Cinema Eye - Movie News & Reviews
Untitled Page
  Top Links
Top Picks DVD Rental
Top Picks Home Cinema
Top Picks Broadband
Top Picks BlueRay
Top Picks Ringtones
Top Picks Gifts
Top Picks Casino
Top Picks DVD
Top Picks Plasma TV

Superman Returns (2006)


Superman Returns Director: Bryan Singer
Cast: Brandon Routh, Kevin Spacey, Kate Bosworth, Frank Langella
Country: USA
Year: 2006
Score: ****
MPAA Rating:

From Jor-El’s (Superman’s true father) speech to his son: “Even though you’ve been raised as a human being, you are not one of them.  They lack the light to show them the way…I have sent them you… my only son.”, it is a wonder why Christians are not upset at the content of this film.  The new SUPERMAN RETURNS uses quite a bit of biblical teachings such as ‘the father and son are one’ and the above derived famous St. John’s Gospel 3:16 verse.  But writers Dan Harris and Michael Dougherty and director Bryan Singer’s latest SUPERMAN is all heart – which means if there is good intention in mind, they can get away with murder stealing from the scriptures.

SUPERMAN RETURNS is more adventure, fantasy, spectacle and emotion than action.  Director Singer and writers risk the new film with new twists in the SUPERMAN story.  SUPERMAN RETURNS to earth and the city of Metropolis after a period of 5 years, having left to search for clues to his destroyed planet.  Upon his return, he finds Lois Lane (Kate Bosworth) married to Richard White (James Marsden), nephew of Daily Planet chief, Perry White (played with distinguished aplomb by Frank Langella).  Of course, arch villain Lex Luthor (Kevin Spacey) is up to no good planning to claim prime property and rule the world.  Enough said, without revealing any twists to the story.  The question posed is whether or not Lois Lane still loves Superman and vice versa.

SUPERMAN RETURNS running at 150 minutes still makes intriguing viewing.  There is enough story and fantasy to keep both adults and the young fascinated.  Though the plot takes a turn towards the second half, Singer is smart enough to keep the film as a continuation of the 70’s SUPERMAN movies.  The grandeur – John William’s original musical score, the sets especially the Fortress of Solitude, Marlon Brando still voicing Jor-El – are still intact.  SUPERMAN RETURNS, thank goodness for that, is not as dark as last year’s BATMAN BEGINS.  Singer remembers that comic books should and meant to be fun as well.  Most of the lightness occurs during the first half of the film, mostly provided by Luthor’s lines.  The spill on why he (Luthor) does not want to be God is particularly effective.  And Clark Kent has to change into his Superman uniform without the use of telephone booths.

Brandon Routh makes an acceptable though (he is 26) bit youngish Superman. Though it is reported that he went through massive weight training for the role, the film affords only one scene with his bare chest.  Kevin Spacey is good as Luthor though it may be argued that his humour that he provides tend to undermine the evil of his true nature.  It is difficult to believe that this man would drown millions of people.  Langella does best as editorial chief Perry White.  Oscar winner Eva Marie Saint (ON THE WATERFRONT, NOIRTH BY NORTHWEST) has a welcome cameo as Mrs. Kent, Clark’s earthly mother.

From props to costumes to special/CGI effects and sets (most impressive is Luthor’s train set), SUPERMAN RETURNS soars.  Singer knows his comic books (after the X-MEN series) and delivers.


Review by: Gilbert Seah

No Responses to Superman Returns

Why don't you leave one?

Leave a Comment

Remember me.
Submit the word you see below:


Recent News Recent News

Opening The Week of Mar 12
Hurt Locker re-opens in Theatres
Reminder - Doc Soup Screening of GARBAGE DREAMS
Free Quebec Film at the NFB - March 10th
82nd Oscar Ceremony
Weekend Box Office (Mar 5-7) Estimates
Best Bets of The Week
Opening The Week of Mar 5

Recent News Current Reviews

Our Family Wedding
Cactus
Alice in Wonderland
Un Prophete
Brooklyn's Finest
Zooey & Adam
The Ghost Writer
Last Train Home
Cop Out
The Crazies
The Maid (La Nana)
The Messenger
Defendor
Panique au Village (A Town called Panic)
Fish Tank
Shutter Island
Reel Injun
The Wolfman
Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief
Soundtrack for a Revolution
Saint John of Las Vegas
J'ai Tue Ma Mere (I Killed My Mother)
Frozen
From Paris With Love
Dear John
Cinema Eye >> Movie News | Movie Reviews | Forums | Asian Fever | Information
Archives >> News | Reviews | Site
EYEBALL media network  | Cinema Eye | Home Cinema Reviews
RSS FEED
© 1998-2009, Cinema Eye, All rights reserved | Contact CinemaEye