Opening 17 Aug 2006
Directed by:
Bryan Singer
Writing credits:
Michael Dougherty, Dan Harris
Principal actors:
Brandon Routh, Kate Bosworth, Kevin Spacey, James Marsden, Parker Posey
A new generation of Superman comes with an unknown mid-western actor, 27 year old Brandon Routh, in his film debut role as the man of steel. Well, almost all steel, seems his heart is a little softer. He’s back and he’s beautiful. It would be hard not to compare Routh with the wonderful Christopher Reeves, so I will. Routh plays bumbling reporter Clark Kent with the same grace, or un-grace as Reeves did and it is entertaining to watch. His acting alone sets the 2 characters apart because, come on…a pair of glasses and we cannot see Superman?! As Superman, Routh is fantastic and gives those long, lingering, confident looks that only a man who can leap tall buildings and save the world can give. That, along with his 4 ft wide shoulders and a new bordeaux and blue Superman suit makes us believe! The new millennium Superman also means, uh, new stuff. So, expect a twist on the plot and new-fangled high-tech operations. Kevin Spacey is a good bad-guy even with his shaved head. (What is up with Hollywood hair these days?) Worth the wait to see her short time on the screen is Eva Marie Saint (fantastic as the cool, blond, double agent in North by Northwest) as his Earth mother. It would not be Superman if Lois Lane were not there. She is and probably always will be a reporter at the Daily Planet but this time she has modern-day live-in boyfriend and little boy. The little boy appeared 4 years and 3 months ago and Superman left 5 years ago….hmmm, could it be…oh, I do not want to spoil it for you. Entertaining film, remember it is based on a comic book. (Vicki Filer Mensing)
