Superman Returns (2006)

Superman Returns is a great follow up to original Superman film series. Superman Returns ignores the bad version in Superman 3 and 4 and, instead, chooses to follow up the story after the original Superman 2 was completed. Christopher Reeves, who played the original Superman/Clark Kent is replaced in Returns by the charming and warm Brandon Routh. Margot Kidder, who played Lois Lane in the first two films is replaced by Kate Bosworth and Gene Hackman, as Lex Luthor, is replaced by the equally talented Kevin Spacey.

The film, directed by X-Men 1 and 2 helmsman Bryan Singer, does a great job of interweaving elements from the original two films into this third installment. In this story, Superman, having heard from astronomers that Krypton may not have been completely destroyed, leaves Earth to return to his home planet only to find it completely obliterated. The journey takes him two years and when he returns, a lot has changed. Lois is involved with her Editor's nephew, played by James Mardsen, and they have a son. Lois has also recently won a Pulitzer prize for her article Why The World Doesn't Need Superman, which was an outgrowth of the feelings of spurned love at Superman's departure.

The story then propels forwards as Luthor has plans to create his own continent using some of Superman's crystals from his fortress of solitude. The story nicely intertwines Superman trying to understand and possibly recapture his relationship with Lois while, at the same time, trying to stop Luthor from completing his evil plan.

The special effects in this film are amazing compared to the first two films. And Routh, who many people have unfairly criticized, in my opinion, does a great job of showing his emotions through his eyes, not through words. Superman is stuck wanting to rekindle an ultimately unworkable relationship with Lois, but struggles at the impact it would have on her son and boyfriend.

I found the film to be very rewarding and exciting. For me, it was far more enjoyable than Pirates 2 and slightly better than X-Men 3, so as far as summer releases this year, Superman Returns leads the pack.