Superman Returns (DVD, 2006, Widescreen Edition)

As fate would have it, a mysterious calling from the green crystal takes Superman away from earth for 5 years in the hope the planet Krypton may still have survived after it's terrible destruction.
When upon his return to the Fortress of Solitude, the man of steel finds the world has changed and not for better, but for far worse. After Seeking the advice of his long dead father Jor-El ( played by Marlon Brando with previous footage left over from Superman II) from the mysterious green crystal, Superman decides to return to earth.
When Superman does return to seek the life he once had in society ( and to fit in) he finds that some of the changes that have taken place and took place in his absence, is that Lois Lane has settled into a relationship and has started a family with a child (that perhaps was his from Superman II?).

His arch enemy now escaped from prison Lex Luthor is still making his evil mark upon society and the deadly ambitions to making another continent of his own evil twisted desires from a kryptonite crystal stolen from the Fortress of Solitude as he pondered his last visit there and had led to his imprisonment.

Superman Returns in tradition of the other Superman movies, (picks up where the previous movie, Superman II (1981) story lines) as Director Bryan Singer does an excellent job with the traditional story line, tying the plot line of this movie: and blending them all within each other's plot lines too make them all relate with the first two Superman Films.
OUTSTANDING visual and special effects are the high lights of this motion picture that carry your imagination to the far reaches of space and to the bottom of the ocean as Superman tries to pick up where he left off for mankind before he left the world too seek himself and his Kryptonian heritage.
The soundtrack music from Superman: the Movie, the musical score John Williams created is used here as well too keep the feeling of the first two Superman films. Superman Returns is a new and exciting movie that is family entertainment AT IT'S VERY BEST!!!
ALSO: In 2006 upon the release of Superman Returns: A Special Superman II film was released to the public called: SUPERMAN II: THE RICHARD DONNER DIRECTORS CUT,which combines previous footage and the footage with Marlon Brando giving a real indebt story line into the Superman Trilogy, and really making it tie in with Superman Returns!

Please check out website supermantv.net for more information on these stories!!

CAST:

Superman/Clark Kent.................Brandon Routh
Lex Luthor........................​.Kevin Spacey
Lois Lane..........................​Kate Bosworth
Perry White........................F​rank Langella
Ma Kent..........................​..Ava Marie Saint
Jor-El...................​..........Marlon Brando

DIRECTOR.................​..........Bryan Singer
WRITERS..................​..........Dan Harris and Michael Dougherty
TIME LENGTH........................​155 minutes RATED PG-13

More than a standard-issue superhero action/drama, Superman Returns is a spiritual, poignant character study for one of the industry's most enduring icons. This time around, the Man of Steel has abandoned Earth for five long years; in his absence, Lois Lane has written a scathing, Pulitzer Prize-winning piece called "Why the World Doesn't Need Superman" (ouch!), having also become a mother and soon-to-be wife. Meanwhile, Lex Luthor has conned his way into a fortune, using the proceeds to seek out crystals from the Fortress of Solitude; naturally, he'd use these crystals to shift the planet's landscape for his own benefit. After all, what kind of super-villain would Luthor be if he didn't?

Over the course of this three-hour adventure, Superman reassures Lois and the rest of the world that yes, they need Superman more than ever. It almost borders on "What If?" territory, yet the sweeping, dramatic story is told with such care and conviction that it's easy to get behind. Routh handles the dual role perfectly---almost too perfectly, as he's an uncanny match for the late Christopher Reeve in both likeness and demeanor. From clumsy and bumbling to confident and heroic, Routh keeps the transition smooth. With that said, you'd think more citizens of Metropolis would be able to make the Clark/Superman connection: as usual, the glasses and parted hair are enough to fool everyone.

There are, of course, a few nitpicks that make themselves known during Superman Returns. Kate Bosworth does a fine job as the spirited Lois Lane, but she just doesn't seem old or experienced enough to be a seasoned, Pulitzer-winning journalist. Kevin Spacey chews the scenery nicely as the dastardly Lex Luthor, yet a few of his goombas are played too much for comedy relief to seem like a genuine threat to the city. There's one issue that corrects itself quickly, involving a certain younger character who comes of age: he's thankfully pushed to the background during the last third of the film, but at least his eventual "introduction" provides a nice jolt during the second act.

All things considered, Superman Returns is a fantastic film that mixes familiar elements with a contemporary style to keep everything fresh. It's also nice to see a few familiar faces and winks at Superman lore, including the opening title sequence, the "resurrection" of Marlon Brando as Superman's father, Jor-El (via digital trickery) and a clever nod to the famous Action Comics #1 cover. Superman Returns was obviously a labor of love for the cast and crew, proving to be as invaluable to the franchise as Batman Begins was to DC's other cultural icon. The DVD presentation by Warner Bros. pairs the main feature with an excellent technical presentation and a nice spread of bonus material, though a slimmer single-disc edition is also available for casual fans. Let's take a closer look, shall we?


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So, where to start... Why, at the beginning, of course!
Superman Returns begins in a spectacular way with that same amazing music from the old Christopher Reeve movies (you know, that Superman theme that all your family members and friends seem to be humming or whistling even though you're supposed to be the Superman fan!). The original score may have been tweeked a little but it's still the same in so many ways (it's enough to leave you breathless at times). Amazing sound!
Next is the cast. I agree with everyone else; Kevin Spacey hands down takes the cake for best choice in casting. I thought Gene Hackman was good as Lex but Spacey outdid him by far. Brandon Routh, though, shows the most potential. As his first (and hopefully not last) appearance as Superman he did really good here. As a matter of fact, his Superman is a lot like Christopher Reeve's....I know, I know, we all miss Chris but I think Routh was paying homage more than replacing him. I've heard very little good said about Kate Bosworth as Lois Lane; she's either too young (what an idiotic complaint! young cast = sequels) or not a talented enough actress or...on and on and on. My opinion is SHE DID GOOD. She's not Margot Kidder, Erica Durance, or Noel Neill but she is LOIS. She may be the only actor here who made their character completely their own and nomatter what people's opinion happens to be of her portrayal, she's taking way too much flack for it. The other roles, including Jimmy Olsen, Perry White and Richard White, are also filled well (and be sure to watch this movie more than once; recognize anyone? there are a lot of guest appearances here! I think I mentioned Noel Neill earlier...). Surprisingly, the cast really works well together.
The story was excellent. It was pivotal but well timed, updated but reminiscent; it both reminded us of the past and gave a glimpse of the future. Still, I don't think it would have worked at all without the tone of optimism that Bryan Singer brings to a film (I mean, look at his X-Men movies. I don't even LIKE the X-Men and I LOVED those movies). All I can say is, I hope he directs the next one.
Visuals are pretty good in Superman Returns. The special effects are spectacular but don't overwhelm the story (examples overwhelmed stories: Spider-Man 3 and Fantastic Four 2; both good but a little much) and the lighting fits well. I do have a little pet peeve about the new Superman suit, though (usually I have more than one with even favorite movies and series). The cape looks like it's made of a rubbery plastic, the raised chest insignia doesn't work and the colors are off. Oh, and I kind of liked the oval belt buckle better (what can I say, I'm a Taxan). None of that really interferes with how much you enjoy the movie, though. It truly is a great movie but if you watch it and don't love it watch it one more time and I think you'll change your mind!



It is now 2009 and a sequel was set to come out this year along with a Justice League movie. Both were postponed until maybe 2011. There is talk of canning the entire cast and Bryan Singer and rebooting the franchise once again, while simultaneously 'going darker' on all future DC projects due to the success of The Dark Knight. Go darker? With Superman? I say let's revolt!

Bad casting (particularly with Kate Bosworth, the worst Lois Lane ever), poor script, lack of action, and a virtual re-write of the "Superman: The Movie" script all hamper this effort. The special effect look cool, but the major problem is that, after the airplane rescue, it's all downhill and yawn inducing. When the climax to the movie comes in at a little over half an hour into it, you've got problems.

Superman was amoral and concerned only with himself and his own isolation from Lois (which he himself created in the first place). Lex Luthor was done FAR better by Gene Hackman, and Kevin Spacey trying to recreate Gene's portrayal looked pathetic by comparison. Jimmy and Perry didn't have anything to do in this movie, and any scenes where the Daily Planet staff were "working" together looked forced, fake and uncomfortable for all actors.

Numerous plotholes abound - any Superman fan who knows his salt (pre or post-Crisis) will see TONS of inconsistancies.

Frankly, it's an unengaging film. I saw it in the theater, unfortunately - had I not had my two sons with me at the time, I'd have walked out halfway through.

It's either boring, uninspired, a direct ripoff of "Superman: The Movie", anti-climatic, or just out and out ridiculous in it's assumptions.

The only REAL hero in this film was Richard White - Lois and Superman are by way of comparison scandalous, amoral and self-absorbed.

Pretty pathetic when a Superhero film has a John Q. Public as the character you're most rooting for.

Count me out of a sequel unless this garbage gets reworked and the Superman franchise gets the respect it deserves. Until then, "Spider-Man 3" and "Heroes" will suit me just fine.

Bryan Singer is GREAT with "House", but he doesn't know anything about Superman and would be best advised to just stick with what he knows.

Don't waste your time or money on this crap. If you're lukewarm about the concept of Superman in general, you'll be fine, but if you actually care about the characters, the story, and how the Superman mythology is portrayed, you won't find any justice at all here.

He's back. A hero for our millennium. And not a moment too soon, because during the five years (much longer in movie-fan years!) Superman sought his home planet, things changed on his adopted planet earth. Nations moved on without him. Lois Lane now has a son, a fiance and a Pulitzer for "Why the World Doesn't Need Superman." And Lex Luthor has a plan that will destroy millions - no, billions - of lives. Filmmaker Bryan Singer (X-Men) gives the world the Superman it needs, honoring the legend everyone loves while taking it in a powerful new direction. Brandon Routh proves a perfect choice to wear the hero's cape, leading a top cast that includes Kate Bosworth as Lois and Kevin Spacey as Lex. And the thrills - from a sky-grapple with a tumbling jumbo jet to a continent-convulsing showdown - redefine Wow. "I'm always around," Superman tells Lois. You'll be glad he is. Makes a nice addition to your collection. Granted Christopher Reeves is the KING of superman in our hearts, but Brandon Routh is VERY convincing in this role!!