Review of Superman Returns (2006) by Chris W — 25 Jun 2013

Okay, so I'll just say right off the bat that, despite this movie's flaws, Singer should be applauded for being allowed to make the film he wanted to make, even if it's not the film the public was hoping for.

Designed as a contemporary update, yet also a bridge to the older Superman films, this is part retelling of the origin/a sequel to the first two Superman movies, completely ignoring parts 3 and 4. That's pretty ambitious, and rather admirable. They stick so much to the past that they reuse the original music and opening credits/font.

As a result of all of this, the film is pretty heady, but, like I said, admirable.

The main issue with the film, aside from sticking too much to the past, is the fact that it's sadly really boring. It's long, slow, largely uneventful, and drags on and on and on. That they made an arthouse-style Superman film is unique, but come on! He doesn't even punch anyone! He's just a whiny, mopey, angsty stalker for a lot of the time, and that's far from what people expect when they think of this character.

The casting is alright though. Routh looks the part, and has the charisma, but he really doesn't do much to make the role his own. I thought Bosworth was okay as Lois, but the ignorance the character displays doesn't fit with the character supposedly being a bright journalist. What I mean is, it takes her forever to realize who the father of her kid is, when the answer is painfully obvious early on. Spacey is fun, if perhaps a tad too hammy as Lex, but I'm sure they could have found someone worse.

All in all, I appreciate this film trying to mix old and new, but I just think they could have done a far better job making it entertaining. I'd say that the ideas were sound, but the execution, especially the writing (tons of plot holes and flaws) kept things from being as great as they should have been.