Following closely on the heels of our disappointing desi superhero Krrish, Superman Returns comes as an even bigger letdown. While the entire world might be hailing the film for investing some tender feelings into the Man of Steel, it’s this emotional angle that’s unrealised and tiresome. Superman’s loneliness, despair, unfulfilled love and yearning—none of it is deeply moving. The film plays overly romantic with the Superman-Lois Lane relationship but the romance is tepid and passionless. And in catering to such sentimentality, the movie forgets its real agenda: entertainment, action and excitement. The thrills are of the crash-boom-bang variety which leave you with a headache rather than take your breath away. In fact, the only truly eye-popping moment is when a speeding bullet zips into Superman’s eyeball only to be flattened by his steely peepers. We could have done with more of it.
So after six years, Superman returns to Daily Planet to find that the world, more so Lane, has moved on. She has won the Pulitzer for an article, Why the world doesn’t need a Superman, is now in a steady relationship and also has a fragile son to take care of. But the more things change, the more they remain the same. Superman has to step in to save the world, Lane and fight his prime adversary Lex Luther (Spacey) who is intent on destroying America.
I watched the film at Imax, putting those glasses on for four crucial 3D sequences. All to get thrilled by the hidden dimensions of high-tech cinema. That was the only fun part and it still couldn’t add zing to the long, plodding narrative. Clichés, stereotypes, bloomers, lack of logic—there’s a lot more to nitpick on. One way of killing boredom is to keep a look out for our Indian-origin boy, Kal Penn (aka Kalpen Modi) of Harold and Kumar fame, who plays the villain’s chief sidekick. Did he get to speak even a single word in this prized role? Almost all the actors are straight-faced and unexceptional. Save Kevin Spacey as the outlandish villain. The biggest disaster, of course, is Brandon Routh as Superman. The man doesn’t have an ounce of charisma and at best can only be described as an expressionless log of wood. In retrospect, I’d settle for our own delectable Hrithik.
High Fives
Bollywood
1. Krrish
2. Phir Hera Pheri
3. Fanaa
4. Superman (dubbed)
5. Mission Impossible III (dubbed)
Hollywood
1. Superman Returns
2. The Devil Wears Prada
3. Click
4. Cars
5. Nacho Libre
English Folk
1. Must I Paint U a Picture (Billy Bragg)
2. Fives Leaves Left (Nick Drake)
3. Liege and Lief (Fairport Convention)
4. Bryter Layter (Nick Drake)
5. Pink Moon (Nick Drake)
Courtesy: Film Information
