It’s
a bird, it’s a plane, it’s
a sequel
By
Bradley Zint
Summer Forty-Niner
Managing Editor
OK people; let me give it to you straight. “Superman Returns” is
really, really good, which means you should go see it. Right now.
I hadn’t been to a movie in the theaters in a while, and consequently
I had begun losing faith in the potential of the “silver screen.” I
found myself losing interest in the products coming from Tinsel Town.
“ Superman Returns” has restored my faith. I can answer honesty that
there indeed is the occasional good film coming out of an otherwise crappy Hollywood.
“ Superman Returns,” directed by Bryan Singer, who also directed
the first two “X-Men” films, hits all the right spots for a great
summer flick. It’s fun, exciting and intelligent. In other words, this
film is solid entertainment.
The story is basic, straightforward
summer flick material. The arch-villain,
Lex Luthor, is back and has a new idea
for maniacal world domination. Basically,
he wants to be the new Napoleon of his
very own Atlantis.
He plans to create this using some powerful leftovers from Superman’s
Fortress of Solitude. Superman, of course, must foil Luthor’s plans in
good, superhero-like fashions.
There are a few plot twists. Let me just say that those twists are similar
to those found in “Castaway” and”“The Empire Strikes
Back.”
Casting for this film was perfect. There’s not a bad apple in the whole
lineup. Brandon Routh, who plays Clark Kent, is the spitting image of Christopher
Reeve in the first Superman film, “Superman: The Movie,” made back
in 1978. He nails both the “manly-man” Superman side and the nerdy-journalist-boy
side every time.
Kate Bosworth, who plays Lois Lane, plays the feisty, Superman star-struck,
hard-hitting Daily Planet news girl perfectly. But best of all is veteran actor
Kevin Spacey adding his own two cents to the role of Luthor, which was previously
played by Gene Hackman in the earlier Superman films.
Dramatically, I felt the directing style was pretty intense for a summer blockbuster.
Many shot seemed to be a facial close-up, revealing each of the actor’s
pores on the big screen. Innovative cinematography and camera angles also gave
the film a great speed and look.
Visually, this film is often quite stunning. There is a great mix of special
effects and live action, which in the end balances the look in a fashion others
have gone terribly astray from. Combine that with excellent sound editing and
the experience is all-too-realistic.
The film also resurrects master Hollywood composer John Williams’ themes
to the original Superman film. Composed by John Ottman, the score adapts Williams’ famous
themes in a fresh, new style.
All in all,’“Superman Returns” is what”“Star
Wars: The Phantom Menace” should have been, after a franchise absence,
followed by a franchise renewal. The last Superman film came out in 1987, so
after 19 years of no Superman movies, hardcore series fans and casual viewers
alike are going to love Singer’s attention to old Superman traditions
(look for’“It’s a bird! It’s a plane! etc.). There’s
even a quick mention of Batman’s Gotham City, if you listen closely.
Just go see this movie. See it in an IMAX 3D Theatre, if you can. There are
several scenes that are greatly intensified with those fashionable 3D glasses.
The nearest IMAX Theatre to Long Beach is in Irvine at the Irvine Spectrum.
I believe “ Superman Returns” will be worth your ten bucks, soda
and popcorn excluded, of course. But before going, be sure to watch at least
the first of the “Superman” series to know who’s who and
to pick up some of the references.
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