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Superman Returns
2006 154 min United States of America PG-13 12+
★6.5
Science Fiction, Action, Adventure
Director: Bryan Singer
Trailers
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Description
Superman returns to discover his 5-year absence has allowed Lex Luthor to walk free, and that those he was closest to felt abandoned and have moved on. Luthor plots his ultimate revenge that could see millions killed and change the face of the planet forever, as well as ridding himself of the Man of Steel.
Budget:
$223M
US Gross:
$200.08M
Worldwide:
$391.08M
Starring
Brandon Routh
Actor
Kevin Spacey
Actor
Kate Bosworth
Actor
Awards
Saturn Awards 2007
— Best Fantasy Film
Saturn Awards 2007
— Best Original Score
Saturn Awards 2007
— Best Actor
Saturn Awards 2007
— Best Young Performer
Saturn Awards 2007
— Best Supporting Actor
Saturn Awards 2007
— Best Actor
Saturn Awards 2007
— Best Director
Saturn Awards 2007
— Best Screenplay
Saturn Awards 2007
— Best Visual Effects
Saturn Awards 2007
— Best Supporting Actress
Saturn Awards 2007
— Best Actress
BAFTA 2007
— Best Visual Effects
Razzie Awards 2007
— Worst Supporting Actress
Key opinion
Superman Returns is a polarizing film that favors a contemplative, serious tone and nostalgic homage over high-octane spectacle. While the technical craftsmanship and visual effects are widely praised, the movie is frequently criticized for its lethargic pace, thin emotional payoff, and an overly derivative approach to its source material.
| Score | The film utilizes John Williams' original score and stylistic nods to the Christopher Reeve era to effectively evoke a sense of nostalgic reverence. | |
| Production | The visual effects, particularly the realistic flight sequences and the elaborate airplane rescue, are consistently highlighted as high-quality technical achievements. | |
| Acting | Brandon Routh’s performance is met with sharp disagreement, with some seeing a successful, nuanced emulation of Christopher Reeve and others finding the portrayal wooden and lacking charisma. | |
| Acting | The interpretation of Lex Luthor is divisive, with some critics appreciating an intellectually driven villainy, while others dismiss the portrayal as weak, trivial, or miscast. | |
| Pacing | The nearly two-and-a-half-hour runtime creates a split experience: some find the contemplative, slower tempo essential to the film's emotional weight, while many others perceive it as boring, inert, and lacking narrative momentum. | |
| Originality | The film's reliance on existing tropes and its desire to serve as a direct sequel to the 1970s films is viewed by some as a respectful homage, but by others as a creative failure that results in a predictable, unoriginal story. |