In an interview with the UK’s Daily Record, Margot Kidder, who played Lois Lane alongside Christopher Reeve’s Superman, says she isn’t really fond of the recent Superman films, including “Superman Returns” and “Man of Steel”.
“I’ve a real beef with whoever refuses to give Amy Adams any good lines, because she’s a great actor. She’s been short changed. And Kate Bosworth didn’t get anything to do.
“I saw our Superman recently, and it’s a straightforward story about good and bad. No dark undertones, full of primary colours, not murky menopause pink or whatever the hell it is.
“I hate computerised blockbusters. When we were doing stunts, you knew it was really us, and that gave it a little edge. The difference now is night and day.”
Source: DailyRecord.co.uk
Wait for it….
Ouch!
Well, Ms. Kidder, times have changed. Can’t physically work with a character like Superman without digital input these days. Please understand that the only reason why it was done in a way you like is because of the simple, less advanced times you lived in. And a straightforward story between good and evil isn’t exactly interesting in the media like it used to be. Everyone likes the idea of a more detailed story depicting an imperfect protagonist and a layered antagonist. In other words, Ms. Kidder’s main issue is nostalgia. Can’t blame her, though. The Reeve films were quite special… Read more »
Every point within your first two paragraphs is a falsehood. New Superman movies could be made with similar style and tech of 1982, and they would definitely be superior to what we have now. When a formula ain’t broke, you don’t try to “fix” it. These new attempts only make us appreciate the first two installments that much more. Being trendy does not make a movie more watchable at all.
Dude, I know very few people who wish to go back to the limitations of digital tech from the 80s. Today’s tech captures Superman’s power and abilities FAR better. And I don’t know who “us” is, but I never really liked or cared for the Chris Reeve films. Too corny and fantastical for me. I wasn’t able to get into Superman live-action film until MOS; before then, I stuck to comics and animation. And you are partially right. Trendy doesn’t mean watchable…for some. If you did the same thing with Donner’s films for today’s world, it’d be laughed out of… Read more »
“Every point within your first two paragraphs is a falsehood”
It’s not and particularly when it comes to D-El’s first paragraph. If you think good CGI is expensive, you should see what roughly the same result with practical effects costs. People tend to forget that anything involving computers is cost-effective in comparison. There is a reason that animation isn’t hand-drawn anymore.
Not every character needs to be Bojack Horseman to be interesting. A good character isn’t memorable because of their immense complexity or self-conflicting ideals. When you get down to it, people aren’t going to remember (Christopher Reeve)Superman’s decision to strip his powers away for the love of Lois Lane, nor the later realization that he has to sacrifice a normal life and love if he is to protect the world. We don’t recall the complex decisions he has to make, but rather how ernest and charming and confident he was. We remember how much of a Superman he really was,… Read more »
Well I think the lady has a point on both counts. “Everyone likes the idea of a more detailed story depicting an imperfect protagonist and a layered antagonist.” It’s actually ok for some things in our fiction to be straight forward. Complicated doesn’t automatically equal deep. ..and the “imperfect protagonist” thing has been blown completely out of proportion. In Superman case it comes from the false premise that he was ever perfect (this idea that any character with a conscience and/or is successful in doing good deeds is “too perfect” or not “badass”). Also I don’t think there’s anything wrong… Read more »
Well, I never said Superman was perfect. He’s FAR from it. Has been for a very long time. When I said that, I was referring to what people enjoy in the hero of today’s tales. Like we both agree, Superman is by no means perfect. In the comics, he has more than his fair share of problems and dilemmas (don’t get me started on how many times he’s gone to the Fortress of Solitude to reflect on such things). The important thing though is that he does what he considers morally right. At the end of the day, despite setting… Read more »
Excellent points. . .that will be ignored immediately. 😉
@Matt Comics
Excellent points. . .that will be ignored immediately.
Well Said MattComics ! Well said indeed.
Well, I don’t blame her. Seems to me WB doesn’t know how to make great Superman movies anymore. I always have thought that they should have created a reboot similar to the “secret origins” Superman comic book instead of creating a spiritual sequel to the first two Superman movies. But it was a missed oppunsity for WB. Hopefully the new Superman on “Supergirl” can make up for it.
I understand her POV regarding stuntwork in a film. I actually love good ol fashioned action movies with real explosions, car chases and wire works when falling off a building, Cliff, etc. I really do. But superhero films have evolved over the years and a charachter like Superman is not excluded. He is such a fantastically visual charachter and certain scenes showcasing his abilities need to be done through CGI. She should be proud that back in her day they did the impossible and made a whole generation believe a man can fly. Verisimilitude!! I’ll always love her films with… Read more »
For all the talk of CGI, they still haven’t scratched the surface with Superman and his abilities. The latest films boil him down to strength, flight, and heat vision.
^ Well in fairness to them, they don’t seem to have a clue that they’re supposed to be depicting Superman. 😉
A scene I really enjoy and think is underrated in SR is when Superman is saving Metropolis. He uses all of his abilities with the exception of x-ray vision. Hopefully, we get to see a similar scene with Cavill in it.
That’s a problem with the director, not the technology. Snyder utilizes Superman as a power-house in every scene. It fits his notion of an “epic mythical tale”. I miss the finesse of Superman’s use of his abilities as well, but it’s not an issue with employing the tech, it’s entirely a creative approach.
The only power they haven’t shown in the DCEU is superbreath, what are you talking about?
I’m all for a bit of Snyder-bashing, but Kidder kinda comes across like a crotchety old person yelling how things were better “back in my day!!” I don’t appreciate her no-nonsense answers, mind you. I just think she comes across a bit short-sighted here. Specifically, her complaints about CGI. I won’t deny a growing resentment for the technology and its overuse, but I also can’t bring myself to suggest things were totally better off before it. Everyone’s mentioned the story-telling impacts of it, but allow me to suggest another… Safety. James Cameron once complained about the extreme danger of a… Read more »
Ugh. That should’ve said “I DO appreciate her no-nonsense answers…”
I’m going to have to get better at proofreading myself sense the “edit” option is gone.
I do think it’s strange that for all its vaunted budget so much of the flying in the new movies is from a distance with only the occasional medium or up close shot. I mean that’s barely any better than Tom Wellings CG mini-me buzzing about in the Smallville finale. The flying effects for the Donner films really put you in the moment of it IMO. With Supergirl I actually get some of that and really it doesn’t bother me that the effect is considerably less polished. Like you could dog the shot of Supergirl flying and Flash running from… Read more »
Say what you will about Margot’s mind, but she’s clearly never lost her sense of what a good movie is and isn’t. She’s not a fan of the new “Superman” movies? Neither are we, Margot. Well said. But don’t expect anyone at WB or DC to listen to you anytime soon…. Not as long as Dido and Snyder are still in charge, anyway. And while I think CGI can look good when it’s used to fill in places rather than to generate an entire film (Titanic was a good example of this), I do agree with her on the CG… Read more »
Just read the article in its entirety, not just the Superman excerpts, and wow, what a cool person Margot Kidder is. I definitely think Margot’s natural curiosity and outgoing-ness is what helped to make her a great Lois Lane…not to mention her sense of humor. No live action Lois Lane actress has come close to having as vivid/charismatic a personality as her in recent years… And while Dana Delaney is my all time favorite Lois Lane (when we’re including all mediums (radio, TV, games, cartoons, movies, etc.)), Margot remains my favorite live action version of the character, and has many… Read more »
SIR LET’S PLEASE REFRAIN FROM TALKING OR BRINGING UP POLITICS ON THIS OR ANY OTHER COMMENT SECTION. THANK YOU
I’m sorry, it was my understanding that this article linked to a story about an interview with an actress, one in which she expressed her political views, therefore making her political comments fair game for this thread. A suggestion, though: if politics is to be off limits — and I agree, in the open forums, that’s a move for the better — perhaps the editors may want to rethink the homepage caption picture this week (re: Superman being sworn into presidency). How one can post politically baiting imagery, and ask for it to be captioned, then expect there to be… Read more »
I don’t like talking about politics. That issue is for other forums so it’s best to leave it is on this site. We know that you don’t like the current state of Superman on film and yet there are others who appreciate the fact that there is a Superman on film currently. And soon on TV. We all tend to be nostalgic about certain events and memories, but noone really miss their baby carriage. The past should be cherished and appreciated for what STM has brought us and made us believe a man can really fly, but what’s most important… Read more »
What was the point of this? It sounds like you didn’t even read what I wrote. Again, you operate on the premise that I dislike new things because they are new, and equate new with bad, when I dislike new things when they are bad, and dislike changes that are bad, not because they are “new”. “New”, and “change”, by itself, are neither good nor bad… It depends on what it isn’t that’s new and what it is that’s changing. This is very plainly different from just disliking something because it’s “new”. Why are you always up my @$$ in… Read more »
Yes kel. Whatever you say kel
OKAY YOU 2, IF YOU HAVE A BEEF WITH EACH OTHER HASH IT OUT VIA PERSONAL MESSAGES, NOT ON THE COMMENT BOARD.
What??? I have no beef with him!! My comment was as civil as it gets!!!
This is not worth my time, Sir!
I’m puzzled by the fact that Margot said, “And Kate Bosworth didn’t get anything to do.” I don’t understand this and I wish she explained this. Is Margot comparing her Lois Lane to Kate’s? I know both Lois’ were saved by Superman at least twice in Superman The Movie and Superman Returns. Both interviewed Superman on a roof. Both took romantic flights with Superman. Both smoked. However, Kate’s Lois figured out where Lex Luthor was. Margot’s did not, nor did she provide anything [that I can remember] that actually helped Superman do anything. Kate’s Lois actually saved Superman’s life. Margot’s… Read more »
I saw both Superman Returns and Man of Steel and thought they were both good, not perfect but I admit I do miss the goodness that was the original Superman movies. I agree that Lois has had really nothing to do or say whether its Singer or Snyder writing stuff for Kate and Amy. I actually read J.J. Abrams script for Superman Flyby and in it you had a really strong Lois with lines that helped me respect Lois Lane again. But I think DC’s direction lately is making Lois less respected because she’s a reminder of Jerry Siegel’s wife… Read more »
I myself loved the films Superman Returns and Man of Steel. Times indeed have changed since Margot Kidder first portrayed Lois Lane. But I do agree with Margot Kidder that there’s too much CGI in Superman films these days. The films with Margot Kidder and Christopher Reeve will always have a special place in my heart. 🙂
I will agree with her so far as the color and brightness goes and some of the CGI looking very obvious. But that aside it’s a bit for Kidder to bring up stuff about Man of Steel and BvS in general when you consider that Margot’s Lois was basically a nasty dumbo who yelled and screamed a lot. While I feel that Amy Adams should be given more to work with – given how much Lois does in comics – she has been a far better presence on screen than Kidder. And there is a lot more going on in… Read more »