having Ottman build from it, the re-working of Brando's archive footage, and most of all, the casting of Brandon Routh makes this such an amazingly familiar bridge from the 80's films with all thew wonder of what can be done with film today. All of the components that are necessary to accommodate your past feelings and emotions bridging them forward to this movie are present and in tact. Great job!!!! Let me say that I was on the fence about Routh from all of the trailers I had seen. I was so thankful that it was not Nicholas Cage donning the blue suit poised to ruin my childhood hero, but I wanted what seemed impossible, I wanted Christopher Reeve back in his prime heroic form. The trailers give no hint of the amazing performance that Brandon Routh has turned in. There are moments that just gutshot you right into Reeve's performances. The half cocked smile, the timbre of his voice, the Clark Kent mannerisms perfected by Reeve are echoed here in Routh's delivery as both an homage and as a great device to tie the past generation into this new ability to tell a story with all of the technology at hand.A big Kudos must go to Kevin Spacey and Parker Posey who are awesome as Lex and Kitty. Not too much humor, but some, not too much banter, but enough, and all of the evil you need to see in order to make him truly the enemy of Superman. Perfection! I know it'd be easier to enjoy if I just told you it sucked completely and didn't try to build it up to something you may not think it is, but I have no doubt about it. The story itself is too rich and wonderful and the trailers give away nothing of what's in store for you. There is no way to be disappointed. Take it from me.

"Superman II" starring Christopher Reeve. Even the opening credits will give the classic film fans a bite of nostalgia, simply because of the overall presentation of the opening credits.Director Bryan Singer really does know how to take these 'comic book based' movies to the next level and bring them success or back from hiatus, depending on how you look at it all while making the film watcher's experience something a bit different, not only in terms of plot, but his overall expertise and execution of being a really good director.Actor Brandon Routh definitely does extremely well in his performance as the main character "Superman/Clark Kent" and does so with such natural acting ability, you could have sworn that you've seen him act in many other things. Yes, I really can see him as 'Superman' Actor Kevin Spacey's performance as "Lex Luthor", although not too derived from Gene Hackman's portrayal of the villain, does a great job at bringing a different kind of arrogance to the character. Then again, when has there never been a top notch performance from Spacey? All of the films he's starred in usually have him performing at his best.Actress Kate Bosworth's portrayal of "Lois Lane" wasn't bad, but wasn't great either and for some reason, seems a bit young to be the "Lois Lane" character that fans will remember through Margot Kidder's portrayal in the original Superman films from 1978 to 1987. Personally, I've always seen Lois Lane as a character in her early 30's, not as someone who is as young as Miss Bosworth is, although Bosworth's performance was just enough to be convincing.Overall, Superman Fans WILL be pleased by this 2 hour, 34 minute film that truly shows a triumphant return of the one and only "Man Of Steel".Would I pay to see it again? I plan on it. I'm actually planning on seeing it at the Imax Theater in 3D select scenes in 3D , so why not? I'm sure I'll enjoy it again.

before.The visuals throughout the film are breathtaking and - literally, for me - jaw-dropping. More than a handful of moments/scenes had me riveted and almost giddy with glee over seeing things play out on screen that I had only imagined from my years of pouring over comic book panels.ALL of the "what-if"s I've imagined over the years, regarding the potential for showcasing Superman's abilities using modern film-making technologies were supremely addressed and perfectly played out in so many instances. The flight is stunning. Not just the "up and away" moments or the cruising into space scenes, but the smaller visuals - the hovering up and down, the levitation without pretense - it all just flows seamlessly, making me feel and truly believing Clark could do everything I was seeing. The impact is astounding.A pleasant bonus on the powers/abilities angle is how their uses/needs are written into the action - not just there for just the spectacle/grandeur though they do have that effect in the sense of "he can FLY; he shoots HEAT from his eyes; he has super BREATH; he's FAST - look how cool it all is!" No - the abilities are shown practically, as tools in this hero's arsenal to be a protector and force for good, and hits home the idea that there is NO ONE ELSE who could do what he does - especially for the selfless, greater-good mentality he exhibits. Without being specific, some of the heat-vision scenes are just plain awesome. And the showcase of his strength is climaxed toward the last half-hour in a god-like feat that just gave me chills. Just another stunning, indelible visual in a film that is so beautifully shot, with such reverence for the icons, that it literally made me misty.What I noticed this film does well as a contrast to recent "event" hero films is in allowing the action sequences time to get established, with longer shots and less frequent cuts. Other reviewers have described it as giving the developments room to "breathe", and I agree. There is less of a frenetic pacing to the 'wham-bam' moments that keep your adrenaline up, which in turn gives the scope of what unfolds more of an epic/grand feeling. We get a little more time to appreciate the "heroics", which lends a little more realism and situational gravitas to the feats we see happening, and I think the older fans who appreciate the weight of the history behind Superman as a character will value this style more.And for all the greatness in the action moments we get, the literal 'heart' of the story lies in the emotional toll found in Clark's/Superman's alienation - pun not intended. Singer and his screenwriters manage to infuse a powerful sense of loneliness in Clark that has seldom been touched upon as effectively, without saccharine camp. And the feeling evoked isn't overly angst-filled or tortured, like those associated with Peter Parker or Bruce Wayne, because that isn't who Superman is. It gives a feeling of sadness in the audience's realization that Clark is a pretty solitary figure - the last of his civilization, apparently not too missed by those from his former personal life and the world as a whole. He returns to find that these emotional ties/foundations have shifted while he was away, and the world has maintained its way without him.Of course, the fact that his reappearance to the world occurs in just the nick of time literally is a slick way to start the emotional shift that Clark will find himself facing by the story's end. His necessity to the world in general is once again demonstrated, and there are huge developments that fundamentally change the course of his existence as a Kryptonian on Earth. There is a big reveal about two-thirds of the way through that answers the biggest plot/character question posed from the onset, and is something that has never been done in any form of Superman canon before. It's an intriguing turn to the mythos, for sure, and there will no doubt be much debate over the relative positives and negatives this may have on the franchise in general. For me, it is handled well, and sets up one of the final scenes that emotionally sucker-punched me in a good way . If the film's outcast/alienation theme has had any resonance with the viewer at all by this point, then this scene will pack a wallop. It did for me.There's not enough room here to get into the quality of the casting - of which I had some initial questions, but was quickly satisfied thoroughly. Everyone brings these characters to life, and makes the roles their own.IMO, if you enjoyed the original film, you'll appreciate this one. There are still laugh-out-loud moments that will keep a smile on your face while you prepare for the next heart-thumping crescendo of action. And there are more than a few visual moments that directly reference classic comic images over the last 68 years - most notably, the cover of Action Comics #1. Small details like that give me a profound respect for where Singer's vision has taken us into a re-launch of the franchise, and it makes me more than pleased that my hero's film-future seems to be in more than capable hands.

amazing...not only does he capture the role of Superman perfectly. He recaptures the Clark that Christopher Reeves showed us. Its almost uncanny you'll see what I mean. The story line is where everyone gets hung up, but you just have to give it a chance. You have to look at it this way. Singer had the choice of whether or not to show us the same story we've all seen before or to come with something totally new. And thats what He did he brought us a story we haven't seen before we don't automatically know how this will end or even where he is going with it in the next film. But thats good. With Hollywood overrun with remakes and regurgitated story lines its exciting to NOT know where this is going. Another complaint you might hear is the pace. "Its not as action packed as spiderman 2 or x-men 2 it didn't live up to potential". For this answer you have to remember X-men 1. Singer likes to build a base storyline to work with. X-men 1 was not near as action packed as the 2nd one. But he built the characters. I feel like thats what he did in this film. He works a little character development in. It does slow up the pace and make the movie a little long. But I think overall the next film will benefit from it. So I would definitely recommend seeing this film...maybe not the latest showing. But its the first must see of the summer. I'm ready to see it again already

heard, five or so years after the events chronicled in Superman II. Lex Luthor is out of jail and eager to pickup on a real estate scheme similar to his plan in the original Superman: The Movie but this one is of planetary proportions. As a result, Singer and screenwriters Michael Doughtery and Dan Harris wisely move away from bringing in a comicbook-inspired super-baddie to rough up our hero and instead focus on Luthor's hatred of a "god in blue tights" revolving much of the main fight in a Super man vs. nature spectacle. Whereas the main star of the film is probably the extensive but-brilliantly-done CG F/X, most of the actors step up to bat as well. Brandon Routh's Reeve-esquire performance highlights his ability to be both heroic and commanding as well as stammering and sheepish while performing as the titular bespectacled civilian identity. Two-time Oscar winner Kevin Spacey channels Gene Hackman and plays up Luthor's sharp smile conning the audience one second and killing them the next. Even Frank Langella's Perry White seems comfortable. Only Kate Bosworth's Lois Lane, although adequate enough, seems to lack that passionate fire that makes Lane such a compelling character.The film is filled with Breakfast of Champions scenes and action staged to please both the general audience and fanboys as well. For those who care, be sure to take note of the nods to Action Comics #1 1938 , Man Of Steel 1986 and a very clever re-cap of Superman's first two films all told via Luthor's model train room. Unfortunately, not even this film is perfect as the results of the finale are dealt with in a depressing manner that not only spoil the mood but also the tempo of the film. Then there is the sub-plot dealing with the mysterious lineage of Lois' son that perhaps boldly goes into territory that even the much-more brazen monthly comics have yet to go. The pondering of this question really only proves that maybe those comics are best left to such exploration allowing the movies to grow as fantastical companion pieces. Spider-Man's Sam Raimi might be only director to fully grasp this concept. Until, at least, Christopher Nolan creates another Batman film.As certain as believing that a man can fly, Singer crafts a tale full of magic and wonder that almost makes the 20-year wait manageable – as long as Singer's follow-up appears faster, than say, a speeding bullet.

with more humanity and personality. He never comes across as a "comic book" character. Reeve has owned the role for 28 years at this point; no other actor has been able to earn it up to this point. But Routh put in his dues and he deserves it. He is Superman now. Consider the torch passed.Kate Bosworth plays Lois Lane much as you'd expect. She's tough as nails, a career woman, and is more than just a damsel in distress, but motherhood does add an interesting new dynamic to the character. James Mardsen is good as her live-in boyfriend/fiancée/whatever, and doesn't ever cover his eyes up. Oddly enough, the only original cast members I really found myself missing were Jackie Cooper Perry White and Marc McClure Jimmy Olsen . Their roles are the only ones I felt weren't recast well. The new Perry White was flat and uninteresting, and the new Jimmy Olsen is the Jar Jar Binks of this film. Hopefully they iron out the wrinkles in their performances by the time the inevitable sequel comes around.I was a little apprehensive when I read that Bryan Singer was going to be very faithful to Richard Donner's original vision, since it would be very easy for the project to descend into rehash. But rather than use Donner's film as a template to plug his own actors and lines into, Singer instead fashions his own film with a unique tone, albeit with frequent nods to the original. It's hardly a copy of the 1978 film, but it never misses an opportunity to throw in a few classic chestnuts for the fans. Also, look for Jack Larson and Noell Neil Jimmy Olsen and Lois Lane from the '50s television series, respectively in small roles. To further tie this film in with the original, John Williams' original music cues are arranged into the score for great effect, and the opening credits are a modernized version of the classic sequence.The special effects in this film are incredible. There are some action scenes where Routh's performance is mixed with a CGI Superman, but the animation is impeccable enough that it's occasionally genuinely difficult to distinguish between the two. And this isn't Spider-Man. The artists didn't have the luxury of a hero who wears a full body suit and a full-face mask. They had to convincingly recreate Routh's face, hair, and expressions, and they do an admirable job. This is the absolute peak of Hollywood's current computer imagery capabilities.I won't say much about the plot. Luthor's scheme echoes the original Superman film: destroy old land and the people on it , build new land over it. But that's where the similarities end. This time around, the real estate aspects of the evil plan are almost inconsequential. The focus is placed squarely on Luthor's revenge against Superman, and Kevin Spacey plays the part very well. He plays it a little less silly and a lot more dark and vicious than Gene Hackman did, but there are still a few moments of humor when the villains are around. The casting choice of Parker Posey as Luthor's female sidekick has gotten some attention, but it's not a big deal. Her character is basically a stand-in for the role Valerie Perrine originally played.Much of the plot is Superman and Lois coming to terms with lost love, but it isn't as nauseating as certain journalists seem to be playing it off as. Early reports of the film being a "chick flick" are exaggerated to the point of idiocy. Of course, Singer deserves some of the blame for this, since he originally made the "chick flick" remark in jest during an interview. And, as anybody who has read the press summary of the film knows, Lois Lane has a child, whose parentage may be more than it seems.All in all, I'm not sure I'd say it beats Donner's film. But it certainly beats any other screen version of Superman to date. I can't wait to see it in IMAX with the 3D scenes.

.Faster then a speeding bullet, more questions raced into my head . Would the Superman franchise once again become more powerful then a locomotive? Would it leap box office records in a single bound? Or, would it forever entrap The Man of Steel into the Phantom Zone next to the failed comic book movies of The Hulk and Catwoman?First off, this is not a remake. Superman Returns comes to us 5 years or so after the events of Superman II, thankfully ignoring the stories of Superman III and Superman IV: the Quest for Peace. Our hero learned astronomers had discovered remnants of the planet Krypton, Superman's home world. He decides to go back and check things out for himself, to see if he is truly the lone survivor. Gone for years, the world, including Lois Lane have moved on. Lois has won a Pulitzer Prize for her article "Why the World Doesn't Need Superman". She's engaged and has a son. Lex Luthor is out of prison, still looking to rule the world. Once back, he must regain the trust and love of the world, including Lois Lane.An all too short 2 and a half hours later, I had my answers. Yes, yes, and no! Superman Returns comes through with flying colors! get it...red, blue, yellow...Superman can fly...come on, it's good! . Wonderfully paced, I was not at all looking at my watch even though the running time is 2:30ish wondering when the story would move along. The characters developed quickly and each was believable in their roles. Sam Huntington plays an excellent Jimmy Olsen and the always "on" Kevin Spacey matches Gene Hackman in his portrayal of Lex Luthor. Kate Bosworth does very well as Lois Lane. She hasn't been "cleaned Up" for the new movie, which was a nice surprise. She still smokes, ignores the orders of her boss and, now, had a child out of wedlock. References to Superman the Movie and Superman II, via quotes and storyline, are everywhere in Superman Returns. They, along with a really nice twist, are well placed and work well to tie the movies together. Happily, not at all overdone or "cheesy". There's plenty of action and some really neat effects, which compliment the story.Brandon Routh, a relative unknown, seamlessly switches between Superman and Clark Kent. Clark is his usual bumbling self, but believable and not at all schticky. He plays Superman with a romantic feeling with his flowing cape and his flying. Routh's emotion filled facial expressions let you into exactly how he's feeling and dealing with everyone's reaction to his long absence. Including his relationships with Lois and Lex. No crime is too big or too small for this Superman. Some say he looks and sounds too much like Christopher Reeve's Superman. Big deal. It's not distracting at all and early on it's easy to get into Routh as the new Man of Steel. From the applause at the end of the movie, to eavesdropping into the conversations coming out of the theater, hardcore and casual fans alike will enjoy Superman Returns.

Reeve's 'Superman II' thankfully ignoring the events in the lacklustre 'Superman III and IV' . Superman, after five years of searching for the remains of his homeplanet Krypton, has returned to Earth to resume his life as Clark Kent only to find things moved on without him. Lois Lane is now mother to five-year-old son Jason and engaged to Perry White's nephew Richard. She is also thoroughly disenchanted with Superman although it soon becomes clear there is much unresolved feelings between the two. But between juggling his conflicting emotions for Lois and his duties to protecting the population, Superman has to face his arch-enemy Lex Luthor, who has stolen the crystals from the Fortress of Solitude and is intent on using them to rule the world.It was never going to be easy Brandon Routh to step into Christopher Reeve's shoes but he takes it in his stride, managing to capture the bumbling but kindly nature of Clark and the strong, reserved demeanour of a Superman who strives to find a balance between his alien heritage and the life he has made for himself on Earth. He both makes the role his own yet does well in succeeding where Reeve left off. Kate Bosworth was also another surprise. I was very disappointed in her casting initially but seeing her perform in the film left me realising that she was perfect for the job as she portrays the cocky and determined yet vulnerable Lois to a tee. Kevin Spacey was great as the obsessive, slightly unhinged Luthor who possesses a real hatred for our hero while Parker Posey gave us a nicely-portrayed 'shades of grey' character in Kitty, a villain with a heart. Even the little moppet who played Jason gave a decent performance without being wooden or grating.What I loved most about the film is that it delivered an interesting storyline that didn't reject the first two 'Superman' films, which are classics in the heart of any Superman fan and had already done a good job in covering the origins story. But at the same time, it didn't shirk in giving us deeper insights into the character of Superman, the solitary hero and the man who just wants to fit in. What was a pleasant surprise was that the film also refused to dumb down to small children in the audience, which is a growing problem with many Hollywood films that over-dose on infantile humour to appeal to kids resulting in boredom for anyone over fourteen. There was humour, some on a level to make children laugh, but overall there was a nice mix of action, romance and darkness aimed more at an older audience. They even avoid the clichéd pitfall of portraying Lois' love interest to be a sanctimonious twit and instead he came across as a genuinely nice guy who shows that it's understandable why she has problems choosing between him and SupermanIn fact, my only real problem was that there wasn't enough interaction between Lois and Clark, which would have been nice as Clark's jealousy towards his alter-ego and the attention Lois lavishes on him is a large part of the story yet in the film, you felt as if Clark and Superman really were two different people with Clark just being some rather random guy. However, it can be over-looked by the fact that Clark was so happy to just have Lois' attention that he didn't care whether it was projected onto himself in his real personality or on Superman.For anyone who has yet to see the film, I do recommend it and don't allow yourself to be put off by nitpickers complaining about the actors' being too young better they be a shade on the younger side than going the 'Smallville' route where you have adults in their late twenties and thirties prancing around pretending to be teens and just looking ridiculous for it or that the film is too long even the eight-year-olds in the audience sat quietly, glued to the screen, for the entire film or that it's bland no more so than 'Spiderman' . I, for one, thoroughly enjoyed it and am looking forward to a sequel. After a rather dull summer at the cinema, this film renewed my faith in the summer blockbuster!

striking. Bonus points go to Singer for including Brando clips for Superman's father.In my opinion, a good superhero movie should make the audience want to live in the world which the hero inhabits, or wish that the hero truly existed in reality. This movie does just that- makes you wish there was such a force of truth and justice living in our world.