It's a bird...it's a plane..it's an old movie review!

It's a bird...it's a plane... It's a reviewer breaking out his old
Superman underoos

Movie review: Superman Returns
Thanks to Singer, a hero is reborn
By Jon Chattman - June 2006

As Lois Lane, Kate Bosworth's hair looks like it hasn't been washed in
weeks. The curly brown style with a hint of highlights looks right out
of a bad 1980s TV Movie. Thankfully, that, for the most part, is the
only thing wrong with "Superman Returns," a masterwork from director
Bryan Singer that ranks with "X2," "Batman Begins," and "Spiderman" as
the best superhero movies ever. At the very least, it's the first true
superhero epic.

Singer made headlines by opting out of the third "X-Men" film in favor
of helming the Man of Steel. That decision ended up weakening the
mutant franchise (Brett Ratner took over the reigns
and while "X3" is somewhat entertaining, it lacked the meat the first two films had), but breathing new life
into Superman, who last appeared on screen opposite a bleach-blond Jon
Cryer - nuff said.
While he reinvents the DC hero for modern audiences, Singer pays homage
to the superior but dated 1978 original directed by Richard Donner
-both starring the late Christopher Reeve. In many ways, the movie
feels like a sequel to the first two superior films. It helps that
Brandon Routh, in the title role, bares a striking resemblance to
Reeve. But, "Superman Returns" stands on its own as a film force. It
opens with the man in tights returning to Metropolis after doing some
soul searching in his native Krypton. He had left the city some five or
six years ago to find out who he really is and what his purpose is in
life. With the words of his late father Kal-El(the late Marlon Brando
resurrected from the original film to great effect)ringing in his head,
he realizes he's here to protect and serve the people of earth. And,
boy does he.

Superman makes his comeback public by saving a space shuttle from
crashing into a baseball stadium. The sequence is nothing short of
breathtaking.His return, which coincides with alt-ego ClarkKent's
return to the Daily Planet (I still find it amazing no one realizes
Kent is Superman because of some nerdy specs- but I digress), is
welcomed with open arms especially by Daily Planet editor Perry White
(Frank Langella), a news whore who's always out to sell papers.
Longtime love Lois Lane (Bosworth) isn't quite as excited. She's still
ticked off that Superman left her without a goodbye. (Kent leaving
apparently didn't hurt too bad.) But, the ace reporter has moved on, on
the surface anyway. She's engaged to White's nephew Richard (James
Marsden of "X-Men" fame) and has a son Jason (Tristan Lake Leabu) to
keep her mind off the codpiece. Lane even snagged a Pulitzer for her
story "Why the World Doesn't Need Superman." Ouch.

Arch nemesis Lex Luthor (a biting Kevin Spacey reteaming with his
"Usual Suspects" director) isn't bursting with fruit flavor to see
Superman back either. After spending years in prison thanks to the
superhero, Luthor is back with a vengeance. The bald villain, who has
conned his way into a fortune and an early jail sentence, is plotting
world domination, and, in doing so, discovers a way to permanently take
down Superman. Let's just say it involves crystals and Kryptonite.

The reason "Superman Returns" works so well is every reason why "X3"
didn't. The film doesn't rely solely on effects and gifted actors to
make with the dialogue they're given. It's not merely spectacle here,
there's amazing effects but also a story, and real characters with
strong back stories. Screenwriters Michael Dougherty and Dan Harris
provide weight to ensure the story is always fresh and engaging. The
fact the story holds up throughout the film's two-and-a-half-hour
length is a testament to them and Singer's direction. The near-perfect
casting also helps.

Relative unknown Routh makes a sparkling superhero. Like Reeve before
him, he is able to convey the superhero's heart and soul. We can tell
how torn he is being a stranger in a strange land. It's also evident
that his time away has truly given him a purpose. The actor also has a
good time portraying the baffling Kent.

While she looks a bit too young for the role, Bosworth delivers her
first fully realized performance as Lane. She's able to show how
conflicted her character is between the life she's made with Richard
and Jason and the super life she once had (and now, can still have).
Spacey starts out slow as Luthor, but gains momentum throughout the
film. He'll ham it up in one scene (thankfully not quite as Gene
Hackman did in the past), and be ruthless in the next. There's more to
the villain here than outrageous wigs and one-liners. Case in point:
watch him stab Superman with a piece of Kryptonite.

In other turns, Parker Posey sinks her teeth into Lex's sidekick Kitty.
Marsden and Langella also offer fine support. Along with "V for Vendetta," "Superman Returns" is among the year's best thus far. And, given the climate of today's world, the movie couldn't have come at a more opportune time. We need someone to trust, and someone to believe in. We need to know there's a cause that is worth fighting for. In the real world, we unfortunately don't get that.
On screen, however, we do and thank god for that.