 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Superman Returns
- Review Date: November 27, 2006
- PG-13
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- 2006
Common Sense Media says
Thrilling but violent, tense return for the Man of Steel.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that the movie features some violent images, beginning with the fiery crash of Superman's return vehicle, along with lots of explosions, earth-shakings, giant waves, and an especially harrowing sequence in which a plane almost crashes. There's an earthquake, a bank robbery, and a near-drowning. And lots of bloodless violence: The villain stabs Superman repeatedly, and in a long scene, Superman is kicked and beaten. Someone is crushed by a piano. Some younger kids could be upset by the fact that both mothers and sons are in jeopardy, and some scenes are very sad (Superman grieves for his lost father and his changed relationship with Lois; when he's in the hospital, people worry). Finally, it wouldn't be summer without smoking in a movie (every year it happens in kids' films...) -- Lois carries cigarettes; one scene in a bar shows beer drinking.
What's the story?
After a five-year absence, Superman returns to Earth. Lois Lane (Kate Bosworth) now lives with her fiancé, Richard White (James Marsden) and her young son. Paroled from prison, Lex Luthor (Kevin Spacey) starts an electromagnetic pulse that cripples a NASA plane, and Superman shows up just in time to save the frightened passengers (mostly reporters, including Lois). Before Superman travels to the Fortress of Solitude to commune with Jor-El (an archived Marlon Brando), Lex gets there, thrilled and renewed when he finds Jor-El for himself: "I'm his son," gasps Lex, as Jor-El starts dispensing wisdom: "The son becomes the father, the father, the son." To make space for his new self-concept, Lex decides to build his own continent, literally. Accompanied by his moll Kitty (Parker Posey), Lex combines crystals and kryptonite to grow a land mass to serve as his empire's base and to kill Superman. It's a brilliant scheme, nation-building a its most extreme, unnamed and insidious.
Is it any good?
Superman's return in Bryan Singer's film raises the question of why "we" need him. In a post-9/11 world, superheroes might seem idealistic and quaint concepts, even, as Lois has written in a Pulitzer Prize-winning article, "irrelevant." Singer pays loving homage to Richard Donner's 1978 Superman: The Movie. But this saddened, more experienced Superman has seen the aftermath of world destruction, and so comes with a perspective not quite so boldly idealistic or pompously ideological. Yes, he still means to save this world, but the triumph is less complete now, the costs more visible.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the importance of family connections and reconciliations, even following separations. They can also discuss how Superman faces his fear and vulnerability and still serves others generously.
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AGE
Excellent movie overall, specially for the Superman fans!!
Very nice movie with great graphics and followed very well from the old 2 movies. Brandon Routler looks exactly like the original Superman, and plays the exchange between Superman and Clark Kent quite well. Quite a bit of action and violence, including a plane full of people crashing to earth, but being saved by Superman. A little bit of swearing, but not much sexual issues as Superman was told in the 2nd movie that he cannot be with Lois. Kissing between Lois and her fiancee, but not passionate, mostly brief. It shows positive messages and role model as Superman is always saving the day. Superman persuades Lois not to smoke as its bad for her health.
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AGE
low moving, lacking the fun of the earlier movies.
Superman Returns was dissapointment to me. I was expected a supurb movie. Instead i got your every day averige flick. It not to great.
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AGE
PG
stupid stupid crappy crappy movie that sucked sucked
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Kid, 12 years old
January 16, 2011
AGE
Superman comes back with a brand new look.
A magnificent comeback for the man of steel. A true classic that is better than most of its predeccessors. (Superman III, Superman IV and Supergirl).
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AGE
Pretty good movie... except that it was hard to get into without knowing what had happened in the past, and it seemed to end abruptly.
A couple of scenes were a little scary, nothing too bad though.
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AGE
pure garbage
dumb plot....bad dialogue....cheesey fights....pure garbage!
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AGE
Mediocre Superhero Film That Is Okay for kids 8 and over
This superhero movie was not as good as I expected it too be much better. The contant is acceptable for children 8 and under and should have been rated PG. Not much too worry about, except for a few sequences of violence, and a few minor curse words that wasn't much. Stick with "X-Men: The Last Stand" if you are searching for a superhero film to see, but if you see this it is ok for kids 8 and up.
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Kid, 12 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
awesome
A lot of action. It was awesome.
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| Topics: | superheroes |
| Studio: | Warner Bros. |
| Director: | Bryan Singer |
| Cast: | Brandon Routh, Kate Bosworth, Kevin Spacey |
| Genre: | Action/Adventure |
| Run time: | 154 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | June 28, 2006 |
| DVD release date: | November 28, 2006 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | some intense action violence |
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