Michael,
According to Elliot, he spent a couple of days smoking cigars with Mario Puzo
explaining Superman to him as Mario really hadn’t a clue of the material he was
dealing with. Elliot actually read Mario’s script prior to it being rewritten
by the Newmans, which did feature Superman dealing with the nuclear missiles
Luthor launched, but lacked the time travel element which the Newmans later
added. Elliot was asked to write a novel - eventually released as LAST SON OF
KRYPTON - that was to be released between the 1st 2 Superman films for
marketing purposes, as Mario contractually had to be offered the novelizations
of the 1st 2 films. As he never got around to either adaptation, the
publication schedule of Elliot’s novel was moved up, with the publishers using
the cover art that had been prepared for Mario’s novelization. (As a side note:
Elliot was offered the job of adapting the script of SUPERMAN III as a novel
but turned it down as he didn’t like the story, preferring instead to work on
his own material.)
Personally, I think you’re looking at WW84 from the wrong perspective, as the
Donner SUPERMAN films will always rank high with both Elliot & myself. Both of
us look at WW84 as a successful invocation of an era long ago done with love
and respect. The creators hearts were definitely in the right place. Donner’s
SUPERMAN also has the benefit of 40+ years of setting the standard for
everything to come after. WW84 is a worthy successor in many ways that many
films which came after haven’t been. You can’t say that MAN OF STEEL or BATMAN
V SUPERMAN are anywhere near worthy successors of the Donner films.
Ken Penders
On Jan 17, 2021, at 6:34 AM, Michael Lustig <michael.lustig@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
WW84 certainly wasn't the worst superhero movie, but it *cannot* be properly
compared to 1978's Superman! Without getting into the details of superior
cinematography (Unsworth), script (lots of tinkering), director (Donner), and
stars (Brando!, Hackman!, etc.), the mere fact that the points where the
plot/origin presented in Superman deviated from the previous canon - and then
ultimately became the new canon - speaks to the deep influence of the movie
on the comics. It essentially reversed the 'natural' creative direction!
From a pure-movie standpoint, Superman & WW84 are so not-in-the-same-league,
such that it's somewhat embarrassing to even be having this discussion. With
all due respect to Elliot S! Maggin, I must disagree with his comparison.
I watched the movie on its first day of release on HBO Max, but I'm
definitely *not* rushing to see it again. It's worth a first viewing if you
can see it for 'free', but having seen it already I would now tell my
three-weeks-ago self that there's no reason to make any special effort to see
it.
-Michael
On Sun, Jan 17, 2021 at 2:22 AM Andy Mangels <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>> wrote:
I also found it better on the second viewing, allowing my expectations to
calm down, and to realize that some of my complaints HAD been addressed by
small bits of dialogue that had sailed by on the first viewing.
It's not the first film, but neither does it deserve some of the critical
bricks thrown at it.
Best,
Andy Mangels
AMangelsSW@xxxxxxx <mailto:AMangelsSW@xxxxxxx>
www.andymangels.com <http://www.andymangels.com/>
-----Original Message-----
From: Kin Wong <skizzoid@xxxxxxxxx <mailto:skizzoid@xxxxxxxxx>>
To: comicartl@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:comicartl@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sat, Jan 16, 2021 5:13 pm
Subject: [comicart-l] Re: WW1984
I recognize that there are (several) flaws with the movie, but I still really
enjoyed it in spite of them. It didn't meet my high expectations going in,
but a second viewing helped me appreciate it for what it wants to be/say.
The comparison to the Donner Superman movies is apt.
On Sat, Jan 16, 2021 at 5:49 PM Malcolm Bourne <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>> wrote:
So who has seen WW1984? We watched it this evening on TV, it’s on a “rent for
48 hours” basis in the UK just now. Anyone got any opinions?
Malcolm
Sent from a galaxy far far away
