Superman Returns

Superman IV was so bad that it took nearly 20 years for anyone to make another Superman movie. There were many ideas and attempts, including a Superman/Batman crossover, and one directed by Tim Burton, but everything fell through until director Bryan Singer finished up the first two X-Men movies and switched over to DC. Superman Returns came out in 2006, 19 years after the last Superman movie, and stars Brandon Routh, Kate Bosworth, and Kevin Spacey. Singer's main goal was to create the perfect sequel to Richard Donner's Superman and pretend that the third and fourth movies never happened, which I think is a good idea for all of us.

This movie really is a loving tribute to the first Superman movie, and you can tell right from the beginning with John Williams' theme blaring, a Marlon Brando monologue, and the sweeping opening credits in space. It really captures the same majesty of the first film. I was so happy they brought in the Marlon Brando archives, and I also have to commend John Ottman's work on the soundtrack. He used John Williams' theme prominently, as he should have, but his own original music was also the perfect complement to it. I'll add a point for that.

I'll add another point for Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor. He was the perfect modernization of Gene Hackman's character. Yes, he did have the same little quirks and a weakness for stupid girlfriends who were really good, but he finally replaced bumbling Otis with some real, violent henchmen. I also liked how he has embraced his baldness. The wigs are still there, but mainly for disguises now, which I like. It was also a good modern twist to have him "escape" from jail through legal finagling and loopholes, and regain his fortune by swindling an old woman out of hers. But most of all, I loved how this Lex was so evil. He is no longer content with exposing Superman to Kryptonite and destroying California; now, he is jabbing shards of Kryptonite into Superman's back and destroying America. He really was a wonderful villain.

The score will rise to an 8 for some brief, yet poignant scenes of Clark returning to his Smallville farm. Martha Kent is still alive and an important support system for Superman. We also got a great flashback that I think should have been in the first movie. It was a young Clark running through cornfields, jumping as high as he can, when he accidentally learns he can fly. While the CGI in this scene shows more now than it did six years ago, it is still a beautiful scene thanks to the music, lighting and overall emotion of unbridled joy.

I'll add another point for Kate Bosworth's performance as Lois Lane. I was never a fan of Margot Kidder, who came off as annoying and incompetent. This Lois is neither. She is strong, focused, successful, and a relentless reporter. She is also actually pretty! This is the first Superman movie where I can see why Superman would be attracted to her. She also earns bonus points for being able to keep going strong during the five years Superman ditched her. More on that later.

The score rises to a 10 for one of the most epic scenes in all superhero movies — Superman saving the plane. It was just so exciting and compelling; Superman really is at his best when stopping "natural" disasters. We know Superman is fast and strong and invincible, but how could he stop something that big? I also loved the twist of him accidentally ripping a wing off. I really am on the edge of seat every time I watch this. There also is no better way to announce your return than landing a plane full of reporters onto a major league baseball field in the middle of a game. And then the nice touch of allowing Superman and us to pause and take in what just happened while the John Williams theme blasts its majestic sound of approval and thousands of people give the hero a standing ovation. I almost want to put the movie back on just to watch this part again.

I'll also add another point for Superman's "first night" back on patrol around the world. We got to see him stop a lot of crimes everywhere, which I really like. Superman wouldn't just protect Metropolis. He can and will help everyone everywhere. There is a really cool part where we see him literally fly faster than a speeding bullet, take a full round from a machine gun to his chest, and be shot point blank in his eye. The bullet crushes on his eyeball and falls to the ground. Is that making Superman too strong? Yes. But that's the point with Superman. He is the strongest and the best. He is the ideal, the perfect example to look up to.

Having just said that, it really doesn't make any sense why Superman, who called himself a savior of the world, would leave Earth for five years. Some astronomers thought they found Krypton. Yeah ... so? Superman never gives an adequate explanation for his disappearance, and as the movie goes on and more things are revealed, things look only worse for our ideal hero. I'll take off one point here, with more deductions to come.

Lex Luthor confirms what we've been fearing for most of the movie, that Lois' son, Jason, is actually Superman's illegitimate son. Superman CAN'T have a son outside of marriage! He just can't! The world's greatest hero would never be so irresponsible! Again, I'll take off one point here, with more deductions to follow.

The score falls to an 8 for the terrible character of Jason White. It's bad enough that he existed, but he was super annoying. He simultaneously acted younger and older than a 5-year-old. He was really smart, understood the concept of trespassing, and could play the piano fairly well, but he couldn't pronounce the letter R and always called his parents mommy and daddy. He was also "fragile" with asthma and a host of other maladies. Also, what was with his hair? Lois, get your kid a haircut!

I will give a point back for the initial "death" and "resurrection" scene of Superman. I loved Lex and his boys slowly and mercilessly beating up Superman and viciously thrusting the Kryptonite into his back. It was so dark, tragic, and evil. Then after he was rescued, he was able to fly above the clouds and into the sunshine. I loved the contrast of light and attitude. This was simply a beautiful scene.

After Superman finally beats Luthor, he "dies"again. This wasn't so bad, but then he was brought back to life by a kiss from his illegitimate son. Not only did this make little sense, it was a further reminder that Superman had an illegitimate son! Yes, it is that bad! Also, little Jason has vague, latent powers. Every scene with Jason just made me angrier. We're down to an 8.

This really was a good movie and was a loving tribute to Richard Donner's work. For the most part, it captured the same magic and religious feel that he strove for. Brandon Routh did a good job playing Christopher Reeve and Kate Bosworth and Kevin Spacey were both a bit better than their counterparts. The story and action were great. But when things slowed down at the end of the movie and the exciting Superman buzz wore off, a lot of questions began to arise. When Superman visited a sleeping Jason, everything started to come together. In Superman II, Superman becomes a normal human and sleeps with Lois Lane. He then regains his super powers to defeat General Zod, and although he promised not to let the world down again (seeing how everything collapsed in the two days he gave up), he decides to leave for Krypton because Lois gets pregnant. Poor Lois got left behind with this half-Kryptonian kid, but luckily found a good guy in James Marsden, so she didn't have to raise the kid alone. Then Superman comes back five years later and can't figure out why Lois is so mad at him! The more I think about this, the more mad I get. Perhaps a few of these issues would've been resolved in a sequel, but that possibility was killed because so many people were upset that Superman had a son! I have to take off yet another point for this. I know it seems like I'm penalizing this movie a lot for the same thing, but it was such a major thing that I feel it was necessary.

As much as I wanted a sequel for this film, I think it's for the best that the next Superman movie, to be called the Man of Steel, will move away from the Richard Donner version. It's time for a new take on the character. Mostly, I'm just glad Superman will be back on the big screen. The world needs Superman in theaters.

Final score: 7