3D 'Superman Returns' review

Chris Tilly dons silly specs and watches Superman in all his 3D glory at the bfi London IMAX.

Jul 10 2006

I attended a special screening of the IMAX 3D presentation of 'Superman Returns' at the weekend, and am pleased to report that the results were impressive.

Only 20 minutes of the film actually take place in 3D, but the effects range from commendable to downright spectacular.

The first three-dimensional scene occurs about 10 minutes into the pic when Superman, having returned to earth after a mysterious absence of several years, reflects on his past.

The 'glasses on' signal then flashes for audience benefit, while the huge IMAX screen fills with thrilling 3D images of a young Clark Kent experimenting with his new found powers on the Kent farm.

The next occasion involves Superman's spectacular mid-air rescue of Lois Lane, and it's very much the 'money shot' of the movie.

As the Man of Steel attempts to prevent a plane crash, the camera swoops through the air, debris flies by and those around me were ducking for cover and thrusting their hands in front of their faces for protection.

With a grandstanding finale, it's an incredible, effects-laden sequence that is by far the greatest action scene of the year.

There are two further periods of 3D action, though to avoid spoilers, I won't describe them here. Suffice to say, neither lives up to the aforementioned mid-air rescue.

And what of the film itself? Well our official Time Out review will go online tomorrow, but in my opinion it's a superior entry into the 'Superman' canon.

A worthy successor to the Richard Donner and Richard Lester 1970s originals, director Bryan Singer's decision to concentrate on Superman's personal trials and tribulations raises the film above the usual mindless summer fare.

You really feel for the Man of Steel as he re-adjusts to life back on earth and re-considers his feelings for Lois, so much so that when the villainous Lex Luthor appears intent on world domination, it's hard to care what he is up to.

Brandon Routh excels as both Clark and Superman, mainlining Christopher Reeve's performance in eerie fashion; Kevin Spacey plays Lex Luthor with demented relish, and Kate Bosworth does a passable Lois Lane, though she lacks Margot Kidder's humour and feisty fortitude.

As with pretty much every big film of the year thus far, it outstays its welcome by a good half hour, but it's nice to see a summer blockbuster with this much heart and soul, and the addition of those 3D sequences make it quite simply unmissable!

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