Superman Returns (Singer, 2006)

****1/2
As I sit here at my laptop, typing this review, the epic score to "Superman Returns" is playing idly over and over again in my head. Now I have it playing on my media player, directly behind this very window. This is of no consequence to you, the reader, of course. I just wanted to let you know, because it may affect my review just a little bit.

But only a little bit.

"Superman Returns," is the third film in the Superman franchise (it's actually the fifth, but "Superman III" and "IV" only exist in the minds of the mentally insane). It's been nearly two decades since the last Superman film (of whose name we shall not speak), but "Returns" picks up the storyline as easily as if it were only last year that the Superman saga came to a screeching halt. The transition is nearly seamless.

Superman (Brandon Routh, a Hollywood newcomer taking over for the late Cristopher Reeve) has been gone for five years, disappearing shortly after astronomers find what they believed to be the remains of the planet Krypton. The people of Metropolis, specifically a certain female journalist, have all grown accustomed to life without the Man of Steel around to save them. But when Superman returns from his little vacation, he falls right back into the role of savior. Heck, on his first day back, he prevents a malfuctioning plane full of people from crashing into a ballpark.

But all is not well in the life of Clark Kent. Turns out that Lois Lane (Kate Bosworth) has a new love-interest, and a son to boot. To top it off, criminal mastermind Lex Luthor (played this time around by the brilliant Kevin Spacey) hatches a new scheme to gain absolute power. Now it's up to Superman to stop his old arch-nemesis and win back the heart of his beloved Lois, all while trying to catch up on some saving people.

For me, "Returns" is the film that "III" and "IV" should have been. It's a sequel worthy of the original films, and director Bryan Singer (yes, the "X-men" guy) treats the subject matter with nothing but absolute respect and appreciation. The movie isn't attempting to re-invent the story so much as it's just trying to resurrect it from the land of camp and trash.

But the film also sports its own unique style. Where "Superman: The Movie" lacked intensity, "Returns" establishes a great sense of danger from the get-go. By adding a bit of depth to the character of Lex Luthor, he is no longer reduced to a bumbling villain. He is truly a threat to the life of Superman, and to the well-being of the world itself. This adds a fantastic touch of darkness and foreboding to the film.

The visual effects are, of course, phenomenal. Simply breathtaking. The flying sequences, fighting scenes and space shots are all incredible. It's a great looking flick.

The cast is superb. Newcomer Brandon Routh just carries the film on his shoulders. He's channeling Christopher Reeve through the entire film; the resemblance to the late actor, both in appearance and mannerisms, is uncanny. Not once did I question his right to be the Man of Steel. Kevin Spacey is, as usual, just fantastic. His performance does Gene Hackman proud. Young Kate Bosworth has a little trouble fitting into the role of feisty journalist Louis Lane, who was originally portrayed by Margot Kidder, but I grew to like her take on the character as the film progressed.

On the bad end of things, the film does drag a bit in the end ... it's about 10-15 minutes too long, and you should never find yourself bored in a Superman movie. But it's really not too bad, and I came out of the film with a big smile on my face none the less.

As far as superhero films go, "Returns" is right up there with movies like "Spiderman 2" and "Batman Begins." It presents something fantastic, like an invincible flying man, and handles it with the upmost realism and seriousness. The outcome is a greatly appealing film.

For fans of the original "Superman" films, this movie is chock full of throwbacks. Sly little references to the 1978 film pepper "Returns" thickly. Even the famous "fly-by" opening credits are present.

Personally, I'd like to see Mr. Singer direct a follow-up to this movie (he definitely left it wide open for a sequel). I hope he sticks with the series for a while longer, because I can't wait to see "Superman Returns ... Again."