June 20, 2006. Copyright 2006, Graphic News. All rights reserved

Superman Returns
By Joanna Griffin

LONDON, June 20, Graphic News:  Warner Bros is hoping that absence makes the heart grow even fonder when it comes to its best loved superhero. Superman Returns brings back the Man of Steel in a caper that promises not only plenty of soaring above the Earth but also some landing with a bump as alter ego Clarke Kent realizes that longtime love Lois Lane has finally moved on.

The question for many is how Brandon Routh will fill the blue tights of Christopher Reeve, who died in 2004. Reeve played the role four times before he was paralysed in a riding accident. The actorÕs struggle to walk and his campaign on behalf of all those with spinal injuries led many to emphasise his ÒsupermanÓ persona. As if that werenÕt enough to live up to, the studio is reportedly nervous that Routh might not be ÒmachoÓ enough.

Routh has said that he has based his portrayal of Superman on ReeveÕs version in this new film directed by Bryan Singer, who is best known for the X-Men. ReeveÕs Superman was a virtuous, idealistic character who believed in helping others to do the right thing. ItÕs an interpretation that is likely to go down especially well in post-9/11 America. The film even features a scene in which the caped figure rescues a doomed Boeing 777 in mid-air.

Superman Returns picks up where the last movie left off: Superman has spent six years battling villains on Planet Krypton, where he went to establish his identity. He returns to find that -- on Earth -- life moves on. Back at the Daily Planet, Clarke Kent realises that Lois Lane (Kate Bosworth) has tired of waiting for him and has since become engaged. The world has also been managing nicely without superheroes.

However, with longtime nemesis Lex Luthor (Kevin Spacey) out of jail and intent on revenge, itÕs time for a comeback. Only mildly less challenging than saving the world is the battle to reclaim LaneÕs heart. Singer has described his film as a mixture of Òa unique take and a nostalgic takeÓ, and the romantic complications test Superman in a new way.

But if all that is too icky for the teenage boys awaiting the return of their hero, there ought to be plenty of action too. Warner Bros has spent $200 million on the movie. Unlike the 1978 version, for example, it has at its diposal high-tech computer animation rather than cranes and wires to propel its hero into the air. But these days thatÕs no guarantee that a film will fly.

Superman Returns is released on June 28.
/ENDS


Release dates worldwide

Jun 28: Philippines, United States
Jun 29: Australia, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Thailand
Jul 12: Belgium, France, Iceland, Switzerland (French speaking region)
Jul 13: Argentina, Chile, Czech Republic, Egypt, Hungary, Slovenia
Jul 14: Brazil, Estonia, Mexico, Spain, UK
Jul 20: Israel
Jul 26: United Arab Emirates
Jul 28: Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden
Aug 3: Netherlands
Aug 4: Poland
Aug 7: Greece
Aug 10: Slovakia
Aug 17: Germany, Switzerland (German speaking region)
Aug 18: Austria
Aug 19: Japan
Sep 1: Italy, Switzerland (Italian speaking region)