By Robert Gillis
Published in the Foxboro Reporter and the Boston City Paper July 2006

On this site, you can find my comprehensive 13 page review which contains complete plot details and spoilers. (Click here to read it) If you would prefer not to know everything, here is an abridged spoiler-free review of Superman Returns:

In mid 2004, acclaimed director Bryan Singer was offered the chance to direct the new Superman film. Singer jumped at the chance and signed on to direct Superman Returns for Warner Brothers.

Although his influences for the character run the gamut, Singer has a special love for the first Superman movie, starring Christopher Reeve and directed by Richard Donner (STM). Singer even asked for and received Donner’s blessing before signing on.

May I say that Bryan Singer has created a masterpiece.

I don’t want to give anything away, so let me say that Brandon Routh IS Superman. Kate Bosworth IS Lois Lane. And Kevin Spacey’s Lex Luthor is pure evil and perfect. The rest of the cast – Frank Langella as Perry white, Sam Huntington and Jimmy Olsen, James Marsden as Richard White, and Eva Marie Saint as Ma Kent – they’re all perfect. And five year old Tristan Lake Leabu as the little boy who may or may not be Superman’s son – is adorable but never annoying.

Since April 2005 I have been following the production of this movie almost daily. I didn’t want to get my hopes too high; Superman has disappointed me before.

But I could not have asked for better. I never expected the film to be this big, this good. There was NOTHING I didn’t like and dozens of scenes that impressed the hell out of me. I LOVED IT. I will see this film many times – something I haven’t done for a film for many years.

Some reviews of this film have commented that the best scenes have already been shown in the 20 TV spots or three trailers. This isn’t true. While many terrific scenes have been shown (and you have to LOVE the bullet bouncing off Superman’s eyeball shot), you simply can’t get an accurate understanding of the movie from minutes of clips. Even if you’ve read the novel, even if you seen the movie guides, you don’t know this film.

There are twists and turns, there are nuances, subtleties, and subtext. The actors bring these characters to vivid life and make us care about the story. The sets and “look” of the film transport us easily to Metropolis, Smallville, the ruins of Krypton, and to many other places.

Visually, the production design of the film is very impressive. While the Donner film was clearly set in 1978, this film has more of timeless feel, due to the deco style throughout, particularly in the Daily Planet sets, which appear to be a pleasing combination of modern technology with Art Deco facades. This blending of old and new gives the film a timeless feeling. There are deco fixtures next to plasma screens. And everything looks lived in, not shiny like it was just created. And the details, the details, the details... from the framed newspapers on the walls to the unusual facade at the entrance, everything on this set are in the details.

The special effects are simply phenomenal. Finally, we have the technology to show Superman as he was meant to be seen. Many of the shots in this film use advances in movie making magic and computer technology undreamed of just a few years ago. The CGI and other effects are organic to the film, never intrusive, but simply spectacular.

I don't have an adequate superlative to describe the flying sequences. Special effect technology has come so far, even in these last few years. These days, it's not "You'll believe a man can fly," because everyone flies around in movies these days -- even Keanu Reeves flew in the Matrix films (and did so realistically; I remember seeing “Matrix: Reloaded” and musing that if a new Superman film were ever made, I hoped that the flying would be that good). These days, the question is, "Is the flying believable? Does the flying seem organic to the story or does it look like a special effect? The flying throughout the film is incredible and believable.

The surprises – some telegraphed, some out of nowhere, are brilliant. The look of the picture is stunning. And of course, there’s always that wonderful feeling of a summer film – spending two hours in a theater with popcorn and soda, being taken away to another world and enjoying the ride.

Fans will probably be divided over whether the film is too derivative or not derivative enough of other Superman movies/shows, but I think one particular decision will be embraced by all -- the film is dedicated to the memory of Dana and Christopher Reeve.

Acknowledging my lifelong love of the character, I have never been obsessed to the point where I will accept anything. Some interpretations of Superman have been tolerable (the third movie, some of the cartoons), some have been unforgivable (the 1974 musical, the fourth movie) and some have produced outrage and confusion (the comics, “Birthright.”) So I say with no hyperbole whatsoever that the movie is perfect. It was completely worth the wait. I absolutely could not have asked for more. I never expected it to be this good, this perfect.

I loved the story. I loved the nods to the comics and the movies that were everywhere, the cameos, making this universe both new and familiar. I loved that the characters are handled with reverence and respect that the story is meaningful, and the action is intense. The performances are dead on, they are brilliant. The casting is perfect. The film has heart.

Thank you, Bryan Singer. Thank you, Brandon Routh. Thank you to everyone who made this movie a reality.

Superman Returns. Better than ever. The legend intact. The film, perfect.

You will believe, again.

On this site, you can find my comprehensive 13 page review which contains complete plot details and spoilers for Superman Returns. (Click here to read it)