Superman Returns

I waited until I saw this movie for a second time, so I could try and get my thoughts in order for this review and make sure my gut reaction was my real reaction and not just a fanboy reaction.

Well, I loved it. More the second time than the first.

Most of the complaints I hear have to do with the fact that we aren’t really covering any new ground in this movie. Well, there is truth to that. Superman vs Lex in some diabolic scheme. Lois swooning over Superman and having another flying over the city moment.

I was ready to hear “Can You Read My Mind?” again.

But, it has been 20 years since the first movie. So some rehashing has to be expected to bring people back up to speed. Most people that I know who have seen the original don’t even remember it.

My biggest worry about the film actually, was the kid. I had storyline fears going into the movie and the fears were realized, but was handled in a way that actually, I thought, added to the movie, rather than harm it, like I was expecting.

I thought Kate Bosworth and Frank Langella were both fantastic as Lois and Perry. I always had a problem with Jimmy Olsen. He always annoyed me and does the same here.

James Marsden as Lois’ fiance was good casting and played the part well. I’m a Parker Posey fan and thought she was funny as Kitty, and actually wished she had a little more dialogue.

Kevin Spacey as Lex was great and he nailed the ‘Gene Hackman’ Luther, if that’s what you were going for. And I’m assuming that is exactly what they wanted as they also cast Brandon Routh.

Brandon Routh is Christopher Reeve. Not only does he have a passing resemblance, but his voice IS Chirstopher Reeve. To close you eyes and listen to the movie you would think Reeve was on screen.

His performance almost completely mimics Reeve’s Clark Kent. And as Christopher Reeve IS Clark Kent and he IS Superman, you could do alot worse than trying to replace him with his virtual clone.

And Routh pulls it off. He looks like Superman, sounds like Superman and feels like Superman. He just works.

Of course the special effects are amazing and it’s almost a waste of space to talk about effects in this day and age. But it was great to see flying done right. You will believe a man can fly.

Rumors are that if this movie doesn’t make $200 million, there will be no sequel. This movie needs a sequel, so please if it starts to struggle in the 180’s go see it again.