Does Superman Returns Fly? Like most people I've seen the original Superman Trilogy with the late Christopher Reeves Sporting the legendary Lycra bodice with matching red boots and red cape but the films were as far as my knowledge goes.

I never got into all the different kind of rocks that would affect Superman or the whole history of how his home world was destroyed; I was more interested in the forbidden love of Lois and Clark. So I was relieved when I heard the up and coming fourth Superman film would push that relationship to the boundaries.

Anyone would admit that Christopher Reeves has left some big red boots to fill. Stepping up to the challenge in Superman's first motion picture since Reeves past away is strapping newcomer Brandon Routh who provides some well needed eye candy and a perfectly capable rival for Christian Bale's hunky Batman. After the tedious opening sequence' that is clearly the reason this summers blockbuster is the most expensive of all time, Superman returns to earth after a long visit to the remains of his home world to a world that has forgotten about the savoir they once hailed a hero. So by saving a plane from crashing and the police force (yes another move that shows the American police force to be dim wits) from a guy with a lazar machine gun he hopes to win back the hearts of the world and most important his only love Lois Lane. Routh (who carries a scary resemblance to Reeves) can certainly handle the mind blowing action sequences and emotional romantic scenes but when it comes to human contact involving Superman's alter ego Clark Kent, Routh's inexperience of acting is evident.

Routh is joined by Blue Crush star and Miss Orlando Bloom, Kate Bosworth who takes over as hard cut journalist Lois Lane. Half expecting a boneless running screaming character that Bosworth is associated it's a pleasant surprise to find her to play Lois, probably one of the most famous heroines of all, to be the smart independent woman she is. Bosworth is definitelyraising the Hollywood barrier.

Although all the heart full romantics out there are sitting on the edge of
their seats praying for them to get together, the course of love doesn't run smoothly for the forbidden pair. Cue Lois's fiancé Richard White played by superhero film fanatic James Marsden. Last seen in his pitiful three-line performance in X-men three Marsden does a slightly better job as the rich son of Lois's editor even if next to Superman he seems quite frankly a bit of a wimp.

It was a good idea on paper for there to be a love triangle however the poor script makes the chemistry between Lois and Richard weak and at some points superficial. So every superhero has to have a supervillian and with eye candy Routh taking over as the man in red boots who better than legendary Kevin 'I hate Hollywood' Spacey to portray the bald enemy Lex Luther. Taking over from original baldy Gene Hackman Spacey provides more of a comedy act than a tarnished bad guy. Teamed with girlfriend Kitty (played by Josie & the Pussy Cat star Parker Posey) and they're crew of stereotypical crooks, Luther plans to create a new continent and flood the United States by using diamond extracts from Superman's home world.

Even though the special effects go beyond amazing and even a non sci-fi fan can boggle at the realistic space sequences, 'Superman Returns' falls short on its script. With the conversations lacking the emotion to make the characters realistic the story seems to loose purpose towards the middle butsoon picks up for a shocking and moving finish.

After all the action and violence these is one scene that still remains heart wrenching. The reunion of Lois and Superman on the roof of the 'Dailey Planet'. On top of the glistening rooftop the man of wonder hears the words that could destroy as Lois quotes 'The world doesn't need a saviour and neither do I'. Don't worry that's nothing that a quick fly in the sky won't recover.

So the new Superman movie is a hit with its amazing action sequences and warming love story.  Oh and Lois has a son but the question is whose the dad? The man who's raised him Richard or does his father have other worldly nature. Remember the article 'I Spent the night with Superman'? Better watch the skies!

By Katie Booth

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