Man of Steel

[johnnygobbs]

One thing I don't like the sound of is the film being almost humourless. It is perfectly fine to take your material seriously, but for Superman to lack heart is a darn shame. It seems like they still haven't got Superman right, but they're moving in the right direction.

Did the Nolan Batman films have much humour?   

[The Dark Knight]

One thing I don't like the sound of is the film being almost humourless. It is perfectly fine to take your material seriously, but for Superman to lack heart is a darn shame. It seems like they still haven't got Superman right, but they're moving in the right direction.

Did the Nolan Batman films have much humour?   

When they did it was cringeworthy. Wisecracking cops and the like. Superman lends itself to a more upbeat, friendly tone. I think it's a shame if the film comes off rather bleak and mechanical.You'd be surprised how easily a simple smile breaks the ice.

[johnnygobbs]

When they did it was cringeworthy. Wisecracking cops and the like. Superman lends itself to a more upbeat, friendly tone. I think it's a shame if the film comes off rather bleak and mechanical.You'd be surprised how easily a simple smile breaks the ice.

I totally agree on both points.  The Nolan attempts at humour were cringeworthy but like you suggest 'Superman' at least should be fairly light.

[The Joker]

I don't want to tempt any negative comments regarding the late great Roger Ebert but what did you make of his Batman and Batman Returns reviews The Joker?  There wasn't a whole lot of love for them from Ebert either.

Indeed. Which was surprising to me considering his praise of Batman Begins. As I distinctly remember Ebert appearing on Jay Leno back in 2005, and giving quick bullet points on why he enjoyed the film so much. I also remember his review for TMNT 1990 being less than stellar, which I felt was a pretty good adaptation of the early Mirage issues, but that was the case. Much like with the Burton films. Which, of course, I and alot of others thought were excellent films. Of course I can't say I agreed with every critical review, but his was indeed the only ones I paid any sort of attention to. Largely attributed to the Siskel and Ebert 'At the Movies' show during the '90's.

[The Dark Knight]

When they did it was cringeworthy. Wisecracking cops and the like. Superman lends itself to a more upbeat, friendly tone. I think it's a shame if the film comes off rather bleak and mechanical.You'd be surprised how easily a simple smile breaks the ice.

I totally agree on both points.  The Nolan attempts at humour were cringeworthy but like you suggest 'Superman' at least should be fairly light.

The best superhero movies have heart. Be it Peter Parker's day in the life montage set to 'Raindrops Keep Fallin' on my Head' or yes indeed, the finale of Batman Returns with Selina, Bruce and Max. With MOS, it seems the decision to darken the hue of the picture went across the board. They have given us action, and I am grateful for that. But perhaps have thrown the baby out with the bathwater and gone far one way.

[johnnygobbs]

The best superhero movies have heart. Be it Peter Parker's day in the life montage set to 'Raindrops Keep Fallin' on my Head' or yes indeed, the finale of Batman Returns with Selina, Bruce and Max. With MOS, it seems the decision to darken the hue of the picture went across the board. They have given us action, and I am grateful for that. But perhaps have thrown the baby out with the bathwater and gone far one way.

I hope you're wrong.  One of the reasons I have been so excited about seeing MOS is the trailer depicting scenes of Clark rescuing kids from a school bus and his adopted father's heart-to-heart scenes with him.  Those brief shots of Kevin Costner looking out for his kid and advising him to make difficult decisions in order to protect himself struck me as potentially very touching.  However, I was a little dismayed by the last trailer that tended to focus more on the action and big screen spectacle of it all.

I hope MOS has more of the former elements (i.e. heart) rather than simply being a dark, brooding, cold action/sci-fi movie.

[The Dark Knight]

A comment which struck a cord with me, is that there's no real difference once Clark puts on the super suit. He has a fly around the world but there's no real joy to be had afterwards. The Clark finding his place in the world/loneliness angle may carry over too much. I long had a fear that any emotion would come off as 'emo' and not genuinely heartfelt. Superman Returns had this problem.

[johnnygobbs]

A comment which struck a cord with me, is that there's no real difference once Clark puts on the super suit. He has a fly around the world but there's no real joy to be had afterwards. The Clark finding his place in the world/loneliness angle may carry over too much. I long had a fear that any emotion would come off as 'emo' and not genuinely heartfelt. Superman Returns had this problem.

Yeah, there's not much joy is these films.  I don't think you can really go looking for joy in Nolan or Goyer movies.  But that's not the same as being devoid of emotion.  Far from it.  It's just a different, more melancholy, sad type of emotion which to be fair the Dark Knight movies did pretty well for the most part.  But it's also the case that there wasn't many laughs or fun moments either particularly in contrast to the Burton Batman films or the Christopher Reeve Superman films for that matter (and I even include the generally poor but nevertheless enjoyable third and fourth films in that respect).

[The Joker]

A comment which struck a cord with me, is that there's no real difference once Clark puts on the super suit. He has a fly around the world but there's no real joy to be had afterwards. The Clark finding his place in the world/loneliness angle may carry over too much. I long had a fear that any emotion would come off as 'emo' and not genuinely heartfelt. Superman Returns had this problem.

Could very well be something that's explored in a follow-up. As it doesn't seem to be enough time allowed, within the film's structure, to permit scenes of Clark's role as Superman being anything remotely joyful.. As it appears to largely focus on his wanting to remain hidden in the world, while doing remarkable things throughout his life for good, and ultimately revealing himself in order to battle against Zod and his forces. His acceptance in the world, and later being more comfortable in his skin is something to look forward to, but doesn't appear to be the case with the initial MOS film. I'm not really getting that overly melodramatic Judeo-Christian comparison vibe from this as I did with SR (which really seemed to want to beat you over the head with that), which really bogged down the enjoyment factor, more so than any sombre tone Nolan/Goyer can offer, but we'll see.

[The Dark Knight]

Not to say the movie will be devoid of emotion. You have listed some scenes already - the bus rescue for example. But it's the frequency of such scenes. If melancholy/sad/emo took centre stage I'd be a little turned off, to tell you the truth.

Superman stories do carry a certain poignancy, especially their endings. All Star Superman - flying off into the sun to return one day. Birthright - Lara and Jor-El embracing while Krypton blows up. Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow? - depowering himself to live happily ever after with Lois after traumatic events.

I'm not about people flashing smiles every second or rattling off puns all the time. But tonal balance is always a good thing. Being Superman isn't all poor old me. I think Birthright captured this balance quite well. We''ll just have to wait and see.