It's been a full week and some change since Superman Returns opened. And I've seen it twice. Now that you all have seen it, I can actually give you my review. Yes, spoilers for all 3 of you that haven't seen it.
Let's start with what I've been saying since I saw it last Tuesday. It rocks. Why? That's what you're here for!
We'll get the obvious out of the way. Well, you'd think it was the obvious, yet some people just don't get it. Clearly, director Bryan Singer was giving much homage to Superman I & II. Common knowledge that this movie follows those 2 films. He even goes so far as to recycle a famous line from the first movie. It was a great memory for me hearing that line and a nice comical moment after a hugely stressful and action packed scene. Was Singer simply recycling because he couldn't think of anything? No, stupids! He was showing reverence to the first 2 films. Get over it!
The film sets us up that Superman left earth after astronomers discovered bits of Krypton. He was gone for 5 years. Why did he leave and why did he come back? I know if I was the lone survivor of a world and had a chance to find out more about it's origin, I'd do it too. Superman has certainly adopted Earth as his home, but to be able to possibly find out more about his home planet is a chance he can't let pass by. While it's not completely answered why he returns, it seems clear to me. He found nothing. Ergo, he returns to the only home he knows. Earth. He puts himself back into his former life as Clark Kent at The Daily Planet. Running into Lois Lane and the rest of the bunch. Uh oh. Lois is engaged to Richard White (nephew of Perry)? And has a kid?! What the...?
As you can see, this is and isn't your father's Superman. Familiar surroundings. Familiar friends. Different dynamics. I don't think Supes was expecting Lois to have moved on. And that she did. What with her Pulitzer Prize winning article, "Why the World Doesn't Need Superman". Or did she? It's more like a defense against her own feelings of abandonment. She is completely still in love with Big Blue. Yet, quite angry and hurt that he left without word. When Supes meets her on the rooftop of The Daily Planet and takes her for a fly (yes...ala Superman I), he shows her that he is still needed. Well, explains it to her how he is still needed. He hears voices crying for help every day.
And that is his purpose. To help these people in need. He is the truest sense of the selfless hero. The embodiment of all that is good and pure. He helps because he can. It's that simple.
Also back in the fold is Lex Luthor. In a semi-similar plot about real estate. It's better than it sounds. Of course, Lois and her son get caught in the wrong place (Luthor's ship) and end up Luthor's captives. The son has a brief moment to shine and it's quite clear that this is not Richard's kid. It seems as though Luthor suspected, so did Lois and possibly Supes himself.
Now remember: Singer says this follows the first 2 films. Supes and Lois sleep together in the 2nd film. At the end of that movie, he gives her that lame "magical" kiss to make her forget his secret identity and that they were together, etc. It's not addressed, but maybe Lois knew this wasn't Richard's baby. Had a small idea it could be Superman's and wanted to raise the kid with a father figure after he left. Thus, Richard entering the picture. Though, you can argue that she would have had to have gotten with Richard pretty immediately to fool him into thinking it was his kid. Or even if she was innocent and didn't have an idea, it would still be pretty early to be hooking up so soon after the love of her life left. My theory: She had the kid, suspecting it to be Superman's. Shortly thereafter or even during pregnancy, she meets Richard and brings him into her life. All for the kid. And perhaps for some comfort and to help her get over Superman. Richard suspects and soon realizes that she still loves the big tights wearing lug, yet sticks around to help out because it's the right thing to do.
It's a nice twist to the story. A love triangle. A love child. A SUPER love child!
Things come together and work out for our protagonist and his supporting cast. Like you think it wouldn't? As for the other stuff...you know, the cast, effects, etc. SPECTACULAR special effects. That plane sequence. Phew! That was awesome! And even with all of the advances in technology and flying we've seen in movies, seeing Superman fly still is a site.
Brandon Routh gives a star turning performance. Yes, he eerily resembles Christopher Reeve in some moments. I mean that in a good way. I don't think he mimicked Reeve's turn as the Last Son of Krypton as some suggest. Of course, everyone is going to compare them. Routh adds his own touch to Clark, Kal-El and Superman. Simple,but not too bumbly as Clark. Commanding and sure as Superman. He was more than likable. Kate Bosworth as Lois Lane gave a more subtle performance than people might be used to with that character. It made sense though. Her internal conflicts over his return, her son, Richard, etc. That affected her normal go get 'em attitude. It was there, but just not over the top and in your face. James Marsden as Richard White was a nice addition as well. Playing the love struck, yet knows he's second, fiance. Kevin Spacey plays a sinister Lex, but still with a bit of fun and evil playfulness. Parker Posey is hilarious as the yang to Luthor's ying. The rest of the cast does a fine job just supporting. Hey, that's their jobs!
Singer directed this masterfully. He is one of the most researched directors around. People forget he's the same guy who did The Usual Suspects and Apt Pupil. Not just the first 2 (good) X-Men movies. With those, he proved his passion for the comic book/fantasy/superhero genre. I saw him speak last year at the San Diego Comic-Con. He flew directly from the Australian set of Superman Returns and was visibly exhausted. Yet, he enthusiastically shared with us the details of his direction. I was not disappointed!
Overall? Like I said in the beginning. It rocks! See? If you would have just trusted me you could have skipped all of my long winded-ness! Was it perfect? No. Yet, I did find myself feeling like that little 8 year old boy when I saw the first Superman movie. Except this time, I didn't eat as much candy and popcorn, nor did I pee in my pants.
Superman Returns. Indeed! Go see it!
It may seem like I'm trashing this movie all over town, but I did very much enjoy it, it did exceed my expectations, and I do recommend that everyone see it. The whole airplane sequence is probably my second favorite pure-action scene out of anything I've seen in the last decade, second only to that part in "The Incredibles" when the bad guys are chasing the kid around the island. And speaking of running kids, no one is talking about it but the short flashback where we see the very young Clark leaping around the farm had my heart in my throat the entire time.
Posted by: mike. | July 06, 2006 at 05:35 PM
I too was thrilled by Singer's take on the Man of Steel ... My only quibble with it was that, at least to me, Luthor's plot seemed to make very little sense .. I'm looking forward to a new villian in the next one, which can't come soon enough!
Posted by: Keith Demko | July 11, 2006 at 06:30 PM