Superman is back, and he's better than ever.
In the new movie "Superman Returns" the man of steel returns to earth after a mysterious five-year hiatus, during which he has been to his home planet Krypton in search of more of his people. During his absence, Metropolis has been without the Daily Planet reporter Clark Kent and the world has been without its superhero.
The movie, wonderfully directed by Bryan Singer, who also directed both X-men movies, begins with a narration in the beyond-the-grave voice of Marlon Brando, who was a character in Richard Donner's 1978 "Superman." His outtakes from that movie are used in the new movie, and they sure do make an impression.
Brando portrays Superman's father, Jor-El, and hearing his voice certainly adds a lot to the film. He has a haunting voice, and his words of "They could be a great people if they wish to be, Kal-El. They only lack the light to show the way," cement that this is a father's plea to his son to go down and help the people of Earth.
The movie begins with a riveting action sequence: A space shuttle attached to a plane failed to come apart, and now the plane, filled with various members of the media, including Lois Lane, who have come along for the plane's inaugural ride, are heading toward space.
In this version of Superman, Kevin Spacey plays Superman's arch nemesis, Lex Luthor, who has recently escaped out of prison and is ready for some revenge. He has concocted a scheme to grow his own continent, at a cost of the rest of the world, and he's eager to set his plan into action.
The world certainly is happy to have their savior back, but Clark finds himself realizing that a lot of things have changed during the years that he has been away. Lois, played by Kate Bosworth who tries but ultimately fails to capture the essence of the character, has a child now as well as a new love interest, Richard White, nephew of the stately grandfather figure of the Daily Planet, Perry White. Richard is played by James Marsden.
However, little Jason is also hiding some secrets, and Lois is as well.
Newcomer Brandon Routh does an amazing job in the title role, and he looks enough like Christopher Reeve to remind us of the superhero from years past.
Other actors were superbly cast as well. Frank Langella does a wonderful job as Perry. Sam Huntington is a great Jimmy Olsen, wide-eyed and full of energy. Spacey is wonderful as Lex Luthor; he is pure evil and gives Luthor few emotions, save for contempt for the man of steel. Parker Posey plays Luthor's girlfriend, Kitty Kowalski, and she does a good job, giving Kitty a soft spot for Superman, but a fear of Luthor that commands her to listen to his every word.
The only miscast was Bosworth as Lois Lane. She tried to model the character after a young Katharine Hepburn, and Lois has a great serious side, but I don't think she smiled once during the movie. It was also very hard to picture the tiny actress as the mother of a five-year-old child.
Overall, I found the movie to be very enjoyable, full of great action scenes and a well-written script. "Superman Returns" is the epitome of a summer blockbuster and I guarantee that it's a lot of fun.
