Below The Beltway

Its pretty fair to say that I’ve been looking forward to Superman Returns since the first trailers started appearing on the web a year (or was it more ?) ago. Heck, I was looking forward to the next incarnation of the Man of Steel long before that, when I read the rumors on Ain’t It Cool News about plans for the next generation of Superman; whether it was the rumored Superman vs. Batman script, or the aborted project that would’ve stared Nicholas Cage (which, in retrospect, was probably a good idea). I’m not into the comic books, but, growing up, I was a big fan of the Christopher Reeve movies (at least the first two) and can remember watching the 1950s serial starring George Reeves on New York area Saturday morning television in the 70s.

That’s why some of the negative reaction that I wrote about earlier this week had me concerned. Superman Returns has a lot to live up to. Not only is there the half-century legacy of the Superman story itself, but the movies starring Christopher Reeve are the Superman story for most people familiar with the story. From some of the reviews, it sounded like the movie wasn’t going to live up to the hype.

And, maybe for some people it hasn’t. As far as I’m concerned though, Superman Returns is an able successor to Superman and Superman II.

First of all, it needs to be said that this isn’t serious filmmaking we’re talking about here. Outside of the special effects and costume categories where there may be some nominations, Superman Returns will not win any Academy Awards. It is meant to be a fun summer blockbuster. And, in that role, it succeeds quite well.
From the beginning of the movie, the one thing that becomes clear is Bryan Singer’s determination to keep his movie faithful to the vision of the 1978 and 1981 movies. And it starts with the opening credits, which are an updated, 21st Century version of the graphics that opened Superman itself. Through the magic of videotape, Marlon Brando returns as the voice and image of Jor-El, father of the Man of Steel. Even the plot itself is a nod to the 1978 version; Lex Luthor has a devious plot to attain untold wealth in a way that will result in the deaths of billions, and he knows, or at least soon learns, that Superman stands in his way.

When the movie opens though, we are in a world that has been without Superman for five years. Though it isn’t explained all that well, it seems he went off into space searching for some remanants of his homeworld. In that time, the world has tried to get along with out its protector and even Lois Lane has declared that the world does not need Superman.

And another thing about Lois……she’s a Mom now. Yea, not too much more about that particular plot element. Except to say that the writers and director allow this story to unfold quite well, leaving little hints here and there throughout the movie and not answering the question of who and what this child is until the very end. Nicely done.

It was strange seeing Kate Bosworth as Lois Lane, and her Lois seemed to be missing the harder edge that Margot Kidder brought to the role. But, then again, the Lois we’re seeing is one who’s been a mother for five years, she’s bound to have changed in that time. Though she’s still a chain smoker, even in 2006.

Kevin Spacey plays an excellent Lex Luthor, at times more sinister and less comical that Gene Hackman’s Luthor was. I look forward to his next confrontation with our hero in future sequels.

And then there’s the star. Brandon Routh was, I think, perfectly cast for this role. His obvious resemblence to Christopher Reeve circa 1978 is one reason, but there’s also the fact that, at some point in the movie, it really did feel like I was watching a sequel to the first two films.

As others have commented, the special effects are amazing and make the first Superman movie look childish at times by comparison. But there’s a story there as well, and its not just about Superman saving
the world.

And, there’s the nostalgia. As I mentioned, this movie is very much an homage to the earlier films and it felt great to sit in a theater again and hear John Williams’ score blaring out through a 21st Century sound system.

In my earlier post on the movie, I asked whether Superman Returns was too long. Several reviews mentioned that the plot seemed to move slowly and that the movie was too long. So, is it too long ? Does it move slow ? I certainly didn’t think so. And, when you see the way that Superman reveals his return to Earth within the first 30 minutes of the movie, I don’t see how you can say the movie lacked a punch. But, to each his own I guess.

So, if you’re looking to go to the movies to see a great spectacle and cheer for a guy who fights for good and aganst evil, there really isn’t any better choice this weekend than Superman Returns.

Other blogger reviews by James Joyner, Chad Dotson, Michelle Malkin

Previous Posts:

Truth, Justice, And What ?
Superman or Superdud
The Passing Of The Cape
Very, Very Cool