The writing is close-textured and sinewy--an ingenious heist scam enough in itself to fuel most regular thrillers, is thrown away in the first 15 minutes--and a matchless ensemble cast give it all they've got. The film plays intricate games with perception and belief: the more we're shown and told, the less we can rely on. Who is Keyzer Soze? Does he exist at all? Even after we've seen the final twist, questions still remain. This is a film to s...
The Usual Suspects..., 2010-02-17
This modern day film noire directed by Bryan Singer and written by Christopher McQuarrie was along with Se7en the most talked about and argued about films of 1995, with its convoluted plot and intricate wordplay where every word spoken could be a clue to the plot that enfolds in front of your eyes and ears, my friends and I were talking about the climax of this movie for days.

The cast of superb actors which includes Gabriel Byrne, Kevin Spacey, Benicio Del Toro and Stephen Baldwin the scenes that include all these players are nothing short of a master class in acting where all the player concerned play off each other with great effect.

This masterpiece of cinema deservedly won the best screenplay Oscar and best supporting actor Oscar for the wonderful Kevin Spacey in 1995.
The film is a modern day classic with all the elements of great film making coming together are presented in this DVD in 2.35:1 aspect and superb 5.1 surround sound a true must have for your collection.

But that's very much a good thing. Whilst it doesn't quite, and nor did it need to, perform the major surgery that Batman Begins had to undertake on the Dark Knight's adventures, Singer nonetheless leaves distance between his film and some of its predecessors (although there are respectful tips of the hat to the first two films, not least the nostalgia-inducing credits sequence).

The plot finds Superman returning to Earth after several years away, to discover that the world has moved on in his absence. It's not as safe, Lex Luthor is out of prison, and Lois Lane now has a family. Which is the cue for a lot of soul searching, slower, tender moments and character development that divided some se...
The Greatest Superhero Film Ever Made, 2010-03-11
I know, a big statement to make. But from my perspective it is the best. Also, I'm not in the habit of handing five star reviews out frivolously.

Other reviews here have handled the plot, but needless to say Lex Luthor (Kevin Spacey) is out of jail and up to his old tricks. Superman meanwhile has been AWOL for the past few years and returns to a world that on the surface has learned to live without him.

Bryan Singer crafted a truly astonishing film, one that is referential to the character in the extreme, but if there was one to be referential about, then Superman it is.
The one major criticism leveled at the film is that their isn't any action. Does there need to be? That is what Batman, Spiderman, the X-men, and Hulk are for. Superman is about being a hero, and no, that doesn't mean pounding your enemies into the ground the first opportunity you get. In fact if you look at it, Superman is the pretty much the only superhero who doesn't need a nemesis to define him. His character is about being a saviour in times of crisis, not a punisher of evildoers.
So no, there isn't much beat'em up action, as the criticism goes, "he doesn't throw a single punch". So what. He saves a falling jumbo jet, in one of most stunning set pieces of recent years, lifts run away cars to safety, catches falling people, rescues a sinking yacht and restores crumbling skyscrapers. What more do people want?

If you have a love of the character, then there are several moments that brought a tear to my eye. One of admiration, one of sorrow, and one of joy. All because this is a rare thing, a $200,000,000 film with a heart, and interest beyond making it's budget back at the box office. Very few films (especially in that budget range) can say that, and do you know what? Those are usually the best.

I'll be fair and talk about the things wrong with it. Kate Bosworth as Lois Lane didn't work, people point to her being too young, but in all honesty I just didn't believe she was Lois Lane for a second. The same cannot be said of the rest of cast, all were very believable. Like pretty much every blockbuster of last ten years, it's far too long, but I'm not sure what they could cut without harming the film. For some reason Bryan Singer wanted to tie the film to Richard Donner's first two Superman films continuity and ignore the two sequels to those. But it doesn't quite work, they show some of origin story here anyway, and who doesn't know a little bit about Superman's origin? Certainly no one who is going bother to watch this film, so just make it a standalone and keep the basic Donner style, which the film does anyway.

I went for a special two disc edition, don't know why, I hardly ever watch special features. But the special features are plentiful, tons of interviews and behind the scenes docs. While stuff on the character of Superman himself is moderately interesting, if you didn't know much about him already.

I dare say anyone looking for an in your face action spectacular is going to be very disappointed. If that is why you are looking at this film, turn and find another one. On the superhero end of spectrum Singer's first two X men, the first two Spider men and Nolan's Batman films, and the Hellboys are more action packed and are all great films in their own right.

The writing is close-textured and sinewy--an ingenious heist scam enough in itself to fuel most regular thrillers, is thrown away in the first 15 minutes--and a matchless ensemble cast give it all they've got. The film plays intricate games with perception and belief: the more we're shown and told, the less we can rely on. Who is Keyzer Soze? Does he exist at all? Even after we've seen the final twist, questions still remain. This is a film to s...
The Usual Suspects..., 2010-02-17
This modern day film noire directed by Bryan Singer and written by Christopher McQuarrie was along with Se7en the most talked about and argued about films of 1995, with its convoluted plot and intricate wordplay where every word spoken could be a clue to the plot that enfolds in front of your eyes and ears, my friends and I were talking about the climax of this movie for days.

The cast of superb actors which includes Gabriel Byrne, Kevin Spacey, Benicio Del Toro and Stephen Baldwin the scenes that include all these players are nothing short of a master class in acting where all the player concerned play off each other with great effect.

This masterpiece of cinema deservedly won the best screenplay Oscar and best supporting actor Oscar for the wonderful Kevin Spacey in 1995.
The film is a modern day classic with all the elements of great film making coming together are presented in this DVD in 2.35:1 aspect and superb 5.1 surround sound a true must have for your collection.