The story picks up 5 years later after Superman disappeared after astronomers found remains of his Krytonian homeworld. Since then, we learn that Lois Lane has moved on, Lex Luthor has been freed and is continuing his villainous ways under the radar and the world has learned to get along without a Superman.

Welp, of course, this is proved wrong in no time short. There are daring rescues, more romantic flights, underhanded evil plots and fantastic Superman moments that look right out of the comic books. And new-comer Brandon Routh seems to be channeling the late, great Christopher Reeve's Clark Kent/Superman; in some parts it's down-right eerie. And Kevin Spacey does emulate Gene Hackman's Luthor also, but updated to seem influenced by Michael Rosenbaum's Smallville version.

And the rest of the cast are really good; Frank Langella's gruff but understated Perry White and Sam Huntington's new Jimmy Olsen is goofy and bubbling. Kate Bosworth is good, but she lacks some of the fire of the earlier Lois Lanes. I even liked the new characters of Richard White (James Marsden, Cyclops from The X-Men movies) and Jason (Tristan Lake Leabu) even though the latter had this weird Dakota Fanning-look going.

Oh, and for those that love trivia and stunt-casting, the sharp-eyed would have noticed Noel Neil (one of the original Lois Lanes from the Superman TV series) as Gertrude Vanderworth, Jack Larson (the original Superman TV series' Jimmy Olsen) as Bo the bartender, Sir Richard Branson as the Space Shuttle Commander, Peta Wilson (La Femme Nikita, LXG) as the Shuttle Press Liaison and of course, I hardly need to mention also the late, great Marlon Brando as Jor-El.

I of course loved the movie, saw it twice in less then 12 hours, in IMAX/3-D and then regular viewing. It's a worthy return though the movie's new elements really upset the current comic continuity. I will, of course, buy it on DVD. 5 out of 5 stars and I can't wait for the next one!

Till next time,
OGRE3K

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Galen's review