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Superman: Brainiac (1999 Film)[]

Superman: Brainiac is a 1999 live-action film adapted from the character Superman directed by Luc Besson. The film is a reboot after the horrendous downfall of the Christopher Reeve's Superman films. The film stars Brendan Fraser as Superman/Clark Kent, Ray Park as the antagonist Brainiac, and Jennifer Connelly as reporter and, love interest of Superman, Lois Lane. The film released June 25, 1999 and was a critical and financial success, with critics saying "It is the best Superman film ever!" and "Definitely film of the year." and also grossing just over $650 million at the box office (Worldwide).

Cast[]

  • Brendan Fraser as Superman/Clark Kent - Superman is a compassionate alien from the planet Krypton who adopted Earth as his new home and blends in as Clark Kent and works at the Daily Planet in Metropolis with his fiancée Lois Lane. Fraser wasn't announced as Superman publicly because, Luc Besson wanted to keep it a secret until the first Trailer drop. In an interview Fraser states that "He wants to emphasize how humane Superman really is and, how far he will go to protect the ones he loves and his adopted home, Earth
  • Jennifer Connelly as Lois Lane - Clarks Fiancée and co-worker at the Daily Planet. Connelly was exited and enthusiastic that she reveled that she was playing Lois Lane in an interview at the premier of her movie Dark City.
  • Ray Park as Brainiac - The main antagonist of the movie, Brainiac is an alien who invades and steals cities from other worlds. Ray Park auditioned for Brainiac during the shooting of Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. He was given appraisal for his interpretation of Darth Maul and left fans craving for how he takes on Brainiac.
  • Jamie Kennedy as Jimmy Olsen - A young intern at the Daily Planet he is put under the wing of Lois Lane and makes friends with her and Clark.
  • Dustin Hoffman as Johnathan Kent - Clarks adopted father who raised him up to be the man he is and taught him how to be a good man, not a bad one.
  • Julie Andrews as Martha Kent - Clarks adopted mother who also raised Clark to the best of her ability and did all the things a mother would do for Clark.
  • Dan Hedaya as Perry White - Clark and Lois's boss who is portrayed as a drunk, low-life who likes things precisely how he wants them to be.
  • Bruce Willis as Lex Luthor - He showed up for a short cameo at the end of the film.

Plot[]

After, taking the cities of countless planets Brainiac decides to take the city of Metropolis after learning that a Kryptonian is there. Meanwhile on Earth, Superman who has been saving Metropolis for the past year now, stops an armed robbery at Metropolis National Bank and gets hailed as a hero once again. After, the failed robbery Lois Lane gets a surprise interview with a very flirtish Superman. The interview gets recognition everywhere as it was Superman's first interview. Perry White (Lois and Clark's boss) acknowledges this and sends them to do a report in Chicago on their rise in crime because, he believes Superman will be there and give another surprise interview.

Meanwhile, at a hidden U.S. base a military general and a bunch of scientists analyze a picture of Brainiac's ship and calculate that it will arrive in Earths atmosphere in approximately 3 days. Clark, Lois and Jimmy Olsen arrive in Chicago and while there booking an inn an alien ship lands a couple of miles away. Clark goes to investigate as Superman and gets greeted with a group of alien, looking robots. He struggles against the robots but, ultimately wins. After the battle, a military truck arrives at the scene of the battle and ask Superman to come with them. At the military base, the military general asks Superman to fly to the ship and destroy it before it arrives at Earth and causes problems. Superman agrees without hesitating and goes off to destroy it. Before, he heads of he tells Lois what's happening and they decide that only her and Jimmy do the case while he's gone. After, a long flight Superman arrives in front of the Brainiac ship which towers him. Brainiac speaks to Superman and tries to get in his head but, Superman prevails and rushed towards the ship but, fazes through it and, lands face to face with Brainiac. Brainiac tries to talk himself into Clarks head but, it doesn't work again so they engage in hand-to-hand combat. Brainiac weakens Superman with a Kryptonite stab to the chest. Before, Brainiac can finish Superman he flies out the ship with the little strength he has and falls back to Earth. He lands unconscious and badly injured.

He wakes up in his bedroom in his parents house and has a talk with his dad to lift his spirit back up and encourage him. Lois and Jimmy arrive back at Metropolis and turn in their report where Lois gets an earful from Perry White. Suddenly, Jimmy sticks up for Lois and tells off Perry White. Meanwhile, back at Smallville Clark does a series of workouts and exercises to gain his strength back to rematch Brainiac once he arrives. Though, in the distance he see Brainiac's ship enter the atmosphere and he knows its time. The world goes into panic after the sighting of Brainiac and, tanks and hundreds of soldiers arrive in Metropolis waiting for Brainiac to get closer. Lois gives a report claiming to not panic because, Superman will save the day but, he's nowhere to be found. The military finally sends a series of Nukes and Missiles but, don't even get past Brainiac's Ships Forcefield.

Suddenly, a army of robots fall to Earth destroying and killing anything in its sight. A beam on energy blasts into Metropolis as the sequence has now begun. When all sees lost to the people of Metropolis, Superman arrives and quickly makes work of Brainiac's army then heads to the ship. He enters the ship but, doesn't see Brainiac but, instead hears him. Finally, Brainiac shows himself and they battle it out. Just when Superman gets the upper hand, a probe goes into the back of Superman's head revealing to him his past and why he is, the way he is. Brainiac offers him a chance to surrender and watch his city crumble but, Superman refuses and defeats Brainiac leaving him in a near-death state. Superman goes around destroying things in the ship to explode it cancelling the shrinking of Metropolis and kills the rest of Brainiac's army. Superman walks around Metropolis seeing it in ruins saddens him. He reunites with Lois and they share a moment together.

3 months later, Clark and Lois are having their wedding with multiple family and friends. Meanwhile, at the Metropolis International Airport Lex Luthor exits his private plane and meets up with a scientist to reveal that project M.E.T.A.L.L.O. is underway.

Production[]

With it nearly being 10 years since the last Superman film, comic book writer Grant Morrison pitched a Superman film to Warner Bros, to hopefully get a call back that there in production. To his surprise the were beyond enthusiastic and wanted to start making it right away. Nearly a year later, Grant Morrison finished the final draft of the script and Warner Bros. hired Luc Besson who just came off The Fifth Elements success.

Just over a week later, top secret casting took place and ended shortly with them not having to think hard after auditions. Filming started Mid 1997 and finished in Late 1997. They filmed in Toronto, Canada, Greendale, Arizona, and Waco, Texas.

Marketing[]

The first trailer was shown at Comic-Con in 1998 as well as the reveal of the cast. It showed a few clips of Clark Kent with others before showing him in his suit halfway through the trailer. By the end we hear Brainiac's voice in the background and get a quick glimpse of his face. The trailer was played on MTV the day after and got fans excited.

Concept Art[]

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Release and Reception[]

The film released to packed theatres everywhere as its garnered a at the time huge opening weekend of $202 Million Worldwide. Fans and critics alike enjoyed the film as it got a Rotten Tomato score of 85% and an audience score of 92%.

Dan Schmidt from Variety called the film "A new refreshing take on the character that sets the bar for a new standard on how comic book films should be made." Critics loved Brendan Frasers adaptation of Superman calling it "A very accurate take to the comics which differs very heavily from the Christopher Reeve adaptation and, gives a very modern, relatable Superman."

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