Superman's new costume (is kinda weird)
On Friday, Warner Bros. unveiled the first look at Brandon Routh in costume as the new Superman [click pic to zoom in], and I've spent a considerable amount of time since then scratching my head in dismay. All in all, I have to say I'm disappointed and confounded by the redesign. First off, the signature "S" insignia has been shrunk into a strange passivity, and is now some sort of weird breastplate badge attached to the suit (rather than an integral part of the suit itself). Plus it's been boldly duplicated into the belt buckle, which takes away from its impact - while also accentuating the now (too) low-cut trunks, which are distractingly Speedo-esque. And while I don't mind the new blue, I really dislike the overly muted deep scarlet, which should be a more vibrant, vital red. And then there's the now-circular collar, which has been severely constrained, with the cape meekly poking out of the sides, rather than flourishing out from across the collarbones.
Unfortunately, the mainstream press - like USA Today - have almost completely failed to notice these changes, but fans on the internet haven't - and are proceeding to redesign the redesign. (Two choice examples are by Graig Weich at Beyond Comics and dualedge on MCN.)
I mean, c'mon. This is Superman, dammit...
P.S.: Turner Classic Movies will present the original Superman this Thursday at 10pm (9pm CST) in its full letterboxed glory. (You can of course also buy the Special Edition DVD, which is a must-have.)
posted by Paul at 9:45 PM [Permalink]
18 Comments:
I like the new Superman the other one is like so 50s and looks like an old fart costume. the new one rules!
I agree, the low rise briefs are way hotter than the grandpa underwear and although, the "S" repeated on the belt, the colors work for film better than the vibrant,cartoony colors necessary for a comic or graphic novel. To most non-fans, the older colors are too goofy. It's the same with Robin in the movies or the X-Men; thank God they didn't wear "yellow spandex."
I totally agree. I, too, think the 'S' should be bigger on his chest and a part of the fabric. And the guys boots are kinda...short. I also don't like the red; like you said, it's too dark.
Lastly, though, I'm not really liking the guy they picked to wear the suit. I mean, Tom Welling should be up there. Enough said.
Its very contraversial when people talk about new and old costumes. In batman they didn't have a good redesign till batman begins. I personally think that there is logical explianations to why everything is like it is on the new superman costume. It is also probably easier for the special effects to look more realistic. The new shaping of a superhero's costume is not a rare event it happens every ten years or so.
I agree with you 100%, there is nothing like the good old cherry red-n-electric blue superman...and that shiny gold lame' belt? Nothing else beats it...your blog is fabuloso!
I AGREE WITH YOU 100%
they definitely make the S way too small
and the colors aren't right and the neck should be the square like always. I just don't see why they have to change something that already looks awesome.
I understand his costume is switched a little bit every 10 years but what they did here was a little more than a little switch.
They switched most of the main things in the superman costume at once which makes it much more noticeable to the fans.
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I think the new custom and the guy in it are totally better than before.
The new guy looks too emo to be superman! S needs to be larger, and to the person who said that it was too hard to get the colors to be good on film - Look at the old film! They did a good job then. There was absolutely no reason to 'sexify' this Superman... confounded hollywood execs...
Cool blog.
Well, I see all the points of view and concider them. Ok, maybe the costume isn't what Superman SHOULD be like, (kind of taking away from the original), but I see NOTHING wrong with the actor they chose to be Superman. He did a wonderful job! I mean, you can never beat the original, am I right? But people re-make films all the time! Brandon Routh did an excellent job and I am impressed with his performance.
I like the new suit, because, come on, it is 2006, not 1978, which i love the 1978 movie, and nothing tops Chris, in those movies, but i think Brandon did a very good job acting as superman, and he kinda looks a little bit like Chris, well good movie well done and good Superman suit and actor
I totally agree with that the whole costume was totally oddd..... The old costume seem more original ..... specially the neck issue and cape issue i totally agree with that the cape should be spreaded on the collars and shoulders... plus the new costume has boots with spice girl heels to make Brondon 6 feet 4 I guess they should bring in Tom Welling instead and make the boots with no heel like original... The "S" very small and it shouldn't be like a metal plate attached to the costume.... i agree... plus the yellow "S" on the cape should be brought back it looked nice... in short the whole old costume was more appropiate like in comics... The new one looks quite robotic
Seriously if you as for my comments then.... Tom welling deserves to be Superman rather than Routh.. Why.... Superman's physical description doesn't suite on Routh ... Superman is supposed to be broad and Welling is broad while Routh is not... Superman is supposed to be huge like 6 feet 4 which Welling is, and to make Routh 6 feet 4 they got Routh with high heel spice girls shoes and focused them in the begining on top of the aircraft... what a joke... The old Chris. Reeve Superman Suit was more original which should be brought back.... The only reason which i think Routh was chosen as Superman was he resembles Reeve as Clark Kent.... but i think we should get outta that Reeve frame as we won't get the best Superman as Reeve again and give chance to people who deserves it more... like Welling in my opinion Welling is a perfect choice for Superman and yes face wise Welling has the same comic broad jaw stucture which Routh doesn't have... Welling is phyically fit for the Super Suit but i think Routh needs more excersice to make him broad cause right now Routh looks like Coca Cola bottle in that dress.... thin from top broad from hips and again with hocky style thin legs.
I am totally not against Routh he is a fine and handsome person but not fit for Superman..... Plus I agree the movie was busted due to the week story and plot.... plus there are many flaws like... Superman who is vunerable to Kryptonite should've been fallen down when entered that Luthor's Kryptonite Island rather than lanfding properply and finding it out later that he is powerless when Luthor hits him.... Plus how can Supermsn lift that Kryptonite island as we all know and have seen in the old Superman and in Smallville that how vunerable he is to Kryptonite that he can't even move or stand in front of it.... How come Loius Lane's child possesed Super powers cause when Superman and Loius had sex in Superman-II ; Superman gave up all his powers to get her..... though it was temperory change but at that moment Superman was powerless..... And most of all the the mom doesn't know who's child was Jason until be pushed the piano away was a total crap.... And I agree with Jonniej Superman Returns was Actually an altered Superman-I from Chris. Reeve era.
Tom Welling is the only one deserves that role for Superman after Chis. Reeve... Thumbs Up!!!!...... About Dean Cane I dont think he's got that X-Factor of Superman.... Question is when all the world wanna see Tom welling as Superman then WHY Waner Bros. trying to put ROUTH as Superman again in the sequal..... I have given a thousand reasons for Welling to be Superman and for Routh Not to be..... Plus I agree with you on that Lex Luthor Thing people are sick of watching a same villian in Superman movies things should be different now..... Bring DOOMSDAY or any other villain.... BUT AGAIN THUMBS UP FOR TOM WELLING.... IS THERE ANY WAY FOR THESE COMMENTS TO BE POSTED TO WARNER BROS..... IF ANYONE KNOWS KINDLY TELL ME... I REALLY WANNA SEE TOM WELLING AS SUPERMAN IN THE NEXT MOVIE... AND PLEASE BRING BACK THE OLD SUPERMAN COSTUME WHICH SEEM MORE ORIGINAL....
I agree that the costume's red is too dark. The bikini trucks are weird making Superman seem to be an exhibitionist. The raised "S" is OK but is diffidently TOO small. The biggest error in the costume is the missing yellow "S" on the cape.
i agree ith that the "S" on the cape is missing and it should be brought back.....
I agree Tom Welling is the best choice to play superman. He was born to play superman. Next to Christopher reeve Tom Welling is next best choice. He is already fantastic in Smallville, and he should go on to be superman in the sequel.
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