Superman Re-Returns
Review by Eric Walker

‘Feet don’t fail me now’

Superman Returns gets a 4.5 of 5 Star Walkers.

“Superman where are you today? I’m at the telephone booth at Hollywood and vine, come take me away. I’m in a terrible fix and I need you right away!”

Bryan Singer’s Superman Returns is a Real Love Story with vibrant Human Emotion, an important element missing in all prior Superman movies. Although Christopher Reeve will forever be Superman in the minds of so many (God rest his soul), Brandon Routh gives us a unique Superman quite fitting for the 21st century.

What makes Superman Returns different from the average superhero movie is its focus on the love story between Superman (Brandon Routh) and Lois Lane (Kate Bosworth). If you are longing for a Spiderman romance ala a Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) and Mary Jane (Kirsten Dunst), you’re in for something much more. The potent chemistry between Clark Kent and Lois Lane might even neutralize kryptonite. In addition to that, the acting appears to be much better in Superman Returns and less sappy than the self pity party hosted by one Mary Jane in Spiderman II.

In retrospect I have to say that the movie is sort of a sequel to Superman I and II. I guess we all are supposed to forget about the Superman III and IV sequels, which are probably better forgotten anyway, save the comedic brilliance and appearance of the late great Richard Pryor in III.

Bryan Singer has been quoted as saying: “I wanted to do a story where Superman had been gone for some reason, and he returned – and the world had moved on without him to some degree.” Well, Mr. Singer we’ll overlook the fact that you obviously enjoyed the Incredibles and the legion of superheroes on sabbaticals in that story.
Superman Returns begins with Superman having been away from Earth for 5 years after having been off in search of his home world and what remains. Lois has moved on in a bigger way then Singer describes in his press junket interview. She has a son named Jason (Tristan Leabu), and a boyfriend, Richard (James Marsden), whom she refuses to marry thus setting up the only predictable part of the plot yet to come. Some could argue that Lois doesn’t marry him because she still wants to be with the man of her dreams, Superman. Some people may not appreciate the amount of screen time that is spent on their romantic interaction but it provides the strong emotional element that helps make the movie work.

When last we saw Lex Luthor (Kevin Spacey), he was played by Gene Hackman and was sent off to prison. So, like Superman, he has been gone from the world for half a decade. Once free, however, Lex goes back to his evil ways and is more determined than ever to make his mark on a now complacent world. He visits Superman's Fortress of Solitude and pilfers all his crystals left by Superman’s father Jor-El (Marlon Brando). And yes, thanks to Super Digital Technology we are once again able to see the late great actor Marlon Brando who is brought back to life. Brando reprises his role via unused footage left from the original 70’s version.

With these Crystals, Lex intends to create a new continent and destroy a few of the old ones in the process. Superman, just back from his 5-year vacation from outer space in search for other survivors from Krypton, opposes his old nemesis, but this time Lex is ready for him.

Kevin Spacey's Lex Luthor brings cruelty to a level of mastery, which makes the Gene Hackman version pale by comparison. He has his share of one-liners and drawn-out monologues, well penned by screenwriters Michael Dougherty (X-Men 2) and Dan Harris (Imaginary Heroes). These monologues are where Spacey really shines and takes his brutality to a level that firmly guarantees him a solid place in the ‘nemesis hall of fame’.

The supporting cast is one of the strongest I’ve seen in a long time. This supporting cast does not miss a cinematic beat, adding comic fill where it is needed. Parker Posey’s (portraying the character Kitty Kowalski) practically steals the show with her spots on timing and comedic talent. Her character Kitty replaces the function of Miss Teschmacher - Lex's female who has a soft spot for the Man of Steel.

Actor, James Marsden (Metropolis from X Men) has the tough part of being Lois’s boyfriend Richard White (Nephew of Daily Planet Editor Perry White) without coming across as unlikable and an un-welcomed obstacle to the screenwriters Love Story. However Richard turns out to be a nice guy and good father to Lois Lane’s son, who we later find out is really Superman’s Son. So now you’ve heard the predictable plot point I announced at the beginning. Yes, the man of steel turns out to be a Super DAD.

For all you ‘action junkies’ who go to superhero movies for the action, you will not be disappointed. The action sequences in Superman Returns are top notch and out class those of the originals. With computer driven CGI super action in Superman Returns can almost make your popcorn re-pop, imagine that. I was surprised to see that yes, there is someone other then George Lucas and ILM doing great special effects. The effects team at The Orphanage, Framestore CFC, Digital Neural Axis, Rising Sun Pictures, and Lola Visual effects should be applauded, because after seeing this movie you’ll really believe a man can fly.

Superman Returns comes in at a long 157 minutes, but like Superman I had hardly realized that five years had gone by. The movie is just that Good and Superman Returns is the best movie of the summer thus far. Oh, I’m sorry, I meant 157 minutes had gone by. This movie offers nearly everything: romance, action, humor, and more. Bryan Singer and his cast has done what has become the Christopher Reeve legacy, proud.

Recently a song was re-mixed and independently re-released to coincide with the release of Superman Returns. It has always struck me kind of funny how certain things in our society carry a certain signature energy, especially within the world of entertainment and the Superman franchise is one of those things. Superman Where Are You Today, was originally written and performed by award winning musician Buddy Mix over twenty years ago, but has now also returned! Superman Returns indeed, because the movie brings a certain energy along with it. Yes, we could sure use Superman in this gas gouging tested, administration lying protested, terrorist infested, FEMA disaster digested, and scandal manifested country today. Even more good news about Superman however is that he WILL return yet again, via DVD, HBO and the like.

But perhaps Buddy Mix says it best with the lyrics: “Superman where are you today? I’m at the telephone booth at Hollywood and Vine, come take me away I’m in a terrible fix and I need you right away!”

Click Here to Listen to Buddy Mix's "Superman Where Are You Today?"

ewalker@emodelmagazine.com

United States/Australia, 2006
U.S. Release Date: 6/28/06 (wide)
Running Length: 2:37
MPAA Classification: PG-13 (Violence)
Theatrical Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Cast: Brandon Routh, Kate Bosworth, Kevin Spacey, James Marsden, Parker Posey, Frank Langella, Sam Huntington, Eva Marie Saint, Marlon Brando, Tristan Leabu
Director: Bryan Singer
Screenplay: Michael Dougherty & Dan Harris, based on characters originated by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster
Cinematography: Newton Thomas Sigel
Music: John Ottman, John Williams
U.S. Distributor: Warner Brothers

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