 Few of today's movie remakes and sequels live up to the excitement and fervor of the originals. They lack the newness, emotion, and even the spirit of their precursors. However, Superman Returns pleasantly breaks through this stereotype, proving to be an excellent picture.
There are several reasons why Superman Returns is enjoyable, but two reasons truly stand out. The first is the intentional focus on the relationship between Superman and Lois Lane. The second is the beautiful parallel drawn between the story of Superman and the story of Jesus Christ.
Too often, modern movies rely on special effects and high-intensity action scenes to please their audience. The problem with this approach is that it is no longer interesting and it has simply worn people out. People want to connect with the characters they see on the screen, not just be overwhelmed by the action. Fortunately, the producers of Superman Returns seem to be well aware of this as they built the story line around this intriguing relationship.
Men and women alike can relate to the relational issues faced by both Superman and Lois Lane. Both characters feel tension between what they want and what they can actually have. This creates a captivating dynamic and leads to several bittersweet situations. Not only does their relationship allow the viewer to connect to the characters of the movie, it also makes Superman more human and therefore more personal than your average superhero.
People often debate how various movies correlate with religious stories or other meta-narratives. But it is hard to argue against the Biblical symbolism in Superman Returns. Not just once or twice, but throughout the entire movie, there is a strong correlation between Superman and Jesus Christ. Lois states that the world doesn't need a savior, but Superman refutes that claim, saying he hears people crying out for a savior every day. Superman's father's voice echoes, "I sent my one and only son," and though Superman comes to save people, the world does not accept him and even abuses him. In fact, there is a striking similarity between this movie and The Passion of the Christ later on in the film. If there is any doubt about this Biblical correlation, the empty hospital bed near the end of the movie is hard to ignore.
Personally, I am not usually a big fan of metaphors in movies, especially when they are obvious. But the way the analogy was woven into the story of Superman Returns was simply beautiful. Whether you are a Christian or not, the parallel makes for a great story and provides some provocative perspectives on life.
Aside from these points, the acting was solid and the special effects were, for the most part, outstanding. The story flowed well and remained captivating, though I thought the ending was a bit drawn out. The music added to the emotion of the movie and the familiar Superman theme helped connect this film with the original series. Overall, Superman Returns is an enjoyable and rewarding movie to see. |
