I first need to state that Superman is a bitch of a character to write for. Depending on which incarnation of Supes is under discussion, his powers range from demigod-like to limitless. He has three known weaknesses - kryptonite (well-known), magic (less known) and aliens just as, if not more, powerful than himself (the three Kryptonianas from Supes II count I guess).
I haven't really followed Supes in the funnies over time, but I do know that his highlights revolve around the above three challenges (including his "death") and the loss of the less-than-super people he loves (hi Lois and Lana).
So, knowing that the overexposed and completely non-super Lex Luthor was going to be the main villain in Bryan Singer's much-awaited effort, I kept my expectations down.
Good thing I did. Otherwise, I might have experienced a bigger letdown.
The New Super 'R'
Routh does a credible job as Supes, his digitally-reduced 'package' notwithstanding. Not a lot of lines. His Clark is sufficiently dorky. He has enough presence to command the screen and create sparks with his Lois, Kate Bosworth. Kate also turns in a decent if unspectacular job in her limited role.
Spacey attempts to tear up some scenery as Luthor, but the tone of the film seems to have derailed his performance a bit. I enjoyed some Spacey moments, but in the inevitable comparison with Hackman, Kevin falls just short. The film itself was just a bit campy, and his performance was a bit campier than the film's tone. The mix didn't feel right. And honestly, his lines were pretty much unmemorable.
Not-so-super story
Superman Returns is, at its heart, a love story. Kal's love for Lois is the only human thing about him, and it's the only way you can connect with Supes. While it's not much of a hook considering the larger-than-life scope of the film, this aspect of the story was solid. One of the best scenes was Supes taking Lois on a walk... errr... fly... to apologize for disappearing on her.
Much of the story was slow and rather unexciting. The Luthor conflict was a throwaway. C'mon, stealing Kryptonian crystals to raise a new (really ugly) continent and expecting people to PAY to live there? Singer's a pretty good director, but that story arc is just awful. It makes no sense. A lot of little things don't either, like no one noticing that Supes and Clark return from five-year absences at the same time. Lois left her cell phone in the car, and took her kid into a situation of unknown peril? Luthor not going apeshit over Kitty for dumping the crystals, despite being quite happy at the prospect of killing billions of people?
Does not compute. This is the greatest failing of Superman Returns.
You always have the effects
yes. Luckily, you can toss a few disasters in Superman's way and get some decent cinematic flash out of the digital effects folks. The shuttle scene was fun. The quake, not so much. The Superman flying effects were nice (hear the cape crackle) but it's no more impressive than watching Your Friendly Neighborhood Spiderman swing through New York City. We already expect the effects to be the best that 2006 has to offer, so no extra points are gained.
Bottom Line: It could have been so much more, but Superman Returns risks very little in terms of story and it drops the ball in many aspects of it. The effects are good but not great, the characters are competent but not compelling, and the film overall is decent but in no way essential.
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