Superman gets a makeover
By Olivia Siong | Posted: 16 October 2008 0843 hrs

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RATING:

SINGAPORE: If you haven’t heard the latest news, Superman has just acquired a new disguise.

He’s ditched the blue spandex suit and hideous red underwear he wore for the world to see and in its place is a wardrobe of multi-coloured Hawaiian shirts and cargo pants. Red cape is optional and for good will.

Oh yes, Superman also no longer hangs around the United States of America. Instead, he has caught the K-wave and is now saving and helping people around the bustling city of Seoul, Korea.

“If I were Superman” is the latest Korean drama comedy to hit the big screens and follows the adventures of disgruntled, chain-smoking film producer, Song Soo-jung (“My Sassy Girl’s” Jun Ji-Hyun) in her attempt to seek out newsworthy human interest stories.

When the cynical Song gets robbed one day, it is “Superman” (“You are my sunshine’s” Hwang Jung Min) who comes to her rescue.

This chance encounter results in Song chronicling in her documentary video, the mysterious, mentally unstable “Superman” who goes about helping others despite claiming that he’s lost all his superhuman powers as villains have put kryptonite in his head.

Along the way, the journalist learns many unexpected, but nonetheless sobering ,life lessons.

This movie is one which audiences will either love or hate.

It is yet another story that has a strong ‘green’ and underlying moral message, that is bound to make you both laugh and cry.

Though for a change, this production, unlike other weepy Korean drama counterparts, doesn’t have you welling-up over star-crossed lovers or someone dying of a terminal illness.

In fact, this film is very obviously lacking a lovey-dovey story line, and I am not complaining.

Another departure from norm is the movie’s lack of actors that score in the looks department. This is made up tremendously instead by heavy weight actors Hwang and Jun, who makes her return to the big screen after taking a two year hiatus.

Under the direction of Chung Yung-Chul (“Marathon”), the actors portray their characters to the tee as the movie weaves seamlessly between reality and the world of fantastical superhero imagination.

While the movie’s plot may leave you feeling slightly confused at moments, this doesn’t last for long.

Though the storyline may seem complicated at times, at the end of the day the message from “Superman” is simple and clear:

“Save the world, change the future!”

This is one enjoyable movie which will leave you inspired to unleash the Superhero within yourself.

- CNA