It’s a rare thing indeed when a forty-two year old man can like myself can walk into a movie theatre, take his seat, and in mere moments after the start of a film, be instantly transformed into a kid again. But that’s just happened when I went to see Superman Returns. The calendar may have said 2006. But to me, it was 1979 all over again as that classic John Williams score resounded through the theatre and we, the audience, made the long journey from Krypton to Earth.

Director Bryan Singer has done an amazing job bringing the Man of Steel back to the big screen. But he’s done it in a way that allows for an incredibly huge audience. That’s because of the film’s broad appeal-it will resonate well with male action fans, of course, but the romance angle between Superman and Lois Lane is so well played out that women should enjoy it, too.

Superman Returns pays homage to not just the first two Christopher Reeve Films, but the entire Superman legacy. Still, the influences of director Richard Donner’s film Superman the Movie
are everywhere here and the most obvious: from the incorporation of John Williams' familiar themes to shots of Marlon Brando as Jor-El to classic Kryptonian architecture. The third and forth films in the Superman franchise are assumed in this continuity to have never occurred.

As our story opens, it is five years after the events in Superman II. But the world has been without a Superman for that time, as the Man of Steel mysteriously disappeared without a word or a trace soon after the defeat of General Zod.

But now, in glorious fashion, Superman Returns. Much has changed since Superman departed on a fruitless quest to find his home planet Krypton, reported to have been located by Earth astronomers. Kal-El now realizes his unique predicament more than ever, as well as his ability to make a difference in the lives of so many on his adopted planet.

Especially Lois Lane, who has moved on to a new relationship and is the mother of a young boy. This is the most difficult change for Superman to deal with, and he struggles with it-an army of super villains would be a more welcome challenge than his awkward dealings with Lois.

But other events have transpired that will have a tremendous impact on Superman’s return as well. Lex Luthor, released from prison on a technicality, is back with another plot that makes his attempt to knock California into the sea look like child’s play. He’s managed to harness Kryptonian technology to his own evil ends. And with a plentiful supply of Kryptonite to boot, can even the Man of Steel stop him before he sends billions to their deaths?

Superman Returns works on a number of levels, but mostly I think because it recaptures the spirit and the innocence of the first two films starring Christopher Reeve. And make no mistake: that was intentional. In many scenes, Brandon Routh bears an uncanny resemblance to Reeve, surely the reason why he was chosen.

The film features great special effects, and as the old slogan goes, you will believe a man can fly. More than that, you’ll be gripping the edge of your seat at times as Superman performs various feats and rescues. But Superman Returns is about relationships, too: Superman’s changed relationship with Lois, his relationship with his mother, his relationship as an alien with the people of his adopted home.

Little tributes to the Superman legacy should not be missed. Noel Neil, who played Lois Lane in the fifties George Reeves black and white TV series, is the widow on her deathbed whom Lex Luthor swindles. Recognize the bartender serving up a couple of Buds to Jimmy and Clark? It’s Jack Larson, who played Jimmy Olsen in the same show. And pay special attention to Superman’s pose as he sets down Kitty Kowalski’s car; it’s straight off the cover of Action Comics #1, the first appearance of the Man of Steel.

Still, this is a Superman updated for the 21st century. Lois Lane as a single mom, a slightly new costume, and a more global outlook for our hero are just some of the changes. When Perry White is wondering how the newly returned Superman has changed, he asks if he still stands for truth and justice-not truth, justice, and the American way.

A fine cast delivers convincing performances, but Kevin Spacey may outpace them all with his evil, merciless and sociopathic Lex Luthor. He pulls off the amazing feat of one upping Gene Hackman’s admittedly more campy representation of Lex. Surely, this is a darker Lex Luthor than we’ve seen before.

Brandan Routh also has big boots to fill, but he doesn’t try to be Christopher Reeve-just Superman, Clark Kent. He manages to do this admirably, and right away, we accept him in his dual roles. Kate Bosworth is less convincing as Lois Lane. She just doesn’t bring across the feisty, independent Lois we all know and love. Frank Langella is adequate as Perry White the few times we see him, and Sam Huntington shines in a few moments as Jimmy Olsen.

Overall, a top notch effort, and two hours and forty minutes of super-powered fun. Really needs to be seen on the big screen to be best appreciated.

More Comics Films::

Superman the Movie


X-Men
X-Men 2
X-Men III: The Last Stand
Fantastic Four
Batman and Robin
Batman Begins
The Return of Swamp Thing
Spider-Man
Spider-Man 2
Hulk
Daredevil
Hellboy
Darkman
Man Thing
The Flash: The Complete Series
V for Vendetta
The Punisher (1989)
The Punisher (2004)








Recommended: Yes