Otherwise I liked the movie, Lex was played well and Krypto was actually an important addition to the movie IMO. I'll always favor the Christopher Reeve films, but this one was better than I expected.

[SteveA]

Originally I was not going to see the movie at first and had no interest in it, but as time went on and more trailers came out I gained interest and went to see it yesterday.
I have to say it was a good enjoyable movie, Not great as some have said. Some reviews have said it was the best movie right up there with Christopher Reeves Superman 1978. Well in my opinion The 1978 Christopher Reeves Superman and the Richard Donner cut Superman 2 are the best to date. This movie as I said was good not great. I would have to say, (and I know I'm going to take flack for including this one) The Brandon Routh, Henry Cavill Superman Movies and this one all are good, not great movies. They all have their plus and minuses and I enjoyed them all.
On the con side, it was like reading a comic book, there was not a very deep character or plot development in my opinion. It was just a fast action paced movie with a lot of Superman in it and all the comic book elements we hoped for, Krypto, the Fortress, Superman Robots it had them all. Which I understand would please fans. When you take the time to develop the characters and the plot, if not careful the pace slows down and the kids just want to see Superman doing Super stuff. I have to say I do not think this will be the Golden Apple that launches the DCU into stardom like they hopped. Okay *** SPOILER ALERT ! ** do not read further if you have not seen the movie: That said the one thing that really got me was the end of the movie; Supergirls cameo. I hated that she was displayed as a disrespectful, drunken party girl. That just came off as all wrong to me. They Really have yet to make the perfect Superman Movie. Okay end of review, go see it's worth seeing and enjoy.

[rsaffle]

I agree with most of the comments above, but I do give the new movie a lot of credit for setting up a DC universe where anything can and probably will happen. I've heard Gunn talk about his love for Bat-Mite of all things. Modern movies always try and explain things and do stuff like make Batman all armored to show he is bulletproof or such. Just show bullets bounce off a standard looking suit and say its bullet proof. This new universe doesn't try to explain giant monsters, aliens or how someone is flying and its better for it. Gone are the days of putting the Xmen in black leather suits instead of bright yellow and blue.
Number one thing was the new movie entertained me and excited me. I wanted a Superman that people cheer for! In my theater, I watched some kids run around with their arms in the air like they were flying. Thats what I did as a kid and its back now. I'm excited to see a version of Batman & Robin in this universe. Gunn says the tone of each movie will be different just like they are in different comic versions so if this one didn't hit all of the right notes for you then maybe the next one will.
Overall, I have to admit it made this soon to be 60-year-old want to go buy a Superman action figure and maybe a shirt or two, and that is something that Superman hasn't done for me in a long while. Movie was an 8 out of 10, but my excitement and fun was a solid 10.

[Cappy]

Agree Jim. A handful of things I didn’t like,but overall a good movie going experience. It is more fun than recent DC movies, but it is a very James Gunn movie.

It being a "James Gunn movie" is the big issue for me. I have heard it is disjointed in its editing and bloated with what "story" they attempted to tell.
Would that be a fair assessment? I was hoping for a Superman movie, and this is more like a year 3 version of the character almost
Superboy in maturity.

[BATWINGED HORNET]

This was a sub-par Superman film across the board, while Fillion's Guy Gardner was a buffoon--exactly what I expected from any film helmed by Gunn, who was responsible for the worst MCU movies as well, so this film's failings did not surprise me. The casting of the principal leads was a "bleh" affair, with Corn-whatever-his-name-was being the polar opposite of a powerful, dynamic Superman. Then, there was the loose suit, the painfully obvious CG dog...just terrible.

This was supposed to be the launchpad for Gunn's "DCU" with the Supergirl film (recently finished shooting) being the direct sequel, and that's not exactly making me look forward to it, since it has the same "creators" behind it (and based in part off of the just OK Woman of Tomorrow comic).

The film is not a box office juggernaut either, and its doubtful it will earn more than Man of Steel or Superman Returns, which is a telling epitaph of why this rebooted Superman was a misguided idea at best.

[BiffPow]

I had heard good things about it, so we got tickets to see it this afternoon.

I’m irritated by movies that make political or social justice statements, so I originally shied away from the movie because of James Gunn’s comments. When you’re using a popular character or series that appeals to everyone, you should not make the character polarizing or otherwise turn it into a political platform. Just make the movie entertaining for everyone.

However, from what I understand, despite those comments, the film is mostly devoid of political “hackery,” so I’m willing to give it a chance. We’ll see.

[BiffPow]

Just watched it. I found it very entertaining. While I am not a fan of Guy Gardner, I am a fan of “Firefly,” so it was nice to see Fillion AND Alan Tudyk (“Gary/4” the robot) working on a project together.

Also BIG smile because they used the Union Terminal in Cincinnati as the Hall of Justice!!! I am originally from Cincinnati and we visit the Union Terminal (now mostly a museum) every year or so. Have been saying for years that it should be the setting for the Hall of Justice. Amazing place!

While I wish Gunn hadn’t made his statement a political one, the film REALLY is a moral play about choices making who you are. Gunn could have made that statement and it would have been a better approach.

Agree with the party girl Supergirl. It wasn’t necessary and is a minus, but brief, so not a big deal.

Overall, I recommend the film. Kept me engaged.

[Lou Szabo]

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. I tried to avoid any spoilers and previews to get a genuine first impression.

I then listened to a Looong review by Kevin Smith

One question I had immediately: in the restored/fixed video message, how do we know Luther’s team didn’t doctor it before releasing it. That would be in keeping with the rest of the story. And Why wasn’t the message in Kryptonian?

[AndyFish]

My son saw Superman on a Double Bill with Fantastic Four at the drive in-- he really enjoyed the FF but thought Superman was disappointing-- said it felt, like stated above, more like Superboy than Superman.

[BiffPow]

And Why wasn’t the message in Kryptonian?

Lou, I thought I remembered robot “Gary” explaining in the movie that they had translated it into English (I presume because Superman, as an infant, had not learned the Kryptonian language growing up).

[rsaffle]

One question I had immediately: in the restored/fixed video message, how do we know Luther’s team didn’t doctor it before releasing it. That would be in keeping with the rest of the story.

I thought this too Lou, but I watched an interview with Gunn, and he acted a little irritated that we the viewers still question this. He was laughing and pointing out that the characters repeated that it was true, many, many times and then confirmed it was true.

[Lou Szabo]

Yes, we’ve heard that in real life too, on many topics, only to find out later the story was not true.

Also, I can’t recall if Superman used any Superhearing or X-ray vision. I like that his power was limited, so there are many more story opportunities.

I am a guy who is very literal, not a read-between-the-lines kind of guy. So I missed the political commentary that may have been in the movie. I can’t wait to have a Blu-ray copy when it’s released.