Last night, the most anticipated movie of the summer flew into Austin to debut at the Regal Gateway 16...and it brought the Carnies along with it. With a history that goes back to 1994 and a budget greater than that of Titanic's, Bryan Singer's "Superman Returns" was worth the wait and the inflated budget. I know what you're thinking. "CJ, I saw Superman 3. How could it possibly get any better than Richard Pryor flying right along side the Man of Steel?" Well, trust me and the appeased prize whores that camped out all day long for a free movie...it was.
Knowing what a huge movie it would be, and because I am a geek in every sense of the word, I wisely arrived at the theater around 5:30pm for a 7:30pm start. I turned the corner to find the hallway at Gateway lined with people in lawn chairs and the unmistakeable scent of popcorn and B.O. These people had been there since 3pm...for a free movie...3pm. Regardless, I took my place in line with some friends of mine and waited amongst the unemployed. We were able to be seated in the theater early since we had a pregnant woman with us. They are so choice...if you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up. Anyway, the movie doesn't start until close to 8pm so naturally the natives got a little restless. After a little smack talk from some jackass on our row (no, it wasn't me) the movie I've been waiting for since 1980 began.
Superman Returns picks up immediately where Superman II (1980) left off. Superman has been flying around in search of his home planet of Krypton because astronomers said that they believed they had found it. Well...astronomers also gave Nancy and Ronald Regan a lot of advice and we all know how well that went. So, after an unsuccessful five years of flying around, Superman returns to Metropolis to reclaim his old job at the Daily Planet and win back Lois Lane who now has a son and a fiance. Once again proving that he is not from this world, Superman thinks that Lois would wait five years for him. Come on Sup...sure you can fly, but you can't stop a woman's biological clock. Shortly after his arrival he once again has to save the world from the perfectly evil Lex Luther.
All of this sounds like something you've seen before, but trust me, it doesn't unfold like at all. I could not take my eyes off the screen. I haven't been this enamored by a film in years. Every scene was just pure joy to watch. The special effects were sharper than anything I have ever seen, the direction pitch perfect and the acting was compelling. Kevin Spacey as Lex Luther is the most inspired casting decision since Brendan Fraser was cast as Link in Encino Man. Ok, bad example, but Spacey could earn yet another Oscar nomination. Brandon Routh as Superman was a perfect call. He looks just like Christopher Reeve and glides through the role with ease. Kate Bosworth as Lois Lane...well, I finally understand why Superman likes her. Margot Kidder was just a little too rough and raspy for me.
I don't want to give anymore away because to experience it with a fresh view is the only way. At any rate, Superman Returns to theaters and so will I... to see it a second time.
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