CONTINUED
FROM COLUMN 1
Again, Superman Returns succeeds largely because
of the interconnected triangle between Kal-El, Lois and
the recently prison-released criminal mastermind, Lex Luthor.
Their histories are inseparable, and the creative team craft
their story as a mounting series of actions and reactions
that ricochet between the trio. Lois and Superman
have a deep bond that has remained unbroken, though painfully
unrequited, since his mysterious disappearance. Lex
Luthor knows Superman's weaknesses — compassion, honor,
selflessness — and shares none of them, but has patiently
(if cruelly) plotted to exploit all those flaws to
exact his revenge on the Man of Steel. As Luthor unveils
his evil plan to destroy and rebuild the planet as we know
it, he revels with mad glee that Lois Lane and her son,
Jason, will be his first victims at the epicenter of this
cataclysm, knowing it will lure Superman right into Luthor's
deadly trap.
On this triangle of well-written characters, played
by three well-cast actors, Superman Returns builds
layer after layer of satisfying success. Kevin
Spacey's performance as Luthor deftly bridges the
conceptual gap between outrageous comic book villain and
a true modern world threat. The role is not written
for over-the-top gags and laughs: Luthor's insane menace
is cruel and utterly ruthless, yet that depravity is where
Lex derives his giddy joy that offers believable comedic
flashes through his otherwise darkly brooding performance.
This lethal combination is best illustrated as Lex
reveals to his thugs and Kitty Kowalski his plan to use
stolen Kryptonian crystals to remake the world in his demented
image. He tests the crystal-generating effect in his
huge basement train set, a scale miniature of the Metropolis
world he so badly wishes to rule. As the crystals
grow and utterly destroy his model train world in cataclysmic
upheaval, Spacey's Luthor watches with the wide-eyed fascination
of a delighted boy as the destruction exceeds his wildest
nightmares. Spacey deftly walks the fine line between
comic madness and lethal danger throughout the film, exposing
Luthor's flawed genius in craft both delightful and fearsome
to watch.
No less commanding of attention is the relationship
between Lois and Superman, which can be tense, bitter and
deeply heartfelt, and on occasion all three at the same
time. Kate Bosworth skillfully enacts
a more emotionally complicated Lois Lane, as indeed the
writers have deepened her character by making her a mother.
No longer can Lois forsake all, even her own well being,
just to pursue the latest newsworthy crisis. Just
as can she so no longer surrender her heart to Superman,
with her fiancé Richard White in the picture.
We suspect it's much easier for Lois to recover from her
nearly fatal jet disaster than it is to stabilize herself
after Kal-El bounds back into her life. Bosworth plays
this inner conflict with steely charm and moving pathos,
a woman torn between her personal duty, her professional
responsibility, and an unrequited love that is truly, painfully
unique to Lois among all human beings on Earth.
Superman Returns' heartbreak and harrowing danger
would fail to register at all without Brandon Routh,
the relative newcomer actor who has stepped into the boots
of one of the world's iconic characters, and taken great
strides forward playing it. Routh displays such subtle
skill in defining his own Clark Kent and Kal-El, consistent
and highly complimentary to Christopher Reeve's interpretations,
but here clearly branded as Brandon's own. Clark is
a little less bumbling and a little more naively endearing,
and amazingly Routh can deliberately walk that line between
Kal-El's acting the gosh-gee klutz and truly being a bit
of a fumbler in Lois's dynamic presence, and make both moments
believable. Superman is made stronger, more realistic
and relatable because there is that core of Routh's Clark
Kent within him.
As Superman, Routh displays powerful command of the
character, never lapsing into campy excess or lazy content
to let the suit and special effects do the acting for him.
Superman Returns' greatest success may be due to
Routh's ability to simultaneously separate then unite the
three facets of his character, and act them forcefully or
quietly with superhuman feats and subtle glances.
His masterful combination of these traits, with utter respect
to the late Christopher Reeve, offer unprecedented depth
not seen before in a cinematic Superman. Yet Routh
deliver consistent charm and levity in the role, which keeps
the film an uplifting, buoyant experience from the classic
opening credits to Superman's final salute.
A strong supporting cast bolster the film even more with
solid performances. Frank Langella
plays a cerebral, business-like Perry White, editor of the
Daily Planet, who must continually keep his staff on top
of the greatest return story ever printed. The film
is simply too large to fit more screen time for Langella,
but what exists is choice material. James
Marsden, as Perry's nephew Richard White, offers
a fine performance as the romantic third-wheel between Lois
and Superman, never sacrificing his dignity or pride in
this superhuman plot complication, which helps ground this
otherworldly love triangle in painful, tangled emotional
reality.
As Kitty Kowalski, Parker Posey
proves a refreshing if underwritten comic foil to Lex Luthor's
evil genius, but she fulfills her role in the story aptly
and delivers the requisite lighter comic touches from inside
her quirky character, not just off the script. Veteran
actress Eva Marie Saint fortifies Martha
Kent with unwavering love and support for her adopted son
of Krypton, in a small but sweet role as a mother from whom
Kal-El can indeed draw strength enough to return as Superman.
Special kudos to young actor Tristan Lake Leabu,
who plays Lois's son, Jason, along with kudos to the writer's
for creating a believable five-year old character dropped
into the center of this supersized drama. Less is
more with Tristan's work as Jason, especially since he ends
up playing a crucial role in the expansion of the Superman
saga.
John Ottman's stirring film score salutes
the classic John Williams Superman theme, and incorporates
key motifs from the first two films, then builds the emotional
resonance of the film with his original compositions.
From the opening credits, the soundtrack underscores triumph
and tragedy, intimate moments of delicate notes and brash,
choruses of exaltation. Another great compliment
to the 70s cinematic history of the franchise, while boldly
setting its own course for the future.
In the end, this film is Superman taken seriously, but not
too much so. Parents of youngsters should note that
its PG-13 rating is earned, but not pointlessly so.
Dangers are real, criminal power corrupts with violent result,
but always with strong moral struggle amid the chaos. But
love, honor and loyalty conquer any and all foes to truth
and justice, and once again Superman stands for it all.
Bryan Singer, Michael Dougherty, Dan Harris and Brandon
Routh clearly love the material and the man, and their collective
mission to rekindle that affection among audiences is why
Superman Returns in welcome triumph to a world
that truly needs more heroes, human if possible, superhuman
if only in our delighted cinematic imaginations.
