ReviewReview

Cast & crewCast & crew

Superman Returns

(2006)
4 stars
12
Prepare to marvel at more death-defying feats as X-Men director Bryan Singer resurrects the Man of Steel for a new millennium. Newcomer Brandon Routh dons the cape as Superman and he carries two-and-a-half hours of preposterous plot with sheer charm, growing in confidence even as the plausibility of Clark Kent's dual existence is stretched to breaking point. Routh's eerie resemblance to Christopher Reeve is a bonus that also reflects Singer's back-to-basics approach: the film is tinged with nostalgia for the original franchise, from the cheeky humour to John Williams's trumpeting score. But Singer also takes advantage of new technology to create even-more breathtaking special effects, as when Superman balances an aeroplane on its nose. Kevin Spacey is adeptly sinister as Lex Luthor, although Parker Posey steals his thunder as sassy gangster's moll Kitty Kowalski. And, while Kate Bosworth might be a little too timid for Lois Lane, her thorny relationship with the long-absent Superman provides a nice counterpoint to all the world-saving exploits. SP

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Running time

147min

Country of origin

US / Aus

Genre

Fantasy Adventure

Alternate title

Red Sun

Original language

English

Screenplay

Michael Dougherty, Dan Harris, from a story by Bryan Singer, Dougherty, Harris, from characters created by Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster

Theatrical distributor

Warner Bros

UK cinema certificate

12A

UK cinema release date

July 2006

Film certification logos reproduced by kind permission of BBFC
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Director
Bryan Singer
Starring
Brandon Routh
Kevin Spacey
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