Full-Length Fan Film
Can Low-Budget Capture an American Icon?

We've all seen them on the Internet, short films made by fans of pop culture icons like The Matrix or Star Wars. These low-budget works are usually short, from five to 20 minutes. Often they are merely teasers, a movie trailer enticing viewers as if a full-length story does exist (or maybe would someday). In the new OCD Productions release of Superman: Luthor for President, they actually create a full-length fan film, something that in and of itself is impressive.

Superman: Luthor for President
Lex Luthor (Jason Bailey) gets a photo-op with the Man of Steel (Michael Walters) in the fan film Superman: Luthor for President. (O.C.D. Productions, 2004)
Directed by: Jason Bailey
Written by: Jason Bailey and Michael Walters, based on the Superman comic book from DC Comics
Starring: Jason Bailey, Michael Walters, Enrique Arce, Cerris Morgan-Moyer, Dan Cole, and Alan Booth

Rated Not Rated
Running time: 90 min.

FilmGuru's Rating : 2 out of 10.

First, let me say that this isn't a DVD you will find on the shelves of your local video store. The good folks at OCD Productions have been making Superman: Luthor for President available via word of mouth on the Internet. As luck has it, I found a post about it on a DC Comics bulletin board and requested a copy. They were kind enough to oblige.

Superman: Luthor for President is an adaptation of the DC Comics storyline behind the villain Lex Luthor (Jason Bailey) gaining the presidency of the United States. Lex, easily the most powerful man in Metropolis, sees the office of the White House as the ultimate power block to his nemesis, Superman (Michael Walters). If he can gain the presidency, Superman will be at his mercy because the Man of Steel always supports the establishment.

Superman, however, isn't concerned. When Bruce Wayne (aka Batman) -- played by Alan Booth -- calls on the phone to discuss the situation, Superman suggests that Lex could never get elected, "The people aren't stupid. (pause) No, I'm not being naive." It's a classic moment, where Superman shows his respect for the American democratic process despite what it means to him. But Batman isn't sure that having a President Luthor is a good idea. The Dark Knight takes steps to make sure that the most powerful man in the free world doesn't have a super lackey to shove around.

The production of Superman: Luthor for President is character driven. This is another way of saying that it has almost no special effects. The opening montage is silent with some classical music over the top. There's usually nothing wrong with this, but it goes on way too long -- making me wonder if the entire film was silent.

In retrospect, it couldn't have hurt. The acting was stilted at best. Bailey isn't bad as Luthor, but he also doesn't project the strength of will and underlying wickedness that makes him a true villain. The only one who came close to capturing his character was Enrique Arce as Bane. Arce is the most comfortable in his performance, although he starts to get a bit over the top by the end of his one scene. Dan Cole, who played Otis, was good, but his performance was stolen from Ned Beatty's interpretation of the character in the 1978 film Superman. As for Cerris Morgan-Moyer' portrayal of Lois Lane, let's just say that she's not "super."

The production values are marginal. Poor lighting, sound, and film resolution plague the film. Shots of television and video monitors are distorted. The costumes for Superman and Batman are low-budget knock-offs. Superman's costume merely emphasizes Walters' less-than-super physique. Batman's cowl has bulging lenses in the eye sockets, making me wonder if he is supposed to be "Bug-Man" instead.

Marginal production values and community-theater acting aside, the film is amusing to watch. It isn't good, not by a long shot, but it also doesn't feel the need to explain the back story on each of the characters for a mass audience. It focuses on the storyline (a decent plot, even if not action packed), and it concentrates on the corruption of one rich and powerful man and his determination to win the presidency. All in all, not a bad reminder in an election year.