Superman Returns
2006 · Directed by Bryan Singer
Original language: English
- science fiction
- action
- adventure
The story
Superman returns to discover his 5-year absence has allowed Lex Luthor to walk free, and that those he was closest to felt abandoned and have moved on. Luthor plots his ultimate revenge that could see millions killed and change the face of the planet forever, as well as ridding himself of the Man of Steel.
What it’s like
Golden, sun-washed daylight and glossy, saturated Metropolis skylines give this film a bright, classical-Hollywood sheen, with John Williams-inspired orchestral swells carrying the flight sequences and wide, lingering shots of the city and open sky. The mood is earnest and wistful, a warm nostalgia for old-fashioned heroism with a touch of melancholy running under the spectacle. Pacing is unhurried in its quieter stretches, with long dialogue scenes in offices and apartments giving way to big, bombastic set pieces: a plane rescue, a disaster sequence, and a final showdown that leans on sheer scale. The emotional core is a lonely, guilt-tinged hero trying to reconnect with the people he left behind. Intensity is moderate: there is peril and some destruction, and a few bloody moments, but no gore and little sustained violence. It suits a comfort rewatch on a weekend afternoon or a fan's evening, and it is for people who want big-screen superhero wonder with a gentle, reflective heart.
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