|
|
|
|
|
Abhorrent
|
|
|
Disturbing
|
|
|
Acceptable
|
|
|
Wholesome
|
|
|
Exemplary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
VA
|
For viewers of all ages
|
|
V13
|
For viewers age 13 and below with parental guidance
|
|
V14
|
For viewers 14 and above
|
|
V18
|
For mature viewers 18 and above
|
|
NP
|
Not for public viewing
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Title:
|
SUPERMAN RETURNS |
|
Running Time:
|
140 mins
|
|
Lead Cast:
|
Brandon Routh, Kate Bosworth, Kevin Spacey, James Marsden, Parker Posey, Frank Langella, Sam Huntington, Eva
Marie Saint, Marlon Brando, Tristan Leabu
|
|
Director:
|
Bryan Singer
|
|
Producer:
|
|
|
Screenwriters:
|
Michael Dougherty, Dan Harris
|
|
Music:
|
John Ottman, John Williams
|
|
Editor:
|
Elliot Graham, John Ottman
|
|
Genre:
|
Action/Adventure, Science Fiction/Fantasy and Adaptation
|
|
Cinematography:
|
Newton Thomas Sigel
|
|
Distributor:
|
Warner Bros.
|
|
Location:
|
USA
|
|
Technical Assessment:
|
|
|
Moral Assessment:
|
|
|
CINEMA Rating:
|
For viewers age 13 and below with parental guidance
|
|
|
|
Superman (Brandon Routh) returns
to Earth after a five-year absence.
Back from scouring outer space for survivors from his home planet Krypton, he is found by his earth mother (Eva Marie Saint) as his spaceship crashes into their farm. Daily Planet reporter Clark Kent, Superman's alter ego, also returns to the scene after a long holiday. He learns that fellow reporter and apple of his eye Lois Lane (Kate Bosworth) has since become a mother and in fact has had a protracted engagement with Richard (James Marsden) whom Lois' son Jason (Tristan Leabu) calls "daddy." Superman's reentry into the scene is made dramatic by his rescue of an airplane where a press conference is being held. Meanwhile, Superman's archenemy Lex Luthor (Kevin Spacey), fresh from prison, plans his revenge: with a couple of sidekicks and Miss Teschmaker, Luthor goes to Superman's Fortress of Solitude and steals its crystals. Luthor then uses these crystals as missiles to be planted in the Atlantic in order to create his own new continent and destroy some old ones in the process.
They couldn't have found a better cast: Brandon Routh, coming out of a mold not very
different from that of "the other" Superman Christopher Reeve, makes a perfect hero and partner to Bosworth's Lois Lane. Kevin Spacey as a villain of few words measures up
as a worthy opponent to Superman. Their physical appearances project their characters perfectly; their acting enhances their roles and give them an aura of
credibility. With almost nine out of ten movies these days having CGI, it was doubtful if Superman Returns
could still capture the attention of the movie-going public. After all, almost every other screen hero, sub-hero, villain and extra can fly nowadays—so what spectacular thing could Superman Returns offer that will make the movie cling to memory as another classic? It's the story—the love story between Superman and Lois Lane, which
Superman Returns has taken to the next level with the revelation of the superhero's paternity. Hmmm… intriguing? You bet.
Stop asking about why Superman strains to lift a whole island or an airplane when he's supposed to
have unlimited strength.
Don't fuss over the aeronautics of Superman zooming across oceans to answer an emergency call in other continents. And for goodness' sake stop giggling over why Superman wears his briefs over his tights/pants. All these are trivia when placed next to the love story—the real charm of the movie. It's not graphically stated in the dialogue but the message in
Superman Returns
is the primacy of love for others over love of self. The very human desire to connect with another forever in love is recognized but it takes a backseat to altruism. Despite the attraction between Superman and Lois Lane, both tacitly bow to a greater need—helping the needy, fighting evil, saving the world. It is a message that a world too in love with itself needs to hear and ponder upon.
(Date Reviewed: 30 June 2006)
|
|
|
|
