Superman Returns (2006) – Review

Directed by Bryan Singer

For more than two decades Superman has been away from the silver screen, and so not surprisingly, Superman Returns has been one of the most eagerly anticipated movies to be produced. Warners Bros. Pictures gave the green light for another movie to be made, offering the role of Director to Bryan Singer, who‚Äôd been successful with the X-Men movies…

With a trusted team including screenwriters Micheal Dougherty and Dan Harris, Cinematographer Newton Thomas Sigel and Editor/ Composer John Ottman amongst others Singer was well equipped to handle the pressures of such a big film.

Casting an unknown in the role of Superman was important to Director Bryan Singer. He wanted to create a new iconic character with Brandon Routh at the helm, for a new generation of moviegoers who had grown up watching the previous Superman movies on video or on TV, but who did not have the chance to go and watch the movies at the cinemas. I was one of those kids.

From the outset of the film it is clear that Bryan Singer is a huge Superman fan, and so wanted to give nods to the originals in which the late Superman played by Christopher Reeve had become an iconic movie figure. For example, when Clark and Lois walk into the revolving door at the entrance of the ‘Daily Planet’ and when Routh runs in the street ripping open his shirt and revealing the ‘S’. There are other similarities as well, Routh, 26, was the same age as Reeves when he first played the role of Superman, and some have said he has an uncanny resemblance to Reeves, I’ll let you be the judge of that when you see the movie.

So what of Brandon Routh’s performance as the ‘new’ Superman? Well, hats off, a great show of acting especially in the transition from the insecure Clark Kent to the full of confidence Superman. Kate Bosworth who plays Lois Lane is also good, and somewhat different from the Lois Lane in the original movies, as she’s more independent. So to Kevin Spacey who played Lex Luthor, Bryan Singer wanted the character of Lex Luthor to be a lot more dark and ruthless, and appears to be highly educated.

The film is more of a drama, with some good humour and great action scenes complimented with stunning cgi. It has balance, which is essential in a movie like this to keep the audience interested. A definite watch for all you Superman fans out there, and one of the best modern day superhero films since the original Superman films.

10/10 9/10