Movie Review: Superman Returns

Last year it was Batman Begins, and now we have Superman Returns. Rather than a retelling of the character's origins, this movie attempts to get past the mythos of Christopher Reeve's characterization and make audiences buy into Brandon Routh as an acceptable replacement. It also takes the liberty of ignoring the third and fourth sequels, which to me seems consistent with the tendency of comic books to thrash continuity in favor of a good story and attempt to fill in logical gaps later. However, I think that movie versions of comic books with a lot of history can get away with ignoring or changing aspects of the comic they are based on so long as the movies are consistent within whatever universe they create. So, purely on the level of storyline and plot, this tale will be criticized but it cannot necessarily be damned for the way it strays from the comic; as it does seem consistent with the first two movies.
Perhaps too much so. There were so many references and tribute shots from the earlier movies that at times it was like watching a Cliffs Notes version of I and II. Still, the film succeeds in spite of such gestures, due in large part to the casting. Most of the criticism I have heard is dissatisfaction with the people in each role, but I disagree. Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor doesn't exactly light up the screen, but his dry approach suits the character. Meanwhile, James Marsden appears as Lois Lane's fiancee, and is given the opportunity to act rather than just run around with silly sunglasses or eye-beam focusing goggles like he did as Cyclops in the X-men movies. And Routh carries the weight of the title character probably better than anyone might expect.
The story itself drags a little sometimes, and is often interrupted for the sake of iconic imagery, but it is a watchable enough plot to stay interesting.
Rating: flush