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.