Warner Bros., 2006. Directed by: Bryan Singer Starring: Brandon Routh, Kevin Spacey, Kate Bosworth.
The story begins 5 years after “Superman II” (1980). Superman returns from space after a 5 year failed attempt to discover any remaining remnants of his home planet, Krypton. Brandon Routh does a very good job of playing Clark Kent/Superman, and picking up the role that Christopher Reeve defined. Clark gets his old job back at the Daily Planet, and seeks out his old friends, particularly Lois Lane, who he finds out has ‘moved’ on and is living with her fiance, along with her 5 year old son.
One immediately begins to wonder who’s son he really is. Kate Bosworth is beautiful to look at and does a good job playing Lois Lane, but she lacks the ‘cutting edge’ aggressiveness that Margo Kidder use to bring to the table. Superman eavesdrops on the new ‘family’ with sadness and longing from afar, then goes about his usual business, catching crooks and saving lives.
Meanwhile, Lex Luthor is out of prison, taking fortunes from dying old ladies, and hatching his next plot, which includes destroying the eastern half of the USA. Kevin Spacey does an incredible job in this diabolical role. There is a humorous side to the Lex character, and then there is a contrasting dark-brooding-evil persona that completes the Luthor identity. Spacey is able to present both sides in a convincing way.
The story is good, the graphics are incredible, and the movie is first-rate. It goes down well, and leaves you hoping for more and speculating about the future.
Religious Themes:
This movie picks up the religious themes from the original 1978 “Superman the Movie”, Superman as a ‘Christ figure’ is obvious. Jor-EL (Marlon Brando) is cameod and talks once more about ‘The Father and The Son’, he also says:
The people of earth can be a great people…They need a light to show them the way.
At one point in the movie, Lois says: The world doesn’t need a savior, and neither do I. At this, Superman replies: But every day I hear people crying out for one. (There is one scene where Superman is hovering above the earth and hears the thoughts and prayers of seemingly thousands of people.)
***Continue if you have seen the movie:
Superman saves the USA once more, as he floats back to earth, his body is in the form of a cross and he lands hard upon the earth. The emergency doctors try to save him, but he appears to die. Later, he inexplicably comes back to life. At the end, he visits Lois’ son while he sleeps, and talks about “The Father and The Son” and how they are forever tied.
The movie leaves me hoping for the coming of the ‘real’ superman–Jesus Christ. The world does need a savior and so do I. What will the world really be like following his coming? Come Lord Jesus.