“A tour-de-force of pop cinema”

 Few movies have endured the long and tiring journey to the big screen as Superman Returns. The man in blue has had so many different directors and writers attached to the project that actually getting it cast and crewed became the real project. Rather than have me go on about all the different versions and directors, here’s a popular site that goes over some of the many different versions and stories that were tied to the movie. But put simply, after everyone had failed or walked away, Brian Singer came up to bat and as far as super-hero movies go, he was hitting 1.000 (directing X-Men 1 and 2).

Singer has created a truthful, loyal following to the earlier movies done by Richard Donner and has made a true spectacle of this next installment. While sticking to the roots of the first two movies and disregarding the last two, Singer has created the Titanic of super-hero movies…thus far. The grandeur of the film is befitting of Superman as he represents the very essence of goodness in a hero. Singer sprinkles the dust a bit long at around 2 hours and 40 minutes, but you would never know it watching the movie.

Superman Returns takes place after the first two movies, having Superman(Brandon Routh) return from his trip to Krypton and coming back to an Earth “that doesn’t need a Superman”, as deemed by now Pulitzer prize winning, Lois Lane(Kate Bosworth). Upon his return, he learns that his nemesis Lex Luthor(Kevin Spacey) has appealed his court case and is still walking free. Luthor has a plan of global domination that includes ransacking the Fortress of Solitude of valuable crystals from Krypton and using the alien technology to hold the world hostage.

The story really is about the man in blue returning to what he does best. Superman/Clark Kent is played to near perfection by new-guy Brandon Routh. He encapsulates Reeve at his best and even brings intensity to the role of Superman. While no actor may ever capture Superman as well as Reeves, Routh looks, talks and flies the part with ease. I can’t wait to see his next Superman preformance to see how he now better understands the character. Bosworth also surprised me with her take on Lois, leaning a little more on the emotionally detached side of the character to make her wanting of Superman work. As much as she may appreciate and love the qualities of her fiance Richard White(James Marsden), she is swept off her feet by this caped crusader and rightfully so. Their romance in the film is very touching, and leaves the viewer just wanting them to get together, regardless of Richards goodness. The relationship is after all an incredible driving point of the movie that includes a sub-plot involving Lois’ child. Spacey’s take on Luthor was pretty much what I expected and incredibly effective. Jimmy Olsen(Sam Huntington), is also a quirky comedic influence on the film.

The action and special effects were A+. I haven’t been in awe of a movie’s action beats and effects in quite some time, so for Singer to have me cheering with every daring rescue is quite a feat. The action scenes in this movie were so thrilling, with my favorite being one involving a plane and a baseball game. Truely awesome. I wasn’t crazy about a certain sub-plot, but wasn’t really pissed about it. The ending dragged a bit, and didn’t really have my sympathy or attention to its fullest extent, but I suppose even Sinatra coughs. Singer wowed me and made me forget about the villains of the world for the 2 and half hours I was in the theater. This movie truely is an opus of pop culture, if I may be so bold to semi-quote Entertainment Weekly. I cannot wait for the coming installments of one of my new favorite franchises. This movie get’s 9 Bones out of 10 for being a triumphant return, and a grandiose spectacle of action, romance and nostalgia and loses a point for the somewhat draggy ending and unnecessary sub-plot.

RATING: 

 

  “Speed-ing to nothing special”

The grand reunion of Speed co-stars Reeves and Bullock looked sweeping and romantic in the trailer (I think having one of my favorite songs “Somewhere Only We Know” by Keane helped it). But alas, the trailer served it’s purpose in duping me into seeing this movie expecting to be roped in. Needless to say, the movie entertained me and hit a few romantic spots in my spine, but not in the way I originally pictured.

That is part of my problem: I go into movies with expectations. Regardless of what anyone says, expectations are a requisite in movies, music, books etc. If anyone can make a case to say they watch something without any expectations ever, I’m open to hear. I was excited to see the chemistry between Bullock and Reeves reignite after a few years, being that Speed is a movie near and dear to my heart. But the energy from that film was as much given to them as they gave back. The Lake House required them to bring it without the help of a bus and Dennis Hopper.

Alex(Reeves) is a man in 2004 that rents out a lake house that is all windows that his father made for his mother. Reeves father, Simon, is played by Christopher Plummer, a world reknowned architect who is famous but empty at his core, something Alex strives never to become. Kate(Bullock) is a doctor in 2006 who has rented the lake house after Alex. The two cross paths a few times and a few cool little twist and turns later and we’re in the “mailbox tag” romance that the two share throughout the film.

The story is a romantic one, let me say that to begin. It works itself out nicely and definetely strings the audience with it. This may be one of the only recent times I’ve seen a story surpass the preformances and hype. I usually defend Reeves, but he was totally wooden in this one with flashes of sincerity and emotion. Bullock actually hit her role for the most part but was a bit mundane and dull for quite a bit. Maybe that was her sadness. There was a decent soundtrack and the filming was actually pretty beautiful. Some shots reminded me of the best parts of Wicker Park and other drama-romances of the past ten years.

Ok so the whole “father-son” thing between Reeves and Plummer just didnt work and shouldn’t have been as prevalent in the movie. Plummer was way over the top and the whole situation didn’t really relate to the story. I didn’t see the point of it as it served as no real subtext for involving the character. That being said, the movie could have used some supporting members to give a few laughs maybe or even touch another type of nerve.

All in all, this one missed a bit with me. I would call it a cute romance for an adult date movie crowd. I would maybe even suggest teenagers checking this out if they’re into heavier themed romances. Looked good, sounded good but didn’t feel all that great. This guys getting a 5 out of 10 Bones for not totally reaching me the way I wanted and needed and serving as lighter romance.

RATING:

 “A wholly dissapointing half of a movie” 

Comic book movies have their uppers(Spider-Man, Batman Begins) and downers(Fantastic Four, The Punisher). X-Men has been a true constant in the realm of comic book movies.  Fans of the series, such as the nerd typing this review, could always depend on X-Men kicking ass and leaving us not wanting to wait.  Bryan Singer did such a good job with the first two movies that fans expected nothing less and with a cliff-hanger ending in X2 who could blame anyone for the excitement?

Then the proverbial shit hit the fan.  Singer dropped out to direct Superman Returns(!!!) and all these other directors attached themselves to the third X-Men installment.  Halle Berry wanted more money and screen time, and then the inclusion of Beast (Kelsey Grammar) drained more money out of the project so that other mutants couldn’t have larger roles, if any role at all.  All in all the production went through hell, and I knew this going in.

Brett Ratner ends up helming this “half-movie” and in a way I feel bad for him.  He’ll be compared to Singer for making this and perhaps that’s why I found this movie dissapointing.  But heres the deal: X-Men: The Last Stand will make a boat load of money, so throwing extra money in can only strengthen the movie.  More mutants, more screen time for exisiting mutants, and a longer story would satisfy fans and create better word of mouth.  As JoBlo.com reports, X3 lost 70% of it’s audience in the second week, possibly due to bad word of mouth.

This movie had the shortest run time of all three movies which made me angry.  If anything the sum of the parts needs to be the longest.  This time the story revolves around the return of Jean Grey/ Phoenix and the power she now posseses.  The world has also found a cure for mutants to turn them back to humans.  Magneto (Ian McKellen) stands to defend mutants while Professor Xavier (Patrick Stewart) seeks to create peace. 

There were some weird twists and turns in this movie which were entertaining and kind of cool and the action was on par.  However, this is all weighed down by a thin story, useless mutants getting more attention and a really rushed feel.  Storm(Halle Berry) isn’t that essential of a character and giving her a larger role was unnecessary.  Juggernaut(Vinnie Jones) is awful, as he doesn’t even look like Juggernaut.  So many relationships and conflicts are not adequately flushed out in this movie, and the movie feels incomplete as a result.  Too much was crammed into too little.

Hugh Jackman saved this movie as Wolverine.  He’s the anchor of this movie as he provides the only type of solidity throughout this crap-fest. The little thing after the credits is kind of lame as well, so don’t expect much.  Will they make an X4? Probably.  We’ll see how the action figure sales go with this one. Yes the movie was entertaining and there were moments of coolness, perhaps the last 20 minutes or so, but this one can be skipped.  I give this movie a 5 out of 10 Bones for wholly dissapointing me and for being a thin experience.

RATING:

“This one has me on the fence”

I’m a sucker for animated movies.  Shrek, Finding Nemo and even non-Toy Story movies like Treasure Planet and Titan AE all find a spot in my heart.  But to find a truely memorable animated movie nowadays is pretty slim. With stinkers like Madagascar and Chicken Little Barring the aforementioned Shrek,Toy Story and Finding Nemo opus’, the landscape seems to be more focused on what the studios can make money on in the action figure/toy market when designing latest releases.  Over the Hedge has me on the fence in that way.

Over the Hedge is a charming little story about R.J. the Raccoon(voiced by Bruce Willis) who is trying to pay back a bear for the food he lost.  In his way he meets just awakened Verne (voiced by Gary Shandling) and his “family” of ragtag misfits.  William Shatner, Avril Lavigne, Wanda Sykes and Steve Carrel all lend their talents to the various other animals.  While there are tender moments between the family, the star studded voice acting doesn’t always fit here.  I found Bruce Willis with R.J. to not fit specifically and somewhat with Avril Lavigne, to be specific.

Herein lies the problem I have with Over the Hedge: I liked this movie.  Enough to see it again.  But it did not leave me with the same sense of warmth that Shrek,Finding Nemo and others have left me with.  What viewers have here is a cute movie that succeeds in charming the audience for a good amount of the time. Yes it was funny…yes it had memorable characters…but did it give a message?  Did I get something out of this flick other than mild entertainment? No.

See the movie…maybe agree with me.  I loved the soundtrack, some of the characters, but still felt like something was missing here.  Animated films are tough because they have to appeal to both crowds.  This one does that…but missed somewhere with me.

I’m taking the high road on this one because I’ve given good ratings to movies that have just purely entertained me.  This one left me wondering; do I give this a good rating because I was charmed and entertained?  Or was this feeling of something missing making me second guess myself?  I’ll go ahead and give this the benefit of the doubt because it did win me over, but I’m saying see it to be entertained, charmed and maybe where I went wrong in deciding. I’m giving this a 7 out of 10 Bones because I liked it like an 8 but felt missing like a 6.

RATING: