
Superman Returns - A worthy continuance to the series

It's a movie. For every person that loved it, one will hate it. For every person who thought it was poorly done, another will praise it. For me, this was just what was needed at the time. A well done, fairly well acted superhero movie that was released to a nation during a time of trepidation.
The writing? Not spectacular. Good, and certainly enjoyable. Some of it was a little awkward, and certain scenes could probably use another take or two.
The cinematography and effects? Very good, strong but not too flashy, and not so high-tech as to make a generational gap between the first movies and this one.
The acting? Watching Brandon Routh was, occasionally, spooky. At times it seemed like he was channeling Christopher Reeves (God rest his soul). But Brandon didn't just mimic a great performance provided by Reeves, he also made it his own, giving the world a look at a Superman who has things on his mind other than the next bank robbery or natural disaster. I do respect Kate Bosworth and think she has done good work, but I did have trouble buying in to her as Lois Lane. In truth, I had trouble with their whole lost-romance part of the movie, but it was fairly well written, even if I didn't personally care for it. Everyone has said basically the same thing about Kevin Spacey, and far be it from me to disagree: Kevin Spacey was brilliant as Lex Luthor. Absolutely Brilliant. That's it, that's all you need to know about him.
Many have said that they are tired of seeing Lex as the primary opponent in each movie, and there is something to that. The history of Superman is diverse and very, very deep. There are dozens, probably hundreds of super-powered villians that could be used for another movie. And perhaps it is time for a new foe, someone who can really go toe-to-toe with Superman, such as the Kryptonians from Superman II? At least one more imaginative than "Nuclear Man". But at the tame time, Lex Luthor has stood the test of time for one reason: he is Superman's nemesis. Not his foe, not his protagonist, not his enemy. Lex Luthor is Superman's NEMESIS. There is Day and Night. White and Black. Good and Evil, and all manner of shades of grey between. And then there is Superman...and Lex Luthor. One should never discount the level to which a brilliant and fabulously wealthy man will go to get what he wants. What we haven't always seen is the level to which a Superman will go to stop that man. Should Bryan Singer choose to try to bring that aspect of the character to light, I would relish it.
Gene Hackman was great as Lex Luthor...when is Gene Hackman not great? Christopher Reeves will ALWAYS be Superman, at least for those who have seen him. But people, please. Those who tout that this is not a worthy follow-up to the originals, let me just say this: He escaped a maximum security prison in a FREAKING HOT AIR BALLOON. It's 2007. Time to move along folks, and Bryan Singer, with Brandon Routh as his Superman and Kevin Spacey as his Luthor, has taken an excellent first-step in making that happen. Kudos and well wishes to them all.
Review ID: 10000000003392048

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