Review Detail

Superman Returns brings us an inspirational story of human triumph . . . even by the Superhuman. Superman has powers that we humans will never have but when Lex Luthor finds a way to make Superman unknowingly fight him on a Kryptonian surface, we find that Superman is just as strong on the inside and with his moral choices as he is on the outside.

Many parents loved the Christopher Reeve Superman movies as kids, even as little kids, but I’d give this more of a PG-9 or -10 rating. The special effects are so phenomenal that the tragedies that Superman works to avert are so very, very real, your child may be truly frightened on his next plane or ship ride. Also, Lex Luthor and his buddies beat Superman up pretty bad – it’s tough to watch but you could use the opportunity to explain about bullies. The 2 ½ hour story is more about the now complex, layered relationship between Superman and Lois Lane than it is about saving the world, so it will be hard for littler ones to stay captivated. Lastly, if the Christian symbolism in The Chronicles of Narnia was exciting to you, Holy Caesar’s Ghost, it’s all over Superman Returns . . . some references subtle, some glaring (um, Superman = Jesus if you’re not clear). For kids 9 and older.