Superman Returns

Leighton: ****, Andrew: ***
Theater Screening

I wasn't entirely sure that I would like the new Superman movie. Granted, I knew it was being directed by Bryan Singer, who declined directing the third movie in his X-Men trilogy to helm Superman instead, so I knew the director was experienced with comic book movies. I love Kevin Spacey so I figured he'd be good as Lex Luthor (even if I was a little worried that I'd be reminded too much of his cameo in Austin Powers: Goldmember). He actually played it a little darker than I expected. I guess maybe I was just still biased at the way the series ended. Superman III with co-star Richard Pryor was too goofy and campy, and I never even bothered to see the straight-to-video Superman IV: The Quest for Peace. But I ended up really liking Superman Returns a lot. I had heard that Singer was using the original Superman as his inspiration and guide. But I didn't expect this much. First off, Marlon Brando is reprising his role as Jor-El. Yes, he is dead. See how they did it here. There are lines that are repeated from the first movie. There are references to things that took place in the first and second movie. Hell, even the opening credits are done in the same style. Brandon Routh does a very good job playing Kent/Superman. He's not trying to play Christopher Reeve playing Superman, but he does end up reminding you of him. And it doesn't stop with the original movies. They even recreated a couple classic comic book covers in the movie. I don't know. I guess some people say this makes the movie very unoriginal, but I thought it was a hell of a lot of fun. I caught all of the references since I had seen the original two movies so many times, but I almost wish I had watched them again right before seeing this new movie. It might be something to consider if you're planning to see it soon.