John Stanko

I promised a review of my latest venture into movieland to see Superman Returns, so here goes.  I grew up on Superman comic books and the original television show when it was being shown in black and white!  I haven't missed one of the Superman movies since they began featuring the late Christopher Reeves. 

This edition is a bit long at 2 hours and 40 minutes.  I was surprised at the continuity with the previous Superman movies.  There's still the great soundtrack by John Williams and all the characters are there:  Perry White, Lois Lane, Jimmy Olson and the criminal mastermind Lex Luthor (now played by Kevin Spacey).  I was intrigued at how the current movie revisited scenes and themes from the originals, sometimes repeating them and at other times building on them. 

The current Lois Lane is portrayed by someone much more appealing than Margot Kidder in the earlier movies.  I won't reveal the main plot, but will tell you that Superman has a love child!  I guess Superman still stands for "truth, justice and the American way" but not for chastity or waiting until one is married to have sex.  Oh well, I guess no one is perfect, even the Man of Steel!  But what an inconsistency with the intent of the founders, who positioned Superman as perfect, except for his weakness around green kryptonite.

This movie is highly entertaining and the special effects are great.  Many have raised the possibility the Superman Returns incorporates Christian themes.  I doubt if the producers or writers had that in mind, but some of the things Superman says could come out of the Bible.  But in no way is this a biblical or Christian movie.  I accept it for what it is--a Holloywood movie and not a Sunday School lesson.

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