Not having seen, beyond a few ten-minutes scenes, either of the original Superman films (Superman and Superman II), there won't be many comparisons of Brandon Routh (Superman) to Christopher Reeve or Kevin Spacey (Lex Luthor) to his predecessor, Gene Hackman. If that's what you're after, there are plenty of other reviews seemingly centered solely on those criteria.
Superman Returns, directed by The Usual Suspect's Bryan Singer, picks up where Superman II left off — with Superman going into outer space to find the remains of his home planet, Krypton. While he's gone, his former love interest Lois Lane has written a Pulitzer Prize-winning essay entitled "Why The World Doesn't Need Superman", married a clean-cut man who works with her at The Daily Planet newspaper and has had a child.
All of the above seems to point towards a re-imagining of the Superman series and character. However, Returns is more of a faithful continuation than a new start. Singer brings Superman into the modern age but he's not out to reshape Clark's fundamental character like Batman Begins did with the Caped Crusader.
Brandon Routh, assuming the role of Superman, does a good job blending the very masculine aspects of Superman (strength, charisma, etc.) with the geekiness of Clark Kent. He fits the role well, embodying the values that Superman has always represented — integrity, honor, good citizenship, and justice.
Perhaps equally as important to the film's success is Kevin Spacey in the role of Lex Luthor, Superman's eternal nemesis. Spacey's version of Lex Luthor is incredibly bored and very smart - smart enough to realize that he's more intelligent than Superman. Just because Luthor wears a perenially bored look doesn't mean Spacey is boring to watch however — his deadpan wit and impatient glares make him a great choice for Lex.
Article comments