Superman Returns (2006) Rated: PG-13 for some intense action violence. Runtime: 154 mins. Director: Bryan Singer Writer: Michael Dougherty & Dan Harris Cast:brandon Routh; Kate Bosworth; Kevin Spacey; Parker Posey; James Marsden ... complete cast Tagline: Superman Returns Momorable Quote: "Billions! Once again, the press underestimates me." Release Date: June 28, 2006 Genre:Action/Adventure/Fantasy Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Official Site:supermanreturns.warnerbros.com/
Reel rating:
2/5
Reel commentary: ... Superman may have returned still the Man of Steel, but he ain't "tha man" by any stretch, just an angst-ridden, sad and lonely guy with the ability to fly and pick up stuff. Excuse me if I'm not all that impressed... full review
Superman has returned, though for this disenchanted moviegoer's money, he could have just stayed in whatever galaxy he's been in, far away from here. The impact would be about the same. It's not to say I don't respect the idea of resurrecting a 1940's nearly invincible superhero with unlimited power...okay, actually I don't. The guy is lame, pure and simple, and his movies have all been lame, from the Richard Donner "classic" on down to Bryan Singer's newest effort. It's not the ridiculous suit he wears, or even the fact that no one can recognize him as Superman when he's Clark Kent. Maybe it's the fact that despite all his power, he can still be bested by a two-bit villain whose main occupation seems to be spouting off over-the-top villainesque platitudes about making Superman pay. I'll grant that Kevin Spacey's Lex Luthor is a tad more menacing than Gene Hackman's interpretation (who was about as scary as that neighbor in Dennis the Menace), though only barely, but his scheme to take over the world is a stretch, and his singular vision is marred by the fact that he has a lot of flair, but no substance. Lex Luthor is Superman's main competition, which is pretty sad. It's even more depressing that Superman's a putz comparatively.
The film opens with Lex inheriting a fortune and using it to build train model continents. Meanwhile, Superman, who has been away for five years searching for the lost remnants of Krypton, returns to find that the world doesn't really need Superman anymore. Indeed, Superman's main love interest, Lois Lane (Kate Bosworth) has moved on in a big way by having a son and dating Richard White (James Marsden), the son of Daily Planet editor Perry White (Frank Langella). Except she hasn't really moved on. Neither has Superman/Clark, who comes back as enamored of Lois as when he left her. Her Pulitzer winning article "Why the World Doesn't Need Superman" (lamest column title ever) hits Clark where it really hurts, and so he begins doing the good guy thing, saving space shuttles in deadly peril, rescuing dames in distress, and generally getting things done like the hardworking man of Steel that he is.
But Lex has plans for Superman, involving stealing world-building crystals out of the Fortress of Solitude (maybe Superman should have made it a Fortress of Impregnability too, since Lex makes it look like anyone with a cruise ship and GPS can find it and visit) and destroying Metropolis and then the rest of the United States, then extorting the rest of the world with exorbitant real estate prices and evil genius juice packs for the kiddies.
The good news is, Brandon Routh makes a pretty decent Superman, even if his Clark Kent is somewhat stale. He seems to be channeling Christopher Reeve at times, which is not always a good thing. Kate Bosworth is depressingly ineffective as Lois. And poor James Marsden is stuck playing second-fiddle roles, though he and Lois' kid are the most interesting characters in the entire thing. Spacey brings Luthor's villain factor up a few notches, but he's still a preening and facetious caricature, more amusing than scary.
What strikes me as odd about the entire Superman world is the number of inconsistencies and illogical fallacies in the Superman mythos. Superman may be good at stopping cars with failed brake lines and errant space shuttles, but how good is he at stopping the Israelis and Palestinians from fighting, or from stopping the AIDs virus from spreading rampantly in Africa and San Francisco? If the world needs a savior, as Superman tells Lois, why doesn't he act like one, instead of a little puppy when he sees Lois hanging out with another man? Superman may have returned still the Man of Steel, but he ain't "tha man" by any stretch, just an angst-ridden, sad and lonely guy with the ability to fly and pick up stuff. Excuse me if I'm not all that impressed.
Language and Sound: English: Dolby Digital 5.1; French: Dolby Digital 5.1; Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1
Other Features: Color; interactive menus; scene access.
Commentary - No commentary available.
Featurettes -
"Requiem for Krypton: The Making of Superman Returns" a three hour documentary that takes you behind the scenes of Superman Returns.
"Superman on the Farm"
"Superman in the City"
"Superman in Peril"
"Resurrecting Jor-El" - How Marlon Brando was brought back for the film.
Deleted and Extended Scenes -
"The Date", "Family Photos", "Crash Landing / X-Ray Vision", "Old Newspapers", "Are You Two Dating?", "Martinis & Wigs", "I'm Always Right", "Jimmy the Lush", "Language Barrier", "Crystal Feet" and "New Krypton"
Another blooper reel follows the closing credits.
Trailer Gallery - includes the teaser and theatrical trailer for the film as well as two video game previews and a sales piece on the Christopher Reeve Superman boxed set.
