Superman Returns Review

You know, I wondered why the preview began at 10PM last night. Then someone mentioned it—the flick is two hours and forty minutes.

“Oh my God,” I said…after the movie was done.

This is how Superman is done right, folks. This is how a comic book movie is done correctly.

All of the sins of X-Men 3 can be summed up as such: They didn’t have Brian Singer any more. This guy is absolutely stellar at comic book movies (and others). He made X-Men 1 & 2 classics in the genre, and outdone himself here.

The difference between this new Superman movie and something as shallow as X-Men 3 is that the former focuses on the characters and the latter focuses on the spectacle.

Everyone knows how badass Superman is. Showing scenes of him kicking ass consistently is great for awhile (and we do get some of that), but the most important moments are those which are shared between him and Lois, between he and Lois’s son Jason.

And Lex…wow. Kevin Spacey shines as the devious and funny madman intent on taking over the world.

“Lex,” his sleazy girlfiend Kitty says, “are billions of people really going to die?”

Mr. Luthor takes a long draw off his cigar.

“Yup.”

Too cool people. Too cool.

But what about Brandon Routh? Can he carry on the Superman legacy? Hells yes. This guy is Superman and don’t doubt it for a moment. From the quirky, awkward Clark Kent moments to the most heroic of superhuman acts, this guy delivers. Why should I ever doubt the great Mr. Singer for his choice?

I’m so satisfied with this film it’s hard to adequately explain why. The plot is great and very ‘comic-booky’, the actors rock equally in their roles, and the script doesn’t talk down to the audience. There’s a real sense of danger regarding the characters (particularly Lois Lane), and the emotional undertones are never undercut or overdone.

Just…right.

So thank you Brian Singer for bringing us a movie where the best parts are not the explosions but rather the subtle and powerful use of character, continuity, and emotion.

This is a fantastic Superman film. It is a little on the long side, but considering we won’t get another Supes movie for at least 3–4 years, I’m certainly not complaining.

My friend Jordan didn’t like the movie because he said it was too slow. I say he simply wasn’t paying attention—some of my favorite ‘little moments’ is when Brandon Routh moves his eyebrows just a millimeter to get across emotions that dialogue would ruin. Such moments are lost on people who ‘loved’ X-Men 3.

So getcha ass in a theater this week/weekend and enjoy Superman Returns. You won’t be disappointed.

I am one as you are three
Try to find messiah in your trinity