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Superman ’steels’ the show in ‘Superman Returns’
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“Superman Returns” has it all: action, romance, and men in tights. Brandon Routh stars as the Man of Steel, Kate Bosworth as his cynical love interest Lois Lane, and Kevin Spacey as the evil villain Lex Luther. The newest edition to the Superman saga really knows how to deliver.
After decades of fighting crime through comic books, movies, and several television series, Superman was due for a little rest and relaxation on his home planet Krypton. In “Superman Returns” he comes back to the city of Metropolis after a long hiatus.
Using his alias, Clark Kent, Superman tries to re-establish his life-particularly in the area of his old flame, Lois Lane.
However, Lois has moved on to a new life without the Man of Steel.
She even wrote an article entitled “Why the World Doesn’t Need Superman,” which earned her a Pulitzer Prize. Ouch.
As if all that drama wasn’t bad enough, Superman discovers that Lex Luther has concocted a dire scheme. Let’s just say it involves Luther creating his own nifty continent (made out of Kyrptonian crystals) that would result in a world flood.
Once again it’s up to Superman to save the day, and it doesn’t take rocket science to figure out if he’ll be victorious.
Though the plot is predictable, the film possesses many positive qualities-most notably the special effects. In one scene, Superman uses his power of flight and tremendous strength to stop a plane from crashing.
The sophisticated special effects make his powers realistic as he flies through the air at the speed of light and brings the doomed plane safely to the ground.
The acting is also nothing to sneeze at. Newcomer Routh has some big shoes to fill, but he does an exceptional job carrying on the Man of Steel role made famous by the late Christopher Reeve.
Like a chameleon, Routh easily shifts back and forth between the shy Clark Kent and the almost-invincible Superman who still gets weak in the knees over Lois Lane.
Taking a turn from her hardcore surfer role in “Blue Crush,” Bosworth portrays Lois Lane as a woman who wants to prove that she does not need a rescuer like Superman around.
Admittingly, Bosworth doesn’t completely convince viewers that she’s a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and a mother of a five-year old, but that does not take away from the strong chemistry her character has with Routh.
How can one describe Spacey’s depiction of criminal mastermind Lex Luther?
Cunning, ruthless, and bald all fit the bill. Spacey portrays a villain that will stop at nothing to rid Superman of his powers. Give the guy a break. All he wants is world domination. That’s really not too much to ask.
“Superman Returns” gives viewers a world where guys fly around in capes and save the world with no questions asked. The new movie stays true to its origins, but doesn’t hesitate to include a little 21st century spice.
Though Lois Lane may not think the world needs Superman, the world still enjoys having him around. Vacation’s over Superman.
Welcome back to Earth.
Francy Marcotte
Culture Writer
