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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Dragonblade" data-source="post: 5565704" data-attributes="member: 2804">Word. Totally agree. Gene Hackman played it like a joke, but he had a sinisterness too his performance as well. It was like he was laughing at the world because he held it in such contempt.Spacey seemed to be trying for an edgier version of the Hackman Luthor. And while he was alright, the problem with Superman Returns is that the whole movie tried to hard to follow the Donner Superman. It was like Bryan Singer had this huge mancrush on the first movie, so much so that he couldn't bear to deviate from it.So many things wrong with Superman Returns. The whole stalker Superman thing. The notion that he had a kid with Lois, who what didn't remember they slept together? I mean its just so wrong on so many levels. Also the basic plot was horrid. The whole Lex and his real estate schemes was kind of goofy.But it had a couple of good moments too. The scene were Superman is hanging up in space just listening to the sounds of the world and people calling for help. It was one of the few scenes where the movie really captured the true essence of Superman.I disagree with the Batman-ification of Superman. That the only way audiences can relate to Superman is if he is flawed, or worse, dark like Batman. Singer sort of went that way, with this notion that Superman is powerful, but lonely and alienated. Another subtle theme in Superman Returns is that the modern world is edgy and cynical. And Superman's devotion to "truth, justice, and all that stuff" is quaint and antiquated.To me that is a mistake. The whole notion that audiences can't relate to Superman because he isn't human, or cynical enough is completely misguided. That what he needs is more angst and doubt.As Lex said in Superman Returns, "WRONG!"The essence of Superman, and the reason he endures in the popular subconscious despite not having a good movie in 30 years is the fact that he is essentially a messianic Christ-like figure. Whether you are religious or not, there is something fundamental about this concept that calls to people on a primal level. Perhaps it goes back to Joseph Campbell and the Monomyth, or perhaps there is something more to it. I don't know.But I do know that good Superman stories are the ones where the authors really embrace this aspect of his character. John Williams classic score really encapsulates that feeling, which is why its so timeless.As did that one scene in Superman Returns when he hangs above the Earth and just listens to all the people crying out. That is how you get an audience to "relate" to Superman. Not by bringing him down to our level. But by elevating and inspiring us to rise to his level. I only hope that Zack Snyder "gets" it for this new Superman movie.</blockquote>

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