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SUPERMAN RETURNS (2006) (***)

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SUPERMAN RETURNS is a somber and ironic return for the Man of Steel and a worthy film to stand alongside Christopher Reeve’s first two films.

Superman (Brandon Routh, big screen debut) has returned after a five-year mission to see the remains of his destroyed home world. On a more cynical Earth, the people have moved on, especially Superman’s main squeeze, star reporter Lois Lane (Kate Bosworth, BEYOND THE SEA), who has had a child, lives with a man and won a Pulitzer for an article titled, “Why the World Doesn’t Need Superman.” For the man in the red cape that’s gotta sting more than Kryptonite.

Lois is much more bitter than we remember. Her son is Jason (Tristan Lake Leabu, film debut) is smart, but physically weak with asthma. Lois’ perpetual fiancée Richard White (James Marsden, X-MEN) is a pilot and editor at the Daily Planet, who cares greatly for Lois and Jason and definitely feels threatened with Superman back in the picture.

Superman’s alter ego Clark Kent also returns, much to the delight of eager young photographer Jimmy Olsen (Sam Huntington, NOT ANOTHER TEEN MOVIE). Clark’s old boss Perry White (Frank Langella, THE HORROR OF DRACULA) only hires Kent back because someone just died.

The man in blue and red’s chief nemesis — Lex Luthor (Kevin Spacey, THE USUAL SUSPECTS) — has returned as well. By wooing an elderly woman, Luthor has secured his release from prison and a multi-million dollar fortune. Along with his ditzy sidekick Kitty Kowalski (Parker Posey, BEST IN SHOW), Luthor sets out to find Superman’s fortress of solitude and harness the power of his alien technology to form a new continent in the Atlantic Ocean, which would give him his own kingdom to sell to the highest bidder. The fact that it will swamp most of North and South America is just an added perk for the diabolical villain.

First my quibbles. I understand the somber tone, but the film loses the dynamic between Lois and Clark and Lois and Superman that made the Christopher Reeve films so fun. The problem mainly lies in the way Lois is portrayed. Her pluckiness is gone and never comes back. Next, the film is too long and the pacing is slow at times. The film takes its time re-establishing the mythos of Superman, but doesn’t spend enough time selling Lois and Superman’s relationship. You end up caring more about Richard, because we understand his predicament.

Now what I liked. Routh is perfect as Superman. He channels the aura of Reeve without imitating him. He is Superman. Even though we don’t get a lot of Clark, he even does a subtler job of creating the awkwardness of the corny reporter. Spacey brings more bite to Luthor, which is understandable after spending five years in jail at the hands of Superman. He works more as a true adversary than just an annoyance.

Director Bryan Singer, who made two of the best comic book films ever in X-MEN and X2, gets the iconic moments of Superman perfect, even if he dwells on them for too long sometimes. The visual effects are top notch. Singer and the scriptwriting team of Michael Dougherty and Dan Harris (X2) find the perfect moments to highlight Superman’s powers.

There’s also talk about the parallels between Superman and Christ and they cannot be denied. However, it’s not overt or preachy. It’s sub-text to bring home the theme that the world is looking for saviors in many places whether it be religion, politics or even comic books. What saves the film from tedium is an emotional pull toward the end when the characters stop hiding their emotions and start acting on them. In addition, a secret is revealed (one that can be easily figured out) that adds an additional emotional weight that’s nice.

SUPERMAN RETURNS has nicely brought back the Man of Steel into our lives. I look forward to his next adventure when we, and the characters, can move past the fact that he was ever gone to begin with.

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Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks