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 Grade: A- | Genre: Action Adventure
Summary: Superman Returns is a thrilling rebirth of yesterday’s “Man of Steel” for today’s generation. The time spent in development was worth the wait and we can only hope that the following additions continue to build and stay true to the franchise.
Review: The “Man of Steel” has indeed come a long way since his Quest for Peace and finally returns to the big screen to soar over all those that get in his way (those that aren’t Pirates of course). It seems director Bryan Singer was able to take the franchise back in time and drop it snugly between the second and third Superman installments just before Mr. Bulletproofs film career began to tank.
Clark Kent has continued to see some life on the small screen in the hit series, Smallville, but alas with not one glimpse of the red cape and blue tights. It took a while for Superman to take over the big screen where previous incarnations saw Rush Hour and X Men 3 director, Brett Ratner manning the helm and, get this, Nicholas Cage playing “The Man of Steel.” With years wasted and millions of dollars lost, the studios finally got the right pieces in place to create a Superman fitting of today’s movie climate. This time around, we are given a film that doesn’t necessary reinvent the franchise but is a dedication to the legacy left behind by Christopher Reeves.
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After leaving 5 years ago to investigate the remnant pieces of his home planet, Krypton, Clark Kent returns home to find that the Daily Planet and the rest of the world has moved on without him. War wages, civil unrest persists and the love of his life, Lois Lane, is engaged and with child.
Lex Luther is still up to his tricks and has charmed his way into an inheritance that will finance his latest stab at world domination risking the lives of innocent billions. And just how will Lex do it? Being the inventive master villain that he is, Lex figures out that if you take a crystal from the Fortress of Solitude that explains Superman’s existence and wrap it up in a Kryptonite corndog to be thrown into the ocean, a new continent of black stone will grow and overtake North America. Of course, everyone will have to have a piece of this “prime” real estate, and Lex figures he will be accepting offers in no time making him the most powerful man in the world. It may sound ridiculous, but then again, we can accept that a red-caped Alien in blue stretchy pants (just for fun) lives among us and uses his powers of flight, speed and strength to rescue us from ourselves everyday. Will Superman save the day again or has Lex finally outsmarted “justice, peace and the American Way?”
Starring: Brandon Routh, Kate Bosworth, Kevin Spacey, James Marsden, Parker Posey, Frank Langella
Director: Bryan Singer |
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Stylistically, Superman Returns doesn’t bring much new to a generation that grew up picturing Christopher Reeves as “The Man of Steel.” Because of Bryan Singer’s loyal affection to Richard Donner’s original Superman film, Superman Returns isn’t necessarily a new direction but more of a throw back to a beloved superhero that Christopher Reeves permanently instilled in our hearts. Brandon Routh IS the incarnation of Reeves, from his good looks right down to his vocal inflections. This isn’t Dean Cain’s hunky “Man of Steel” or Tom Welling’s Teen-Beat heartthrob version. In tact are Clark’s clumsy awkwardness and Superman’s silky curl over the forehead, as are John Williams’ original score and even footage of Marlon Brandon as Superman’s father, Jor-El.
New to the Superman film series is a whole new backstory that opens the door to sequels that are sure to come. It’s a new story-line that lovers of the original will be proud to engage. The machine should continue to run now with a love triangle that comes between Lois and the man she loves. We are left hoping to see the two kids rediscover their love for each other (again), which time and distance has dissolved and left withered. With a new fiance and 5-year-old son (coincidence?), Superman has returned home to a broken heart. Suddenly, Kryptonite doesn’t seem so bad.
Kevin Spacey’s Lex Luther is superb as usual playing another villain that we love to hate. The scene stealer is Parker Posey as Kitty Kowalski and, had she been given more of an opportunity, would have naturally commanded the spotlight from Superman himself.
My only complaint is Kate Bosworth’s Lois Lane. As much as we love the surfer chick turned serious starlot, we just didn’t see the same feistiness and strength that we’ve come to know Lois to possess. Maybe it was the brunette locks, the lack of depth in character or her recent breakup with Orlando Bloom that dimmed her bright smile. I almost would prefer to see someone like Rachel McAdams, another one of our favorites, taking the role above and beyond expected heights.
Superman Returns is a thrilling rebirth of yesterday’s “Man of Steel” for today’s generation. The time spent in development was worth the wait and we can only hope that the following additions continue to build and stay true to the franchise.
Release Date: June 2, 2006
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