Superman Returns (2006)
Starring: Brandon Routh, Kate Bosworth, Kevin Spacey, Parker Posey, James Marsden
Director: Bryan Singer
Screenplay: Michael Dougherty, Dan Harris
Running time: 154 minutes
YOU could almost subtitle this pic "The Redemption of Bryan Singer", the helmer responsible for bringing us the awful X-Men and X2. Now, before people start crucifying me (especially those who thought the first one was OK), let me put it in perspective – I’ve collected X-Men comics since 1978 and have the golden run of Giant-size #1 through to #143 plus everything since, so the movies certainly had a lot to live up to in my eyes. I just didn’t think they were bad, I thought they were dire. Of all the storylines possible, the ones chosen were weakly executed and told poorly. In fact, I’d go as far to say the the superhero genre has been poorly served by the film industry in general. The standouts are few and far between and include Tim Burton’s Batman, as well as the more recent Batman Begins plus possibly the first and second Christopher Reeve Superman flicks. I’m glad to say, Superman Returns can now be added to that very short list.
Singer hardly misses a beat. Taking in some of the story line where Christopher Reeve’s Superman II finished, we find Superman (Routh) returning to Earth after a five-year absence having gone looking for his home planet of Krypton. However his assimilation back into his former life is far from smooth. Lady love Lois Lane is not only engaged to fellow reporter Richard White (Singer favourite Marsden), but more surprisingly, she has a five-year old child. To add to his woes arch nemesis Lex Luthor has discovered a way to wipe the continental USA off the face of the Earth.
Routh brings humanity to a character that really has been one-dimensional in his many outings both in television and film. This time around he’s more than just a good guy (Clark Kent) who is secretly a really good guy (Superman). He wants love and wants to be loved, and the complexities of Lane’s personal situation, is the film's theme – will he ever win her back? How attached is she to nice guy White? And who is the father of her son? Superman even (gasp!) eavesdrops on a conversation for personal gain – something Christopher Reeve's (or George Reeves for that matter) Man of Steel would never have done.
A masterstroke in casting has the chameleon-like Spacey as supervillion Lex Luther. I thought Gene Hackman’s incarnation would be hard to beat, but Spacey really shines as the scheming, unfeeling ubervillian out to destroy the world. Routh makes the most of his star billing, while Bosworth is solid as the likeably inquisitive Lane.
If Singer is guilty of anything – and you could rightfully call me churlish – is that he dabbles just a little too long for my liking with the romance aspect of the pic. However at the end of the day I have to say thank you Bryan for bringing back the faith. The good news for Superman fans is Singer is slated as a producer of the next movie in the franchise, the interim-titled Superman: Man of Steel set for production in 2009.
4 out of 5 stars
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I enjoyed your 'version' here, very refreshing to see something good said about this film... and I have to agree ;
To a point I felt thsi one was too, but better in so far as the added touches of Lois's engagement and child were, as you say. I also felt the romance bit went a bit *yawn* long.
Spacey was a convincing villain for me too and I look forward to another take on this superhero and can only hope there is more real action than fast paced, silly CGI...I don;t mind it in the right places... but not for it's own sake..and not in a classic comic book heor movie.
Cheers
Lilla ...