Superman Returns

Starring Brandon Routh, Kate Bosworth, Kevin Spacey, and James Marsden.
Directed by Brian Singer

SUMMARY
This installment is actually in keeping with the original Superman movies, but takes place between 2 and 3. In fact it really happens after 1 and 2, and pretends that 3 and 4 never happened. Superman returns from searching for his home planet and struggles to re-insert himself into society as both Clark and Superman.

REVIEW
I appreciated that the special effects in this movie were, in my opinion, not overdone. The effects were classy and appealing, but they did not run the movie. The story ran the movie. Superman movies are different from other superhero movies in that Superman does not typically fight people. His is Superman! No one can stand with him. Batman, Spiderman, and the X-Men can all have long, interesting fight scenes, but Superman simply flies in, saves people, and throws the bad guys in prison. This, again, forces the movie to be driven by a good story, and this movie is. It deals with real people with issues. It deals with Superman's/Clark's issues, but not his alone. Other characters wrestle with issues such as significance, identity, and the need for a Savior. It sounds cheesy to hear it said as I just said it, but it does not take itself more seriously than it should, and this allows it to explore some good issues. When it comes down to it, Kevin Spacey steals the show, in this reviewer's opinion. He is always amazing.

QUESTION FOR THOUGHT
Do we sacrifice for our calling in life? What is okay to sacrifice, and what is more important than any "calling" we think we might have? This movie, like the Spiderman films, wrestles with this question, but in the way that comes out differently than in Spiderman.

OVERALL
Definitely worth seeing. I am not a Superman fan (never read a comic book), but it was another winner in the recent trend of well-done comic book movies (the best of which was Batman Begins). Worth seeing, and (in case you're interested) very clean.
Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5 possible.