Superman Returns!

And Thank God he did.
I need to start out by saying: This film is immediately in my Top Five Films of All Time. It's up there with The Original Star Wars Trilogy. That's the highest compliment I can give any film.

There are quite a few points I have to talk about here, so let me get started. Warning: Obsessive Superman Rant to Follow.

As the opening credits rolled, in the same style as the original 1978 Superman film, and the familiar John Williams theme blasted out at us in surround, I was five years old again. I actually got chills over my whole body remembering it. I was also immediately captivated by the opening sequence that went with the credits, which involved us feeling as if we were swirling through the universe and touring the planets and stars there.

But then the film starts, and I tried to keep my mind open. When I first heard that they wanted to make a new Superman movie, I thought the idea was blasphemy. There's only ONE Superman, I said, and that man is Christopher Reeve. The original was perfect in itself, cheesy 'I'm flying!' voice-overs from Lois Lane aside. No one could ever top the original, so why are they trying? I said this. But they did top the original. The original is one of my favorite films; but this new one? It blows that old one out of the water. That's saying a lot.

I got teary many times as I watched this movie, as the spirit of Christopher Reeve was all over it. Newcomer Brandon Routh not only looks like Reeve, he sounds like him too. But Brandon was not a caricature. He brought something to this role that was new and exciting. Superman in this film was everything we wanted him to be: Vulnerable as The Outsider, God-Like, Romantic (with Lois), Strong, Heroic, and Beautiful.

Points to Consider:

1) The Cast. Kevin Spacey? Perfect as Lex Luthor, and one of the best actors of our time. Parker Posey as Lex's female sidekick? Perfect. I had concerns about Posey, as she tends to play the same character in everything, but she was incredible in this role. Kate Bosworth as Lois Lane? Again, I had concerns. I loved 'Blue Crush,' but I also loved Margot Kidder and felt the role was miscast when I heard Bosworth was the one. She proved me completely wrong. She WAS Lois Lane, and the kind of Lois Lane I loved. Strong, willful, and devoted to the ones she loves. Brandon Routh? In a word: Divine. This young man needs to have a major career. Words I never thought I'd say: Brandon IS now Superman. He made me get over my lifelong idea of Christopher Reeve as the ONLY Superman. Not to ever take anything away from Reeve. He will always be one of my favorite actors. I'm just saying, Brandon hit it completely out of the park. And it broke all of the lights.

2) The Plot. I wondered what direction they'd go with the plot. They stayed true to the classic films and the comics, no small feat. Plenty of action, drama, romance, and just general Superman-ness. There was even a nod to the TV show 'Smallville.' Most importantly, you could tell that the director and the writers LOVE Superman and his story. My heart jumps a little when I feel passion from writers and filmmakers. THIS, Hollywood, is HOW IT'S DONE. If every film were this well put together and full of love for the characters, I'd probably have fainting spells at the movies. I love movies, sometimes even 'bad' ones, but the Good ones...they take my breath away and remind me why my dream in life is to make a film from my novels.

3) The Jesus Factor. Because I had a rather devout Christian upbringing, I tend to notice Christian symbolism in movies. I didn't think they were very subtle in this film, which was a good thing. Lois says, "The world doesn't need a Savior." Later, Superman tells her, "You wrote that the world didn't need a Savior, but I hear people crying out for one every day." Superman even gets to do the Jesus Christ Pose as he falls to the earth at one point, arms outstretched. That could be me reading too much into it, but really, isn't Superman like a God? Lex calls Superman a 'God in a red cape' at one point. He's the impenetrable man: Bullets deflect off of him, he does all he can to save us all, he sees and hears all, and he's pretty near perfect. Not trying to give too much of a spoiler, but he even sacrificed himself for the world in this movie.

4) The Father/Son Dynamic. Seeing Marlon Brando's otherwordly Jor-El again was one thing. But seeing Superman with Lois' son was absolutely poetic. I really felt connected to Superman's struggle to learn who he is, as he relates to his father. It reminded me that we all come from our parents, and how extraordinary that relationship can be.

5) Prometheus and Atlas. If Lex Luthor was Prometheus, a cunning and deceitful being who held no awe for the Gods (Superman), then Superman was Atlas, who held the world on his shoulders. He literally holds the 'Daily Planet' globe on his shoulders at one point, making us want to almost bow.

It's no surprise that the special effects in this film were incredible. They were so sharp and clear and realistic, we all wanted to live in that world. And that, my friends, is the sign of a great movie: We want to BE IN IT, to live THERE.

I've been a Superman fan my whole life. As characters go, he's one of the best ever created. And as far as films go, he got his day. Thank You, Bryan Singer (the director/writer)!!!!

Grade: A+++++++ Off the scales. Perfection on Film. Rare, and extraordinary!

Things I wanted to yell out during this film

1) Jesus take me now! I've seen the best the world has to offer!
2) Who else wants to climb him like a jungle gym? Just me and Bean?
3) John Williams, you're killing me with that music. You brilliant, savant of a man!
4) Is anyone else in here flying? Just me?
5) The x-ray vision was especially cool to see. He can x-ray me ANYTIME!

(Note to self: Many pics of Brandon to go on the wall. I'm, like, 12 again. hee!)

Have a great day, All.
And DO go to see 'Superman Returns.'
You won't be disappointed.