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"Does he still stand for
Truth, Justice...all that stuff?"
SUPERMAN RETURNS to Earth,
Metropolis, and the Big Screen, finally! With the rapid decline of Superman
story telling during the 1980's, and the injury and subsequent passing of
the Man of Steel himself, Christopher Reeves, a new incarnation of this
Kryptonian's story was long in the works. Rumors of using computer animation
to use Reeve's likeness to Nicholas Cage assuming the mantel of Steel
literally scared the crap out of fans for years. When X-MEN director, Bryan
Singer, announced his leaving the X3 project for a new Superman...fans saw
light at the end of a dark, long tunnel.
Re-launching such a classic
character that is apart of American iconography is brutal, and Singer took
the hard road in casting an unknown actor, Brandon Routh. Could he pull off
Clark Kent and Superman? When news began to leak that Singer wanted to use
the original SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE and SUPERMAN II as the background for his
new film, fans wondered if Routh would ever make us forget Reeves' in a
continuation story. But when composer John Williams declined to score the
film and gave his reason that it would be too painful and experience because
Routh reminded him of his friend, Chris Reeves...sighs of relief could be
heard throughout internet fandom.
Indeed there never was a
reason to fear.
From the opening frames of
the Warner logo, and the sneak of Superman fanfare, we all return to the
time of the original film when we believed a man could fly. As the
recreation of the original opening credits soared past to the familiar John
Williams music, now scored by the capable John Ottman, the excitement is
almost palpable.
Superman has been away
searching for the remains of his home planet, Krypton. After his five year
absence on a futile mission, Kal-el returns to his home on earth. But this
is a different world Superman comes back to. This is a world that has
forgotten Superman and moved on. So to has Lois Lane (Kate Bosworth), who is
now a mommy and engaged to Richard White (James Marsden), nephew to Daily
Planet Editor-in-Chief, Perry White (Frank Lagella). Bringing the story to a
more contemporary emotional level, the last son of Krypton finds himself
coping with regret and loss of the one woman he truly cared for.
Superman returns to
Metropolis to inevitably face off against his old nemesis, Lex Luthor (Kevin
Spacey). Luthor, still obsessed with land and distain for Superman, has
devised a scheme that puts in jeopardy billions of human lives. With his
token female accomplice Kitty (Parker Posey) at his side, Lex prepares for
his deadly face off with Superman by once again arming himself with
Kryptonite.
SUPERMAN RETURNS is an
absolute joy to watch. It was the best film of 2006, without question. It
perfectly pays homage to Richard Donner's work on the original SUPERMAN: THE
MOVIE. For fans of Donner's film, this movie will fulfill every longing to
see the man in blue tights zip about the sky. Every loveable moment from the
first film is echoed here, from Superman's charm to Kent's wacky
awkwardness...even Miss Lane still wants to put too many 'F's' in
'Catastrophic'.
Are the flaws in the film,
certainly. The cheese is present, and a few gags give me a slight yawn...but
the energy and heart of Superman is present in spades. At over two and a
half hours long, I can never get enough of this film. The action sequences
are amazing. The character development is extremely strong. The emotion is
powerful.
In reference to the new cast,
the choices are perfect. From the moment we see Routh bumbling through the
Daily Planet, we feel right at home. As we watch Superman fly to the rescue,
we can't help but feel melancholy at the loss of Christopher Reeves, but
also gratitude that Routh fills his shoes in such a way that leaves us
without regret.
Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor is
certainly a change from Gene Hackman's interpretation. Now, don't get me
wrong...I love Hackman's Luthor ("We all have our little faults. Mine's in
California.") BUT, Luthor is devious. He IS a scary villian. Spacey gives us
a great balance between Luthor's wry humor and vicious brutality.
Kate Bosworth, however, takes
some time to warm up to the audience. But remember, this is a different Lois
Lane. She has had her heart broken by Superman's departure and is no longer
the star struck girl Margot Kidder portrayed. But as you spend time with
Bosworth's Lois, you feel her longing and conflicted feelings for both
Richard and Superman. When both Routh and Bosworth share the screen, I can't
help but get a little misty myself. Their chemistry works perfectly well in
the film.
I grew up on the original
Superman movies. I have a vested interest in this series' success...I want
to return to the joy I felt watching SUPERMAN as a kid. Well, SUPERMAN
RETURNS does just that for me and more. It gives me great hope and
excitement considering that in 2009 we'll see Bryan Singer tackle this
films' sequel, SUPERMAN: THE MAN OF STEEL. I can't wait. |
