Compare / Originals, sequels & remakes Superman vs Superman Returns Shot length, color & pacing compared
Superman Returns arrived 28 years after Superman. Superman Returns averages 3.3 seconds per shot, while Superman holds each shot 30% longer, at 4.3 seconds.
Each stripe is the average color of a slice of the film, from the first frame (left) to the last (right).
By the numbers Metric Superman Superman Returns Average shot length 4.3s 3.3s Total shots 2,011 2,825 Cuts per minute 14.0 18.3 Runtime analyzed 143 min 154 min Close-ups or tighter 71% 80% Setup: avg shot 4.9s 3.3s Middle act: avg shot 4.7s 3.1s Final act: avg shot 3.0s 3.6s
Shot scale mix
What the data shows 01 Superman has 2,011 shots (14.0 cuts a minute); Superman Returns has 2,825 (18.3 a minute). 02 Superman Returns frames faces more tightly: 80% of its shots are close-ups or tighter, against 71% for Superman. 03 The most common framing in both is the medium close-up. 04 Superman is the brighter film overall: its average frame brightness is 89% higher than Superman Returns's. 05 Superman Returns has the warmer palette, with noticeably more red than blue across the film; Superman sits cooler. 06 Superman cuts fastest in its final act (3.0s per shot) and slowest in its setup (4.9s). 07 Superman Returns keeps a steady rhythm across all three acts (3.3s, 3.1s, 3.6s per shot).