The other night I was flipping through the many channels my cable television provider funnels into my house for an ungodly monthly fee and I came accross Superman Returns
on FX. While this latest installment of the Superman series came out way back in 2006, I had never had a chance to see it. In fact, I had forgotten about it. So I was pretty surprised and stoked to stumble across it on TV.

I have to say…I was very, very impressed. I really liked how they stuck with the character portrayals and “feel” of the Reeve-era Superman movies. And Brandon Routh knocked it out of the park. He must have spent hours watching Reeve’s performances from the 80’s Superman movies, because he was right on the money with every little awkward Clark Kent glasses adjustment and every steely eyed Superman gaze.

I would have to say – and this surprises me – that I thought the weakest link in the chain was Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor. In some ways casting Spacey as Lex seems like an obvious choice, but on the other hand…maybe it’s too obvious. I don’t want to go so far as to say his performance sucked, because it didn’t, but it just wasn’t all there I don’t think…at least not at the level I would expect it to be from Spacey. Sure, Kate Bosworth as Lois Lane was a bit dull, but I expect more from Spacey. Meh…maybe I’m just being nit picky!

All in all though, I was very pleased with the flick and regret that I never saw it in theaters. I will certainly have to be sure to go see the NEW Superman movie slated for 2011!