ALLAN HUNTER at the Movies

IT IS ALMOST thirty years since ‘Superman’ made us all believe that a man could fly. It was a defining moment in the history of the comicbook blockbuster. The shoddy sequels may have tarnished that moment but now ‘Superman Returns’ attempts to restore some lustre to the series.

Directed by Bryan Singer of ‘X-Men’ renown, it is a serious-minded epic with enough magical moments to make you believe that a superhero can be reborn.

Almost a sequel to ‘Superman 11’, the new film begins with Superman (Brandon Routh) returning to planet Earth after a five year absence. He has discovered that reports of planet Krypton’s continued existence were exaggerated and that he is the last of his race.

Life has moved on in his absence. Lois Lane (Kate Bosworth) has a boyfriend Richard (James Marsden) and a four year-old son. She has also won the Pulitzer Prize for an article entitled ‘Why The World Doesn’t Need Superman’.

Lex Luthor (Kevin Spacey) has also been busy, and now unleashes another dastardly plan to dominate the world. Humanity has never been more in need of a saviour.

Although it has some very spectacular action sequences, ‘Superman Returns’ impresses because it also has the human touch, presenting a superhero burdened with emotional problems and failings.

Newcomer Brandon Routh couldn’t look more like the late Christopher Reeve if he tried, and a creepy Kevin Spacey comfortably fills Gene Hackman’s shoes as the arch villain Lex Luthor.

Vintage footage of Marlon Brando as Superman’s father and the original signature tune mean this is a film that respects the past and opens up exciting possibilities for the future. It is one of the better Summer spectaculars.

Nationwide release
Director: Bryan Singer
Stars: Brandon Routh, Kate Bosworth, Kevin Spacey, James Marsden, Eva Marie Saint, Frank Langella
Screenwriters: Michael Dougherty, Dan Harris
Certificate: 12A
Running time:  154 mins
Country: USA
Year: 2006

© Allan Hunter, 2006