by Kevin C. Carr

Created on: January 27, 2007   Last Updated: May 09, 2007

Bryan Singer has once again proved he is a force to be reckoned with. His latest film "SUPERMAN RETURNS" is not only a super-charged, special effects joyride, but it is a phenomenal tribute to Richard Donner's awe-inspiring, version of "SUPERMAN" starring Christopher Reeve (the epitome of Superman). Singer honors Donner's vision without losing sight of his own. The story Singer and screenwriters (Mike Dougherty and Dan Harris) created is poignant, character-driven, and highly emotional. It also rings true with the originally conceived Superman legend that Jerry Siegel and Joel Shuster created back in 1938 and respects the verisimilitude of the character that Christopher Reeve had brought to Superman and Richard Donner had instilled in his project back in 1978.

Brandon Routh, newcomer much like Reeve was back in '78, had his hands full with the shadow of Christopher Reeve's legacy flying above him. But to his credit and Mr. Singer's, Brandon Routh did a spectacular job of exuding the power and presence of The Man Of Steel without letting his performance turn into a mimicry of Christopher Reeve's inspirational performance. Not only did Routh eerily look like Reeve's, but the way he carried himself, both as Clark Kent and Superman, gave me a heartfelt reminiscence of what I grew up thinking Superman should be. Christopher Reeve, bless his soul, introduced me to The Man Of Steel and Brandon Routh has re-affirmed why I treasure those memories of my youth.

All in all, Bryan Singer has brought together a tremendous cast (Kate Bosworth as Lois Lane...breathtaking/ Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor...well, he's Spacey, fantastic/ Frank Langella as Perry White....another screen icon in his own right/ and so on and so on) and crew to breathe a new type of life into such an iconic figure of our pop culture.

I have seen the movie at least five times in the attempt to find something wrong with it or something I would hate about it, but I couldn't. But every time I watch "SUPERMAN RETURNS" it only gets better and better to the eyes and my spirit.

I will always hold Richard Donner's and Christopher Reeve's "SUPERMAN" close to my heart. But Bryan Singer has my thanks and gratitude for bringing a hero of mine back to life.

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