So, Pirates of the Caribbean 2 was sold out.  That left Superman Returns since we didn’t want to wait.  I’m not sure why I was waiting to see this movie, maybe it was the mediocre response from other moviegoers, I don’t know, but damn am I glad I went to see this film.  If you are a fan of Superman: The Movie or to a lesser extent Superman II, then you will like, if not love, this film.  It is visually stunning and unlike the first films, you really will believe a man can fly.

***SPOILERS***

Brandon Routh is getting a lot of attention for his portrayal of Superman, mostly due to his uncanny resemblance to a young Christopher Reeve.  Granted, he not an acting dynamo, but he inhabits the role quite well — both physically and emotionally.  Yeah, he looks good in the tights, or as the woman sitting two seats down from me said, "He fills them out in all the ‘right places’."  He also inhabits the role emotionally and you find him believable as this fictional superhero running around in red and blue tights.  Given time, and some other roles, I think he could be an accomplished actor.  Hopefully, he can keep Superman from  defining his entire career as it did for Christopher Reeve.

Kevin Spacey was perfect in the role of Lex Luthor.  Unlike Gene Hackman, who played role up in its highest camp, Spacey brought an evil to the role we’ve only seen so far in Michael Rosenbaum’s Smallville version.  Yeah, he’s funny, but it’s in a an evil maniac sort of way.  It’s downright frightening in some ways.  For example, when Lex and his henchmen are beating the hell out of Superman after he’s been weakened by Kryptonite you actually hate the man.

That scene, which comes about because Lex has used Kryptonian technology and Kryptonite, to make a new continent on which Superman couldn’t even stand.  In his weakened state he is vulnerable to even the weakest human being and is almost beaten to death.  It was very reminiscent of the scene in Superman II when Clark is beaten up in the diner after giving his powers for Lois Lane.  It’s a scene of high emotion and real drama.  Bryan Singer was able to re-create that in his version with all the drama and emotion.  I was actually on the edge of my seat.

I also liked James Marsden in the role of Richard White.  Poor James got the opportunity of a lifetime when he was cast in the role of Cyclops in X-Men, but Hugh Jackman was the breakout star of the film and the focus shifted to him in the films that followed.  As Halle Berry demanded more attention Marsden became little more than a bit player.  While he is still in the supporting role with Superman Returns it is a much juicier role than Cyclops.  He’s just a regular guy, but he’s also just as much a hero as Superman.  Maybe now he can get a little love from Hollywood.

It wasn’t all good.  I did not like Kate Bosworth in the role of Lois Lane.  First, she wasn’t old enough to play the part.  Second, her performance had very little emotion and came off wooden.  She’s only three years younger than Routh, but Routh had a real maturity that Bosworth seemed to lack.  She was completely unbelievable as the mother of a five-year-old.

That leads us to the big revalation that really isn’t all that big:  Superman turns out to be the father of Lois’ son.  I have to say the kid was kind of cute.  Tristin Leabu was really good as Jason and when he tosses a piano across the room to save his mother you can’t help but cheer.  The final scene in the movie, as Superman makes a small speech about fathers and sons while Jason sleeps, is the best part of the film.  This is, above all, a love story.  Yeah, there are real moments of action and adventure, but when you get right down to it, it’s about the unrequited love between Superman and Lois Lane.

Singer’s direction was spot on.  He pays real homage to Richard Donner’s vision of Superman.  I’ve never been a real fan of his vision — the look of Krypton and Kryptonians, the look of the Fortress — but Singer successfully melded that into his own vision of Superman.    Also, the music was great.  Even when it was stealing from John Williams’ signature Superman theme.  See the film.  It’s worth it.