Superman Returns

Since 1932, Superman has had many faces, histories and futures in comic books, television series and films. But for most movie-goers, Christopher Reeve’s Superman (1978) is the iconic face of the franchise. Sent as a baby from the doomed planet Krypton by his father (Marlon Brando), Superman was raised on Earth, slowly discovering his powers growing under the radiation of our yellow sun. In adulthood, he alternates between his personae of bumbling journalist Clarke Kent and self-assured Superman.

Amidst saving the world (well, at least America) from villains such as Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman), Reeve’s Superman falls in love with sassy journalist Lois Lane (Margot Kidder). She only falls in love with Superman, who struggles to earn her love as Clarke Kent as well; while keeping his dual identity secret. Apart from this emotional angst, the cinematic Superman seems largely free of the inner torment of well-known superheros who either chose the heroic role (Batman) or had it thrust upon them (Spiderman, The Hulk).

In Superman II, Lois discovered Clarke’s secret identity and he took her to his Arctic crystalline temple where presumably she discovered what ‘man of steel’ really means. Struggling to come to terms with her relationship with Superman, having discovered his other identity as Clarke, these secrets are sealed from her memory with a Superkiss.

Superman Returns is marketed as a ‘vague sequel’ to Superman and SII, conveniently ignoring the dubious Superman III and SIV. Yet its contemporary setting is wildly out of the sync with the original '70s/'80s chronology. It is best approached as a partial remake of the Superman story, albeit one that goes its own way. Brandon Routh remakes the iconic role in a familiar approximation of strong features, boy scout persona, and a winning mixture of confidence and clumsiness. He may look a little young, but Reeve must have looked younger than his 1940s TV counterpart too. Lois 2 (Kate Bosworth) makes a good effort, but is too much the modern heroine for fans of the feisty Margot Kidder. Lex 2 (Kevin Spacey) is a show-stealer, with most of the interesting dialogue, as the alternately charming and frightening villain. Superman is a man of few words in comparison, which doesn’t really allow us to get beneath the suit. The real star of the film is Marlon Brando, his voice and visual recordings from the original film are briefly restored to illuminate Superman’s mission.

Superman returns after a five year absence, confirming the fate of Krypton, to discover Lois has moved on, had a child, and that Lex is trouble-making again. With striking photography and a stirring score, pivotal Superman moments and environments are remade or revisioned, with nods to the past and good provision for future sequels. Whilst the 154 minutes don’t particularly drag, they still somehow manage not to make an enormous impact in terms of action or character development. Some of the scenes are nicely operatic, with only a few real clangers in the dialogue or plot department, but the film misses some opportunities. More could have been made of pressing issues such as the paternity of Lois’ child or Superman’s role in the fractured modern world. Aside from a couple of news grabs of him averting petty crime in faraway places, he doesn’t seem to be making the most of his powers for good. However, for any fan of the original Superman, to whom the voice of Marlon Brando will bring shivers, this is worth seeing.

 

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