supermanreturns

THE SYNOPSIS

Returning to Earth after a 5-year sabbatical to search for Krypton, Superman (Routh) tries to resume his “normal” life as alter-ego Clark Kent. Working again as a reporter of Metropolis’s The Daily Planet, he establishes relationships with many he knew.

There’s his boss, editor Perry White (Langella), cub photographer Jimmy Olsen (Huntigton) and of course, his secret paramour, Lois Lane (Bosworth). While she’s happy to see Clark, she despises Superman for leaving. Life has moves on for her, as she’s the mother of a 5-year old son, Jason (Leabu) and fiancee to Perry’s handsome and righteous nephew Richard (Marsden).

No time for mending broken relationships, as somebody else has missed Superman as well: the dreaded Lex Luthor (Spacey). Freed from jail on a technicality and worming his way into millions via a dying old woman, Lex and his goons plan to kill Superman.

Traveling up to Superman’s Fortress Of Solitude, Luthor and his moll Kitty (Posey) and the others learn about Superman from the crystals featuring the spirit of Jor-El (VFX facsimile of the late Marlon Brando). With the crystals, Luthor intends to destroy half the planet--while rebuilding it with Kryptonian landfill to become THE ultimate real estate tycoon.

Superman tries to make amends with Lois, but then becomes embroiled in the battle with Luthor. It involves young Jason (who may be really Superman’s son), Richard (who lends a helping hand) and a lot of gusto by Big Blue. Though nearly killed by Luthor and his surplus of Kryptonite (stolen from the Metropolis Museum), Superman saves the day; but Luthor escapes. The world is safe for now, and Superman plans to keep it that way!

THE CRITIQUE

After (easily) 15 years, $50 million, a ton of script rewrites, directors and lead-actors coming-and-going, false starts and other “normal” Hollywood dysfunctions, the $150 million SUPERMAN RETURNS (and by the way: that figure does NOT include the aforementioned bundle spent in pre-production). As it stands, the wait was 90% worth it!

As helmed by X-Men expatriate Bryan Singer (X-Men/X-Men 2/The Usual Suspects), this incarnation of the Superman mythos easily falls somewhere in the top 3 Superman movies (#1 is still Superman: The Movie and it’s a toss-up between SUPERMAN RETURNS and Richard Fleischer’s version of Superman II--although the jury’s still out until I screen the Richard Donner cut of Superman II).

Since there’s so much to say about this movie, I shall break down my comments into categories:

Acting

After a long casting search (where actors ranging from Nicolas Cage to Josh Hartnett and many others tried out for the role), a new Superman was chosen: 24-year old Iowa native Brandon Routh--who had (up until 2004) only acted on TV. Just for the record, I always thought that Chris Klein (of American Pie) would have made a good Superman; but we’ll never know...

As it stands, young Goodman Routh is the real deal! Handsome, tall, muscular and possessing many of the attributes that made the late, great Christopher Reeve the best Superman (and that’s my opinion--which I’m sticking to!). While Reeve made the role his own--and thus hard to envision another actor in the big-screen role (notice I’m ignoring the small-screen versions of the Superman stories)--Routh earns his blue tights and red cape.

Even better is Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor. As if channeling the great Gene Hackman’s interpretation of the role, the Oscar©-winning Spacey steals the movie. He has help, because this Luthor is clearly sociopathic and surrounds himself with a gang of miscreants as opposed to the dotty Hackman Luthor and his sidekicks, wise-ass Valerie Perrine and goofy-but-lovable Ned Beatty in Superman: The Movie.

(Although I cannot for the life of me accept Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle actor [and Jersey native] Kal Penn as one of Luthor’s henchmen.)

When it comes to Lois Lane, Margot Kidder comes to mind. Her interpretation of the hot, determined reporter in Superman: The Movie holds up. Kate Bosworth takes on the role here to mediocre effect. She’s lovely, and a decent actress--yet doesn’t really own the role. The young thespian plays a jaded, big city reporter who also happens to be a mother. A bit of a stretch in my opinion.

Rounding out the casting, other Jersey-native Frank Langella is solid as editor Perry White. Young Sam Huntington, as young Jimmy Olsen is OK (although I sometimes feel like punching the young pup ‘cause he can be obnoxious).

The other X-Men expatriate, James Marsden--as White’s nephew/Lois’s fiancee Richard probably has the most difficult role as the other man in the love triangle. His character could’ve been a real prick--and therefore, easy to hate. But the guy is sincere (which places him more in the hate-to-love category).

Although hyped in the media, Marlon Brando’s posthumous cameo in this one is a brief one-albeit very pivotal. His solemn, yet comforting dialogue as Jor-El made the trailer and his scenes in the movie a very heart-rendering one.

Just for the record, the TV versions of Jimmy Olsen and Lois Lane--Jack Larson and Noel Neill--make appearances in this one as Jimmy the Bartender and Luthor’s dying benefactor Gertrude, respectively.

Direction

As aforementioned, Bryan Singer directs this film with reverence. Totally committed to meticulous detail and rich imagery, his contribution to the Superman legacy shines through.

And to think that there were a slew of other directors who have been linked to this production: Wolfgang Petersen (Poseidon/Troy/The Perfect Storm), McG (Charlie’s Angels/Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle) and Brett Ratner (Rush Hour series)--who ironically enough bailed to direct X-Men: The Last Stand when Bryan Singer came on board to direct SUPERMAN RETURNS. Freaky, huh?

Screenplay

As envisioned by Singer and his X-Men 2 scribes Michael Dougherty & Dan Harris, SUPERMAN RETURNS takes place 5 years after the events of Superman II. I think that is a nice touch, as it alludes to the original Reeve series (and the movie does so in many other ways as well). Updated dialogue, yet written in a timeless fashion gives this script some heft as grander themes are explored. There’s plenty of messianic motifs betwixt these sheets, folks.

Cinematography

Speaking of imagery, my hats go off to veteran cinematographer Newton Thomas Sigel (X-Men /X-Men 2/The Usual Suspects) for his sharp, textured, HD-widescreen lensing. While I am not a big fan of the HD format for big-screen motion pictures, his use of the new Panavision Genesis cameras are definitely put to good use.

Gorgeous lensing, elegant framing and composition (of course with the director’s input) and seamless integration with SFX will surely invoke an Oscar© nom for Sigel.

Production Design

Further props are in order for the excellent production design led by X-Men 2 P.D. Guy Hendrix Dyas. Epic, detailed and just brilliant, this category should also prep for an Oscar© nom. For the record, the entire production was created and shot in Australia.

Editing

Courtesy of other Singer stalwarts, X-Men 2 co-editors John Ottman and Elliot Graham. Solid cutting is evident--but explain to me why the movie was truncated (whole subplots have been eliminated)? i know the running time was already long, but this is Superman!

Music

Doing double-duty as the score composer, Ottman nicely evokes the motifs used the great John Williams in his Oscar©-nominated score of the original.

VFX/SFX

Gotta mention this category, as it is flawless! Whereas Superman: The Movie made you believe that a man could fly, SUPERMAN RETURNS practically makes us fly with him! Through the hard work of hundreds of artisans and technicians at 14 FX houses (!), one can almost feel the wind blowing in our face as Superman whizzes through the air. Easily another Oscar© nom in the making!

THE BOTTOM LINE

Superman’s back...and he’s BAAAAD!!!! While there are slight details that annoy me (like the truncated theatrical version I screened and the decision to shoot in HD)--and thus accounting for the other 3% of this film that I didn’t like--this movie rocked!

With all due respect to the late, great Christopher Reeve--may Brandon Routh fly on as Big Blue for a long time. A respectful and entertaining relaunching of a revered icon, SUPERMAN RETURNS and shall do so again and again--as long as they don’t add nipples to the blue suit that is...

CAST: Brandon Routh; Kate Bosworth; Kevin Spacey; James Marsden; Parker Posey; Frank Langella; Sam Huntington; Kal Penn; Eva Marie Saint, Tristan Lake Leabu and the spirit Of Marlon Brando

CREDITS: Director: Bryan Singer; Screenwriters: Michael Dougherty, Dan Harris; Story: Bryan Singer, Michael Dougherty, Dan Harris; Based on characters created by Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster and published by DC Comics; Producers: Jon Peters, Bryan Singer, Gilbert Adler; Director of Photography: Newton Thomas Sigel; Production Designer: Guy Hendrix Dyas; Editors: Elliot Graham & John Ottman; Costume Designer: Louise Mingenbach; Music: John Ottman "Superman" theme: John Williams

AC/V 2006 154m ENGLISH