Okay, the movie's out, but is it good? Yes. For the most part. I know that director Bryan Singer is a big fan of the original Donner film, so I expected one or two homages, but there's a lot more similarities that I thought. Even to the degree that some may just want to call this a remake of the original, rather than a sequel.
The cast is one of the stronger elements of the film. Brandon Routh is believable as Superman and as Clark Kent, though I don't think he'll top Christopher Reeve in the hearts of many, again this due to the fact that Routh plays Kent/Superman too close to the way that Reeve did it. If he added more of his own spin, then he might have done an even better job. Kevin Spacey does another great job as the villain, combining charm and twisted anger. Unfortunately, his character is too isolated from everyone else and only has one major scene with Lois and one scene with Superman. The new Lois Lane is okay, but she seems too cold or reserved. Also, I'm older than her, and I'm not even 25.
Two actors deserve acknowledgement: Parker Posey and James Marsden. She's funny; he's sympathetic; and they're both in the movie more than I thought they'd be. Posey provides a more three dimensional Girl Friday to Spacey's Luthor, but she doesn't do anything in the last hour except to look guilty. Marsden, at least, gets to help rescue Lois... and Superman.
The second strongest element is the special effects. All 250 million dollars worth. Breathtaking and spectacular, especially the plane disaster in the first hour of the film. Also, I thought it would worth noting that each of Superman's powers, including heat vision and super breath, are used in this film.
There are only little things that bother me with this film. The beginning jumps around too much, and the last 30 minutes drag on for too long. John Ottman gives us another compelling score, using John Williams' themes, but should have focused on editing the film. It's too long. Seriously, it's too long. Also, there's the kid. Not as annoying as I thought, but he's just an ugly continunity problem waiting to happen.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that it's an entertaining film, but it had dared to get out of the shadow of the Donner film, it could have be, well, super. B
