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Created Aug 24, 2008 01:01PM PST • Edited Dec 28, 2008 08:52PM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Perfect 5.0

   I love Superman. I love the idea behind the character, I love the versatility of the idea he represents. I love all interpretations of him. So, naturally, I was very excited for this movie. It was not the movie I was hoping for, but I still absolutely loved it. I do not believe this is the Superman of today. This movie, though set in modern times, feels very retro. Part of that, I think, is the fact that it is so closely tied to Donner’s original movies. Part of it is also the look – it looks like 1950’s Metropolis. The costumes, the hair, the color scheme, etc. I would have liked to see distance from the movies that came before. I think the 1950’s look works for Superman and would not have changed that at all. That being said, this movie still delivers a Superman worth watching. This was a very emotional look at Superman and really focused on the man aspect of his life. As incredibly powerful as he is, he is still human in many ways and his emotional needs are the same as ours. He needs to feel needed and when he returns he’s really not and he has to find his place again. Like I said, I enjoy all versions of Superman and all takes on the character. This one is not for everyone. I, however, greatly enjoyed it.

4. Acting

   Very Good 3.5

   The acting in this movie was very good, but could have been capable of so much more. I think if the actor’s had been given a chance to really cut loose that they would have excelled in these roles. As it is, Spacey is the only one who really garners praise for making Luthor dangerous again.

5. Male Stars Great 4.0

   Brandon Routh was a good choice for Supes. He’s got the body type, the facial features and a wholesome feel that fits right where it needs to. Unfortunately, he didn’t really give us anything we hadn’t seen before. Christopher Reeve did such a tremendous job establishing the character and in my eyes he is Superman and will be probably forever. Routh didn’t help change that because he really just copied Reeve’s performance. The mannerisms, the voice, everything was spitting image Reeves. Thats not a bad thing, mind you, because as I’ve said before the character Reeves established was incredible. However, I feel like I want more. I want to see something different, not the same old stuff rehashed. Hopefully Routh will get to bust loose a bit more in future films.

6. Female Stars Really Great 4.5

   I liked Kate Bosworth quite a bit as Lois, actually. I think she has the tenacity needed for the part and comes off as a strong female and never really becomes the damsel in distress. If Supes ever needs to fly in, its really because she is physically unable to help herself. She very believably can take care of herself and almost hates how much she had come to depend on Superman.

7. Female Costars Barely OK 2.0

   I hate Parker Posey. I’m not a violent man, but I would punch her in the face if I had the chance, I think. It wasn’t agonizing to watch her this time around (as it was in Blade Trinity) but she still bugs the ever loving crap out of me.

8. Male Costars Perfect 5.0

   Kevin Spacey is brilliant as always. He plays Luthor as dangerous. As highly intelligent and an actual threat to Superman. He was limited only by how the character was written. Make Luthor something other than a land grabbing money hound and Spacey could win a damn oscar for it.

   James Marsden was a great choice for Lois’ love interest. He’s completely likeable. Yeah, he’s the thing stopping Supes from being with Lois, but you don’t hate him for it. You almost hate Supes for breaking them up. That’s how cool Marsden is.

   Sam Huntington plays a great Jimmy. He really is Superman’s Pal. That’s the best way to describe him and he plays the part perfectly.

10. Film

    Really Great 4.5

    This movie was beautiful. It was unbelievably pretty and a visual feast that never seemed to run out. Visually I don’t think you could get much better than this flick. The action scenes really grabbed onto you and wouldn’t let go. The plane save at the beginning was fantastic.

11. Direction Perfect 5.0

    Bryan Singer loves Superman – more specifically he loves Richard Donner’s version of Superman. This movie works as a love letter to those previous films. It really pays homage to what’s come before. I think that in this case it slowed the movie down and stopped it from realizing its full potential, but it was very well made and great to watch. Singer catches some of the most classic Superman shots and it shows how well he understands the character.

12. Play Really Great 4.5

    The dialogue was near perfect. It gets a little cheesy in parts (which again touches on the retro feel), but otherwise is natural and easy to follow. Again, Spacey nails this part of the movie and makes the lines shine.

13. Music Perfect 5.0

    John Williams created such a classic score that they are very respectful of in this movie. The use it and build upon it wisely.

14. Visuals Perfect 5.0

    I wish that there had been more action in this film because it was a treat to watch Superman flying around, punching through airplane wings, lifting islands into space and falling to earth comatose. So many iconic images come from this flick. Nothing too original from the comics – we’ve seen pretty much all of them there – but to see it on the big screen was something incredible.

15. Content

16. Edge

    Tame 1.5

    No real edge here. The edgiest thing that happens is when they beat the crap out of Superman at the end of the flick and Luthor shivs the dude. Other than that, no rudeness, sex or violence.

17. Sex Innocent 1.5

18. Violence Gentle 1.5

19. Rudeness Polite 1.5

21. Reality

    Fantasy 5.0

    Pure fantasy. There are some things that they tie to reality – like the planes wing ripping off when he tries to stop the spinning, but it doesn’t ground it by any means. It makes it a bit more believable fantasy, but its complete fantasy none the less.

22. Circumstantial Fantasy 5.0

23. Biological Fantasy 5.0

24. Physical Fantasy 5.0