It sure can't be easy to live up to audience
expectations set by movies generations have grown up with like Star
Wars. However, I think Superman Returns succeeds where the new Star
Wars films failed. After languishing for what seemed an eternity in
development hell, Superman Returns, directed by Bryan Singer, is a
credit to Singer and his crew, and quite a marvel to behold.
Like with Star Wars, audiences have had more than twenty years to
process, scrutinize and savor every moment of the 1978 movie version
directed by Richard Donner and starring the unpretentious Christopher
Reeve. In fact, I found myself at once nostalgic hearing the familiar
score by John Williams and from watching the flying blue credits preceding
the film. And for but a brief moment, I even expected Christopher Reeve to
appear on the screen—just as he was remembered.
Though Christopher Reeve did not appear, his presence was definitely felt.
A relative unknown, Brandon Routh had an uncanny knack for capturing that
which audiences loved about Reeve and adding some of his own personality
to the dual roles of Clark Kent and Superman. Even Kate Bosworth brought
her own to the role of Lois Lane, made famous on celluloid by Margot
Kidder. Her Lois Lane appeared more conflicted than frazzled the way
Kidder's Lane always appeared, and it was a welcome and fresh approach.
Equally notable was the continuity of a story line from the second film of
the original movie run; a perfect segue to this updated rendition. And as
the CGI effects of this version dazzle and amaze, the third and fourth
installments of the former franchise are easily dismissed like a bad
dream.
While in recent years iconic comic heroes have been brought to the screen
with flair and heart, I think for the updated Superman franchise, the best
is yet to come. Though it's clear the film is an homage to the director of
the1978 version—with everything from the visual to the spoken echoing
its former incarnation—Kevin Spacey's characterization of Lex Luthor was
tiresome, trite, and just plain distracting. It was especially
disappointing considering the complexity Michael Rosenbaum has given the
television version in the Smallville series. That Lex Luthor would have
been a wonderfully frightening addition, considering the heart and soul of
the Superman Returns script; one in which takes pride in its
portrayal of a more complex protagonist, and could have had an equally
complex adversary. Instead of wondering what other scheme Luthor might
concoct in future installments, I found myself wishing for an indefinite
reprieve.
But where this movie succeeds in revisiting the celluloid version
introduced nearly thirty years ago is the wonderful marriage of special
effects and storytelling. This relationship invokes a welcome nostalgia
for the old while appreciating the new, complete with a story full of
layers and action. Though the length of the movie may turn off some
movie-goers, running at 154 minutes, it's well worth viewing for two
reasons: first, for fans of the Christopher Reeve Superman, it will leave
them feeling nostalgic for the kid who first sat before the giant screen
hearing the resounding musical score and watching Reeve fly effortlessly
as no one had done before. Secondly, even if you're not a fan of the
original movie series, the ease with which Routh's Superman defies
gravity, and the impossible task of stepping into roles made cinematically
famous three decades ago handled capably, it makes it all too easy to get
caught up in the Superman lore.
Here's hoping this Superman stays a little while longer. And unlike
the last set of films, only gets better with age. |
