Superman Returns

Superman Returns is the long awaited 5th Superman movie, directed by Bryan Singer and Starring Brandon Routh as Superman, Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor and Kate Bosworth as Lois Lane.

In short, anyone who is a fan of fun action/comic/superhero type movies will not be dissapointed. And does this film satisfy the long time fan of the Christopher Reeve Superman films? The answer to this question is a resounding yes.

The films opening is stunning and spine tingling with the familiar flying blue credits which just get the heart thumping and the use of the original John Williams score really gets the long time fan emotional. Its really astounding, its an amzing way to start the movie and thankfully the pace never slows and the quality never drops.

Brandon Routh, a newcomer, really fills the massive boots left my Christopher Reeve. Routh is a fantastic actor who not only looks the part but also acts the part. He really does embody the role perfectly.

Its a tough call as to whether the best actor in the film is Routh or Spacey. Spacey is simply excellent in the Luthor role. He's dark and menacing yet brilliant, he's without a doubt the best ever on screen Luthor. The casting of Spacey was simply a stroke of genius. Whereas Gene Hackmans Luthor in the original Superman movie was campy and funny, Kevin Spacey portrays a bitter twisted yet brilliant criminal mind hell bent on everything in his path (including Superman) in order to bolster his already bulging bank account.

A sequel to 1980's Superman II the story of Superman Returns is thus: After astronomers claimed to have found remnants of Supermans home planet Krypton in the far reaches of space, Superman leaves earth in search of his home. He returns after an absence of 5 years to find the world - and particularly Lois Lane - has learned to live without him. Lois Lane in fact has a kid and is engaged to be married. Thus poses a problem that Superman has never faced before! Lex Luthor having newly swindled his way out of prison and into a sizable fortune is once again a major threat to the world in his pursuit of land and subsequently money. Superman has a lot on his plate!

Superman first burts on to the scene again in a breathtaking scene involving the rescue of a boing 777 and despite having seen a lot of clips of this scene before it really does blow you away when you see it. The special effects and visuals in this movie make it one of the most visually attractive films I've ever seen.

Fans of the original movie will love all the references to it such as repeated lines from Jor-el Lex Luthor and Superman.

The only flaw in this film is Kate Bosworth. Throughout the film the casting decisions are flawless, from Routh, to Spacey and everyone else. Except Bosworth. Bosworth really doesn't get the character of Lois Lane who should be a feisty independant and strong character. Bosworth is none of these though at times she did have some good acting moments. Not only that, she is simply too young for the part. She barely looks her 23 years and is upposed to have a 5 year old son and be a star reporter long before the arrival of her son at a major metropolitan newspaper. These are issues that won't occur to the casual viewer but for fans of Superman and the original movies Bosworth will dissapoint.

Brandon Routh looks like, sounds like and acts like Superman. I can't imagine a better actor suited to the role.

Kevin Spacey Absolutely brilliant.

The film is so respectful to the original movies it really is a joy to watch.

The score is absolutely fantastic, resurrecting themes from the originals.

The visuals are simply stunning.

The story is gripping.

This is just an amazing movie.

Kate Bosworth.

Basically there is only one bad thing about this movie. Kate Bosworth, though a good actress, is just wrong for the role of Lois Lane.

But other than this the movie is 5 stars in every department. Its amazing. I'd say its the best Superman movie ever made. And since all hero/comic book movies come from the original Superman movie thats pretty high praise. High praise indeed.