Superman Returns Blu-Ray Review

Rated PG-13 (Some Intense Action Violence)

Running Time: 2 Hours & 34 Minutes

Cast-

Brandon Routh-Clark Kent/Kal-El/Superman

Kate Bosworth-Lois Lane

Kevin Spacey-Lex Luthor

James Marsden-Richard White

Parker Posey-Kitty Kowalski

Sam Huntington-Jimmy Olsen

Frank Langella-Perry White

Eva Marie Saint-Martha Kent

Kal Penn-Stanford

Tristan Lake Leabu-Jason White

Marlon Brando-Jor-El (archival footage used)

Directed Bryan Singer

Superman returns to Earth after a five-year absence to find that Lois Lane has moved on in "Superman Returns."

Note: Part of the "Superman Motion Picture Anthology" Blu-Ray set.

Superman is without a doubt one of the world's most iconic comic book superheroes. Created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster in 1938, Superman has thrilled readers ever since as the flagship character for DC Comics, alongside Batman. Many films were based upon the character but none stood out until 1978's "Superman" directed by Richard Donner and starring then-unknown Christopher Reeve. Reeve became famous as the character, in fact I consider him to be a real-life Superman, and starred in three more films, though each one proved to be of lesser quality which prompted Warner Brothers to put the franchise on hiatus in 1987. As the years went by, numerous directors, screenwriters, and actors became attached to a fifth Superman film, but nothing came out of it. That is, until Bryan Singer signed on to direct, targeting a release date of summer 2006. However, this created a few problems, as he was working on pre-production work on the third X-Men film at the time but seeing this as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Singer couldn’t pass up a chance to direct a Superman film. Although he fully intended to return to the X-Men franchise after, 20th Century Fox was impatient and moved ahead anyway, replacing Singer with Brett Ratner and resulting in the underwhelming “X-Men The Last Stand,” also released in summer 2006. Although highly underrated, “Superman Returns” ranks up there as one of the best superhero films ever made, focusing not only just the conflict of good and evil but of love, proving once and again that Lois and Clark will always be one of the most beloved couples ever in comics. 

Five years have passed since the events of “Superman II” and Superman (Brandon Routh) himself has disappeared in a futile hope to see if Krypton is truly destroyed. The world has moved on without him. When he finally makes his triumphant return, he finds that Lois Lane (Kate Bosworth) now has a son and is engaged to Richard White (James Marsden). Superman realizes that everything he has known, everything his has loved, has changed. How will he readjust himself in a world that has learned to survive without him? To make matters worse, Lex Luthor (Kevin Spacey) has stolen technology from the Fortress of Solitude in an attempt to finally kill his nemesis once and for all. 

When you’re watching “Superman Returns,” you’ll have to forget everything you know about comic book movies as Singer has crafted a sweeping romance more than an action film. A large amount of time is spent with Superman pining for Lois, invoking ancient mythologies of God-like beings falling in love with mortals. Although there is no doubt that Superman is powerful, he is just as human as anyone else and Singer drives home that fact, particularly when he has a heart-to-heart with Lois on the roof of the Daily Planet. If it weren’t for his responsibilities, his duty to protect, Superman would spend an eternity with Lois, and that is fantasy romance done right in a way that can provoke an emotional response. I found that “Superman Returns” often touches upon similar themes seen in “The Dark Knight” but at two different extremes. Batman is dark and faces enemies that are insane and cruel, calling into question whether he is just as insane as the villains he fights. Gotham’s citizens look upon Batman as everything that is wrong in their city, saying to themselves whether we even need a ‘hero’ who acts more like a vigilante. For Superman, Singer has opted for a messianic approach. Lois bluntly points out that ‘the world doesn’t need a savior.’ Yet Superman believes otherwise; he has to believe because then his life would have no purpose. The world may have moved on and look upon Superman as a relic, but even if they do not realize it now, Superman knows it in his heart that they ‘cry out for a savior.’ With many comic book films going the ‘tortured hero’ route, it’s refreshing to see a character so earnest and so honest in his purpose that all we can do is stand up and cheer for him. That is the essence of Superman. 

There are some issues but they’re relatively minor compared to the scope of the film. Singer does go for the nostalgia factor of Donner’s films too hard and it gets to the point where he’s emulating the previous films without providing this one with a proper identity. The acting is overall good, especially Brandon Routh. His resemblance to Reeve is uncanny and he captures the bumbling aspects of Clark Kent and the confidence and vulnerability of Superman perfectly. There is a slight nervousness to his performance but who wouldn’t, stepping in the shoes of an iconic character played equally by an iconic actor. Kate Bosworth is definitely the weakest link out of the cast as we never actually feel she’s a newspaper journalist, partially due to her young age. Nonetheless, she does her best with Lois’ conflicting feelings between Superman and Richard. Kevin Spacey’s Lex Luthor is cut from the same cloth as Gene Hackman, something that has never really sat well with me because it tended to skew toward cheesy comedy. If a sequel is ever made, it would best to follow Michael Rosenbaum’s portrayal from TV’s “Smallville.” Luthor is still obsessed with real estate and ‘beach front property’ but there’s also a bitterness, possibly sadistic side to him. This is apparent when he and his cohorts begin to torture Superman. There’s also a hint of jealousy in his demeanor and wants to set out to prove to others, but most importantly himself, that a mortal can destroy a god. The rest of the cast includes James Marsden as Richard White, who has the impossible task of vying for Lois’ affection against Superman, Parker Posey as Kitty Kowalski, playing a role similar to Miss Teschmacher from the first film, Eva Marie Saint as Clark’s adoptive mother and conscious and finally Marlon Brando, courtesy of today’s cutting edge technology. 

“Superman Returns” doesn’t feature any action scenes but there are several breathtaking set-pieces. Superman goes through much trouble saving a space shuttle and a Boeing 777, marking his triumphant return. Finally, there’s the endgame where he uses all his abilities at his disposal to prevent the destruction of Metropolis. However, the climax invoked the same mixed feelings I had when Superman turns back time by flying around the Earth backwards in the first film. You’ll know it when you see it as it involves a massive amount of kryptonite. Some will complain that he never punches anybody but really, that’s not even a complaint worth bringing up. 

The Blu-Ray is impressive though the video quality can look too clean and sterile since the film was shot using HD cameras. This gives it somewhat dull looking palette that focuses on primary colors, like those on Superman’s costume. Darker scenes also tend to be fuzzy but nonetheless, you’ll have no problem enjoying this film on your plasma screen. Audio is reference quality material and the set-pieces really come alive from the shrieking metal of the Boeing 777 to the flapping of Superman’s cape against the wind. This is an aural experience like no other. Looking at the back cover, you’ll find the special features are quite bare but appearances can be deceiving. What you get is a 2 hour and 53 minute documentary on the making-of the film that goes into detail about every aspect from pre-production to the final day of shooting. Finally, there’s 16 minutes of deleted scenes and a look at integrating Marlon Brando’s archival footage into the film. 

Released on June 28, 2006, “Superman Returns” received a mostly positive reception with 76% on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics called ‘Singer's reverent and visually decadent adaptation gives the Man of Steel welcome emotional complexity.’ With a whopping budget of $270 million due to marketing and false starts, there was much pressure for the film to do well like “Batman Begins.” Unfortunately, while it had a solid, though unimpressive, opening weekend, “Superman Returns” barely limped to $200 million domestic and $391 million worldwide. Sure, this is by no means a disaster but after lying dormant for close to nineteen years, most people were just skeptical if another Superman film was even necessary. The larger question remains if Singer will return for a sequel and despite the fans mixed response, I hold he does, as he truly does care about the character and Routh certainly has the capacity to become this generation’s Man of Steel. “Superman Returns” may lack action but it makes it up for emotional complexity; this film is ‘beyond Super. It's superb’ (Richard Corliss, TIME Magazine).

Final Rating: 4 out of 5

"You will be different, sometimes you'll feel like an outcast, but you'll never be alone. You will make my strength your own. You will see my life through your eyes, as your life will be seen through mine. The son becomes the father and the father becomes the son."