"Superman Returns" (****) (Thumbs Up) (See It, Own It)
It seems that, the 'thing' for movies in the 2000's so-far, is to not 'remake', but continue popular and classic movies from a while ago. "Indiana Jones 4", "Die Hard 4", "Rambo 4", "Rocky Balboa", "Star Wars I-III"... But, if there was a movie, that was a sequel installment of a famous franchise, that was more significant compared to others of the same origin... it was "Superman Returns".
I can't tell you how much I loved this movie (being that the original "Superman: The Movie" with Christopher Reeve has been one of my favorite movies for a long time). And I was even a big fan of "Superman II"; sadly, "Superman III" & "Superman IV: The Quest for Peace" just didn't 'do it' for not only me, but most of the movie-going public.
At one time to be "Superman V", then to be "Superman Reborn", then to have "Superman Lives" written by Kevin Smith ("Clerks"), directed by Tim Burton ("Batman"), and to star Nicolas Cage as The Man of Steel himself, "Superman Lives" was soon canceled (which was for the best, considering Burton wanted to completely make Superman... well... 'not like Superman' (enough said). And after that, J.J. Abrams' script for "Superman Flyby", was to be directed by Brett Ratner. Project-pitch after project-pitch kept repeatedly failing miserably; it seemed that another Superman installment was destined to be in h*ll forever (I don't want to go too much into it, but, better it be in h*ll, than become one of those projects... take it from me, they were horrible).
Finally, Bryan Singer ("X-Men", "X2") created the story, of "what if Superman had left earth, and had been gone for a long period of time (in the movie itself)" to match his absence in films in real life for the last many years (which I truly believe was pure genius and an intelligent plot). For Superman (Brandon Routh) to return to earth, and discover the love of his life Lois Lane (Kate Bosworth), to have had a child, and to have moved on with the rest of the world;---
"The world doesn't need a savior, and neither do I"
---Lois brutally and honestly tells him. Superman must redeem himself as the hero of mankind, and to soon discover and stop the revenge of Lex Luthor (played by Kevin Spacey, who did a great job; & perhaps the best Lex Luthor). And on June 28, 2006 (almost 20 years after the last film) Superman returned.
The story, style, and spirit of "Superman Returns" was to form the movie in not only a continuum to Richard Donner's 1978 original classic, but a true and deep ode and homage to it. The plot proved itself to be extremely impressive compared to many other superhero movies in recent years to not only myself, but to Jon Peters (producer), Richard Donner (director of the original), and Dana Reeve. To make the movie even more of a winner, it was rightfully dedicated to Christopher and Dana Reeve.
I think few feelings toward movies this decade, can measure up to the feeling of ultimate nostalgia, of when audiences experienced the return of the timeless Superman motion-picture credits... the theme, the neon blue letters, traveling throughout outer-space, it was ALL revived. But the mere credits weren't the only thing to bring back Superman as a film, it was without a doubt the ability to embody the emotion and life of Christopher Reeve, that Brandon Routh possessed. Kate Bosworth, did a fair job as Lois Lane (better than Katie Holmes in "Batman Begins"). James Marsden as Richard White, the believed and almost certain to be father of their son Jason (who adds much more to the storyline than is expected). And that they were able to digitally restore Marlon Brando as Jor-El finally completed the film, as a work of art. One of my favorite movies this decade, and without-a-doubt the 3rd best Superman movie ever made, if not the 2nd (not-to-forget that the airplane-rescue scene is the best action-sequence in all the franchise).
Anyone who loves Superman, superhero movies, and appreciates older movies, needs to see this film.
Rest in Peace Chris & Dana Reeve
*Poster from Photo Bucket*
