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June 2006

SUPERMAN RETURNS

ByWilson Morales

SUPERMAN RETURNS

Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Director: Bryan Singer
Screenwriters: Michael Dougherty, Dan Harris
Cinematographer: Newton Thomas Siegel
Composer/ Editor: John Ottmon
Cast: Brandon Routh, Kate Bosworth, Kevin Spacey, James Marsden, Frank Langella, Sam Huntington, Eva Marie Saint, Kal Penn




   

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Of all of the comic books that have had the most productions including TV, Superman is the one to beat. Not only have we had 4 previous films, which starred the late Christopher Reeve, but we currently have a TV show, as well as numerous past TV shows and animated shows. Superman, with maybe the exception of Spiderman, is the most commonly known superhero. When it comes to films, Christopher Reeve graced the audiences with his striking looks and tall figure, yet after the Superman II, the stories fell apart. No one remembers Superman III and IV for those two were probably the worst of many of the comic book films. When talks began to resurrect the franchise, so many drafts were written and many directors and actors were attached to the project. It soon became the film that couldn’t fly, but when director Bryan Singer left his beloved X-Men franchise to helm the film, all of a sudden, the engines were working. If there was anyone who would do justice to Superman and bring him back to the big screen in such a powerful and emotional way, it’s Singer. After all, his two X-Men films have done well critically and financially and connected with fans across the board. Not only is “Superman Returns” the best of the series, but it serves as a companion to Superman II. Filled with emotion, fantasy and adventure, Singer incorporates the right flavor that will appeal to all ages.

In great fashion, Singer borrows heavily from the previous Superman I and II films and brings back the legendary Marlon Brando’s voice as well as John Williams’ magnificent score to start the film as text rolls down and explains that it’s been five years since the Man of Steel had left Earth to find his home, Krypton, after astronomers claimed they had discovered it. The world had changed and so did many lives, so when Superman (played by newcomer Brandon Routh) comes back to Earth, he’s got his work cut out for him. Through his absence, Lex Luther (Spacey) was released from prison and became immensely rich when his elderly wife passed away and gave him all her money. His one true love, Lois Lane (Bosworth), not only went on with her life, but she won a Pulitzer for her article, “Why the World Doesn’t Need Superman”. The biggest shock to Superman/ Clark Kent when he returns to his old job at the Daily Planet is that Lois also has a 5 year old son and is currently living with another man, Richard White, nephew of Editor Perry White (Langella).

At the same time that Superman returns, Luther is up to his old tricks, wanting to gain power and control the world, but this time, he is armed with knowledge, and as the saying goes, “Knowledge is Power”. Tracing Superman’s roots to the Fortress of Solitude, Luther steals the crystals that will be his base of his domination as he intends to create a new world and wipe out continents in its path. In preparation for his inevitable battle with Superman, Luther also has the one thing that will bring the Man of Steel to literally his knees, the green rock Krptonite.

With so many names that were initially attached as Superman, the producer went newcomer Brandon Routh, who not only resembles Reeve in height and looks, but has definitely has screen presence. His delivery of lines captures the essence of what Superman is, a man of wisdom and peace. As Lois Lane, Bosworth may be seen as the weak link with her youth, but she herself brings maturity to the character as the film moves along. Spacey, Singer’s golden muse, having appeared in most of films and winning an Oscar for Singer’s Usual Suspects, has done Gene Hackman proud for his portrayal of the diabolical madman. While some of the humor that Hackman gave to the previous films exists in this version, Spacey adds more menace to the role and is very convincing of it. Other standouts include Parker Posey as the witty Miss Teschmacher, Sam Huntington as photographer Jimmy Olsen, Frank Langella as Daily Planet Editor Perry White, and let’s not forget James Marsden, who briefly appeared in the third X-Men film to have more screen time as the man who currently has Lois’ heart. A great deal of congrats should also be given to screenwriters Michael Doughertt and Dan Harris for coming up with such an inventive story, including the character of one that will keep the franchise, if successful, running for years to come.

In “Superman Retuns”, the producers have to their credit brought back so many elements of that past that any one who was around for any of the previous productions would be proud. From the use of Brando’s commanding voice to Williams’ score, to even the addition of two actors of the television show that starred George Reeves as Superman. A tad long at 157 minutes, kudos goes editor/ composer John Ottman for keeping the pace moving with plenty of action scenes. The plane sequence in which Superman saves the passengers will be the one that most talk about but special effects added to him when flying is stunning. Is it the best of the Superman films? Yes, though one will always love the first one with Christopher Reeve, and Singer has done him and the franchise proud by igniting it with more romance, action, and adventure.