07/06/06 Superman Returns

Superman Returns (2006), directed by Bryan Singer

watched w/ Leslie, Mike A., Janine & Eric; theater (Exploris: IMAX, Raleigh, NC); 3-D

Wow. It's that simple. All it takes for me to revert back to my childhood and wondrous amazement of superhero figures on screen...is well, a superhero figure returning after a long hiatus and splashed across a panoramic IMAX screen and donning some goofy 3-D glasses for the full effect of his lofty powers. Yeah, maybe I'm a big kid at heart (I know I am), but this one was great and deserving of a new generation being swept up by the Man of Steel's heroics. I know that this film has been quite a studio project in the making for years now with things like budget, lining up a good & willing director, casting perfectly without just duplicating the older versions in the 80's. I still think this version 2.0 nailed it. With admiration and acknowledgement to Christopher Reeve's portrayal in those early classics (don't even count #3 or 4), Brandon Routh did a solid job as both the low-key dork Clark Kent and the smirky super-ego Superman. They also had a nice honor to both Reeve & his late wife in the end credits. The story picks up after Superman's mysterious absence from Metropolis for several years, when old arch-nemesis Lex Luthor (Kevin Spacey) hatches a plan for his own return to the evil genius ranks. Luthor has traveled to Superman's secret hideout and stolen powerful Krypton crystals that generate energy so powerful it can destroy large land masses (the U.S.) while creating its own new continents. Oh yeah, and in his absence, Superman's love interest Lois Lane (Kate Bosworth) has also moved on in life...denouncing the need for a hero, and starting a new family with husband and son. How's that for shattering some childhood dreamworlds for us cinema lovers huh? Clark gets his old job back at the paper covering events like Superman's return to glory, all the while trying to keep his identity secret and save the woman he loves (and her family). The more things change, the more they stay the same. Spacey does a great job as the evil-doer Luthor, with all his "Seven"-esque psychopathy...and the supporting cast is good with notables Parker Posey (my mad indie crush), Frank Langella, and archival footage of even Mr. Marlon Brando. The film goes to such dark and realistic depths of human emotion too (which I can only imagine is pulled more from the comic books over the years) in showing Lois' romantic struggles, Clark's loss of his father, and eventually the Man of Steel himself facing death at the hands of Luthor & kryptonite. The community rally around him in vigil, and Superman once again is able to vanquish evil from the world. C'mon...I didn't ruin it, you knew he'd win! Oh, and the special effects and 3-D montages were so worth the ridiculous price of admission. We're all kids again. Thanks Superman.

5 out of 5 stars