Superman Returns

by Aaron Helfferich · Published June 29, 2006

The long awaited continuation in the chapters of the legendary Superman franchise is finally here. It has been nearly 28 years since our hero first flew onto the silver screen in one of the most ground-breaking and memorable movie experiences ever created. With a few new tricks, Superman returns with all of the familiar moments that movie-goers, super hero fans, and especially Superman fans hold so dear to their heart.

The memorable moments of 1978’s “Superman: The Movie” are respectfully hinted at in “Superman Returns,” but there are new challenges facing the man of steel. Superman returns after searching for the remains of his home planet, Krypton. He soon finds that humans have moved on without him, or at least Lois Lane has. The fearless reporter now has a child and a new love of her life. The world is used to dealing with a life without Superman. Worst of all, Lex Luthor is out of jail and still has a sinister plot to run the world.

This is where the young Iowa native actor Brandon Routh comes in. Raised in farmlands and making a jump to the big time, Routh is the newest actor to portray Superman. The impeccable resemblance to our first hero Christopher Reeve should not throw you off. Brandon brings a look to the roles of Superman and Clark Kent. He takes Superman to a more elegant and graceful state while Clark Kent becomes less of a dorky and bumbling mild mannered reporter. While Routh’s presence as Superman is powerful and stoic, he loses much of the charm we might expect when in disguise as Clark Kent. Fortunately, these moments are minimal, and the focus eventually lies solely on Superman.

Opposite Brandon Routh, Kate Bosworth plays the strong-willed but heart-broken Lois Lane. When Superman returns, Lois immediately wants to keep him out of her life. During a scene in which Lois interviews Superman on the roof of the Daily Planet, the anger, regret, and remaining love is caught underneath the faces of each character. It’s an awkward, but emotional re-confrontation driven by the talent of Bosworth and Routh. Surprisingly, there is little dialogue between these two.

Other than Superman and Lois, a most honorable mention must also go to the brilliant re-creation of Lex Luthor. Kevin Spacey’s performance jumps off the screen; literally if you watch the film in IMAX 3D. This Lex Luthor is downright evil, giving way to a villain that is darker and scarier. Spacey has the same comedic charm that Hackman did in ’78, but the campy situations are a thing of the past. The most dialogue in the film is given to Spacey for a reason. Spacey’s performance is more of an interpretation of a scripted character than a resemblance of the past. It comes as no surprise that his performance is the best in the film.

To bring Superman into a new era, Bryan Singer was blessed with the use of the most state-of-the-art equipment. The unbelievably crisp and colorful picture from the new Panavision Genesis HD Camera System helps “Superman Returns” put the industry at a new standard. Singer even speaks through his film in an “out with the old, in with the new” moment. He makes bold statements in a scene where Lex elaborately destroys a miniature railway set. It speaks a lot for how far film making has come out of using miniatures and other old film tricks as visual effects.

After watching “Superman Returns,” you can’t help but remember what it was like back in 1978 when we first believed a man could fly. We remember warm and heartfelt moments between Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder as they first flew through night sky. We even remember the priceless moments of dialogue between Gene Hackman and Ned Beatty as they plotted a radical endgame. “Superman Returns” respectfully pays homage to the original 1978 film and even borrows from it. In a bit of movie magic, Marlon Brando’s booming voice is still used as Superman’s Kryptonian father, Jor-El. Even John Williams’ original theme is as relevant as it has ever been. While “Superman Returns” might never live up to the original greatness of “Superman: The Movie,” Bryan Singer has crafted a eloquent love-letter that pays respectful homage to some of the greatest moments in cinema history.