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Superman Returns
Studio executives summary / pitch
All new Superman, with brand new up-to-date special effects, but we can still save some money on using the old music... gonna be a smash...
Short plot summary

Brandon Routh plays Superman, who has returned to earth after 5 years away on a journey of self-discovery...

What our panel of critics thought

"The same music? THE SAME MUSIC? I feel cheated and I want my money back."

"Kevin Spacey is a slap headed genius, and you may quote me on that my dear boy."

"I do hope the Superman curse is good to Brandon."

"Whilst it is true we have been here many times before, it is still a nice journey, but where to from here?"

"Nicely lit throughout. A triumph!"

"Has Brandon Routh brought out a workout DVD to get that body? I am a smidge under 350 lbs and I just gotta get me that body. Anyone?"

"Superman, you are so cruel, throwing that ball for the dog so far! Shame on you, be-caped ball throwy bully boy!"

"OK. Look. I can accept that those stupid naïve cretins in the 1940's and 1950's (no offense intended) could be fooled by the Clark Kent putting glasses on disguise, but not today. They both return together, they are never seen together, oh come off it! I'm suing them for stupidity!"

"A triumph of SuperNEWman."

"Has there ever been a moment in Superman history when Superman forgets to take off his Clark Kent glasses and fly's through the air like a bird and plane? That would be absolutely hilarious. Anyone? Seriously though, if Lois saw him like that then surely she would see through the disguise? No?"

Please tell me the ending (SPOILER).

Lois Lane's kid is Superman's.

Quotable quotes (real)

"Like Sea Monkeys..."

"Well I hope this experience has not put any of you off flying, it is still statistically the safest form of travel."

Any particularly good marketing tie-in products I should look out for?

Breakfast Supercereals with Supersugar and Supercorn.

Superchocolate.

Book: How To Be A Superman For Dummies

Is there enough yearney, it's never gonna happen, but it just might, almost-love in this movie?

The love element is done very well and the flying through the city at night with the romantic music in the background is excellent. Can't exactly remember the details, but there's a moment when Lois drops something in the Newspaper office and there is a moment of realization on Clark's face. Very very well done.

Justify this movie's existence in the Popcorn strand. Why is this movie not a classic? By Veritable Cornucopia.

Did comic books on the big screen start with Superman???

Superman is a pretty easy superhero to do, just make him fly, give him a cape and off you go. The new special effects are surely superb, however this critic was disappointed that they used the same music. The music was originally composed for the Christopher Reeves series, could they not have come up with something new?

Brandon Routh is fine as Superman and Clark Kent. However our comparison was never with Christopher Reeves (I can't even watch Christopher Reeves' Superman now as I once saw a bit of the truly abysmal Superman IV once) but it is with television Superman Dean Cain, who was perfect.

Good as far as it got, special effects excellent, however what for Superman 2 now that Richard Pryor is dead?

Estimate number of deaths in this movie.
17 (Kevin Spacey and all his support staff).
Other comments

It's nice to see Superman back, however we have been here many times before and whilst the special effects are fantastic and Kevin Spacey is particularly superb, we wonder where do we go from here?

Date of review

January 17, 2007

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