In an opposite of what will become the norm on this list, Man Of Steel was a film immediately shunned by the general public, with those who enjoyed it being staunch Superman fans who could look through all the rubble to see an attempt to rejig the character. But even if you did like Zack Snyder's attempt to remake Batman Begins, there's no denying the film was regarded as a disappointment. And with that as a backdrop, maybe now people will look back on the final film of the original movie continuity with a little more favour. Giving us a taste of Bryan Singer's love of writing crappy films out of existence (it's an alternate sequel to Superman II that replaces III and The Quest For Peace), Superman Returns is one of the biggest nostalgia trips ever experienced at a cinema. Lovingly reprising key elements from the Richard Donner (and Lester) movies and delving very much into the emotions of its characters, the film is certainly not the same action-fest most superhero movies are, but that really makes it fresh rather than boring. Fans weren't too engaged. Although was critically well received audiences weren't queuing round the corner and soon a backlash against the film formed, finding it too nostalgic, never escaping homage to stand on its own two feet. While it had the major handicap of being about one of the least interesting mainstream superheroes, the film's lack of any lasting legacy comes from fans pushing this complaint, ignoring that there was plenty in there for that whole generation who didn't grow up with the Christopher Reeve version of Clark Kent. Singer recently said if he had another go at it, he'd have started completely afresh. Now that really would have been a mistake.
