Superman Returns (2006)

Director:

Bryan Singer

Writers (WGA):

Michael Dougherty (screenplay) &
Dan Harris (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

28 June 2006 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi

Plot:

After a long visit to the lost remains of the planet Krypton, the Man of Steel returns to earth to become the peoples savior once again and reclaim the love of Lois Lane.

Plot Keywords:

Superman | Return To Earth | Christian Parable | Kryptonite | Hope

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 9 wins & 21 nominations

Cast

Brandon Routh	...	Clark Kent / Superman
Kate Bosworth	...	Lois Lane
Kevin Spacey	...	Lex Luthor
James Marsden	...	Richard White
Parker Posey	...	Kitty Kowalski
Frank Langella	...	Perry White
Sam Huntington	...	Jimmy Olsen
Eva Marie Saint	...	Martha Kent
Marlon Brando	...	Jor-El (archive footage)
Kal Penn	...	Stanford
Tristan Lake Leabu	...	Jason White
David Fabrizio	...	Brutus
Ian Roberts	...	Riley
Vincent Stone	...	Grant
Jack Larson	...	Bo the Bartender

Also Known As:

Red Sun (USA) (fake working title)
Superman Reborn (USA) (working title)
Superman Returns: An IMAX 3D Experience (USA) (IMAX version)
Superman V (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some intense action violence.

Runtime:

154 min

Country:

Australia | USA

Language:

English | German | French

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | Sonics-DDP (IMAX version)

Certification:

Malaysia:U | Hungary:14 | Australia:M | Singapore:PG | UK:12A | Ireland:12A | Finland:K-11 | USA:PG-13 (certificate #42582) | Germany:12 | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Norway:11 | Argentina:13 | Chile:TE | Brazil:10 | USA:PG-13 | Philippines:G (MTRCB) | Iceland:10 | Portugal:M/12 | Sweden:11 | Hong Kong:IIA | South Korea:12 (DVD rating) | South Korea:All | New Zealand:M | South Africa:10V

Filming Locations:

Art Gallery Of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

When Superman saves Perry White from the falling globe off the roof of the Daily Planet, this is a reference to Atlas, a mythological figure who bore the weight of the world on his shoulders.

Goofs:

Factual errors: Jimmy tells Clark that Luthor was freed from jail because Superman didn't appear when the Court of Appeals called him as a witness. Court of Appeals rulings are based on the facts in evidence from the previous trial, and nothing else. No new evidence or testimony is allowed.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Jor-El: You will travel far my little Kal-El. But we will never leave you. Even in the face of our deaths. You will make my strength your own. You will see my life through your eyes as your life will be seen through mine. The son becomes the father, and the father, the - The son.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Jimmy on Jimmy (2008) (V)

Soundtrack:

Heart and Soul

A Fitting Tribute

This movie sought to answer two questions: whether the fictional world of Metropolis still needs Superman; and whether the Man of Steel, essentially an overgrown boy scout, can compete with the darker heroes and anti-heroes dominating the silver screen today (such as Batman and the heroes of the Marvel universe). Thus, the question for both worlds is, "Do we still need Superman?" After seeing the film, I am happy to report that the answer is a resounding, "Yes!" Essentially, this movie pays tribute to that first great film in every single way. While a few myopically see this as "ripping off" the first film or as laziness on the part of the filmmakers, the filmmakers saw themselves as paying tribute to that great film that made us believe that a man could fly (containing as it did everything that makes us love the movies). Thus, it helps to see the film in this context. Thus, if you loved the first film, you will almost certainly love this one.

Much as he did for X-Men and X2, Singer injected the story both with emotional depth and an intriguing and highly relevant thematic subtext that made what could have been just another summer blockbuster filled with mindless action sequences into something much more. Singer made more effective use of the messianic motif than even the first film did, and although I am not a particularly religious person myself, this fits the Superman mythos like a glove, as this is essentially who the character is: a secular messiah.

The high quality acting helped Singer bring this ambitious vision to life. Brandon Routh more than adequately filled the large shoes left by Christopher Reeve, and Richard Donner, the director of Superman: The Movie, wholeheartedly agrees (having said so in an interview with the BBC). Bosworth fittingly played the part of a woman who truly moved on with her life after the man she loved ditched her without so much as a goodbye and displayed true confusion and even bitterness over his vaunted return. Spacey actually outdid Hackman as Luthor, having made him a serious villain that simply exuded hate for the Man of Steel. Finally, Frank Langella and Sam Huntington perfectly filled the roles of Perry White and Jimmy Olsen, respectively.

Still, viewers need to know a few things before watching the movie. Although the movie itself fails to make this explicit, press releases make it quite clear that Singer chose to ignore Superman 3 and 4 and instead concentrate on building a story that takes place following Superman I and II. Keep this in mind when viewing the film, and you will not feel lost.

Also, try to watch the first two films before watching this one. This film pays tribute to Superman: The Movie in every single way (and Superman II in a more subtle way), and picking up on these references will greatly enhance your experience.

Finally, as I hinted before, do not expect a movie jam packed with action sequences. Although the movie certainly contains awe-inspiring special effects and plenty of eye candy in the form of incredible action sequences, the film seeks to make an emotional connection with fans instead of merely titillating them. Much like in the first film, the effects are wisely understated and thus serve the story rather than vice versa. Expect a film of emotional depth instead of a mere action movie.

Enjoy the movie, and happy flying!