My Morning With Superman Returns

Today was a good day.

It’s always hard to be anticipating something so much you start to lose sense of who you truly are. Somehow, the hype for Superman Returns got out of hand with me. I’ve always been a fan of the character but the extreme lengths I went to defy even myself.

The following is an account of how I spent the morning with Superman Returns.

5:30am – I awoke exclaiming “Happy Superman Returns Day” to Laura. I’ve officially lost it at this point.

6:10am – Ready to leave for Victoria for the sneak preview. My philosophy? It’s never to early to get good seats for a movie you’ve been waiting 24 years to see. Annoyed that Laura is not yet ready but I restrain nagging as I want this to be a great day. It’s Superman Returns Day, after all.

6:30am – Leave the house for Victoria.

6:33am – Drive thru at Tim Hortons (even Superman fans need a herb and garlic cream cheese bagel to start the day).

6:40am – Damn that drive thru service was slow. Finally on the road to Superman Returns.

6:42am – Laura complains that she is tired. Jake ignores her.

6:47am – Laura once again complains that she is tired. Jake responds that she shouldn’t have been out so late last night.

7:45am – We roll into the parking lot at the Famous Player Silver City. There is one person is line and it’s good old Jason Whyte, saving a spot at the front of the line for us. We exchange pleasantries but I can hardly concentrate as we’re at the building where Superman is going to return.

8:00am – Rob Shaw and his friend Laura (Rob likes to follow my lead, what can I say) show up. Rob is the holder of the magical Superman Returns passes. I hold them in my hands. They tremble.

8:01am – Laura (mine) and Rob make fun of my Superman devotion. Rob sort of sticks up for me but then realizes he might look like a loser if he does this and joins Laura in making fun of me.

8:15am – The subject of Lost comes up and what a good show it is. Rob mentions that Smallville is also a good who. He obviously learned nothing from 14 minutes prior. We all laugh.

8:20am – Somebody shows up wearing a Supergirl outfit. Sadly, Jake knows this person as he gave her passes to the screening.

8:50am – The theatre opens up and we’re the 3^rd through 6^th people into the theatre (Jason was first, naturally) and we take up the patented aisle seat that Jake has become accustomed too.

8:51am – Jake asks what time it is.

8:52am – Jake asks again what time it is.

8:53am – Jake goes to the bathroom so he doesn’t have to go during Superman’s return.

8:57am – Jake asks what time it is.

9:24am – Jake goes once more to the bathroom, just to be, you know, sure.

9:30am – Ron Larsen, from 100.3 The Q, who used to work at The Wave / Wolf, gives prizes away to people that aren’t named Jake. Supergirl wins a prize. Jake mentally notes that he must collect that prize from her as he gave her the ticket and thus, is owed the prize.

9:35am – Superman Returns with the Warner Bros. logo. It’s not the right aspect ratio and Jake almost has a heart attack of anger. Laura, Rob and Laura fail to see what is wrong.

9:35:45am – The aspect ratio is fixed by the time the Legendary pictures logo comes up.

9:36am - There is some text explaining where Superman has gone. Suddenly, Marlon Brando’s voice is heard and goosebumps start to form.

9:37am – The Superman March starts up COMPLETE with retro Superman: The Movie style credits and it’s over, I’m in love with the movie. That simple gesture ensured that I will forever be a fan of this movie.

10:25am – Superman saves a plane from crashing. Lois is one of the passengers on the plane. Superman recites the exact same line from Superman: The Movie about flying still being the safest way to travel. Jake loses it once again.

12:00pm – Superman flies into the camera with the Earth in the background (another great nod to the Christopher Reeve film) and the Superman March is playing as the credits roll.

12:01pm – Check in with Laura, Jason, Rob and Laura. The reaction? Everybody loves Superman Returns!

Only thing now left to do? Go and watch it a couple of more times during opening week!

Go out and see Superman Returns. It’s full of action, drama, romance, comedy and everything else you’d want from a superhero movie. Don’t question a man who wears red and blue tights, just enjoy it!