Superman Returns...

Superman Returns…

Yes, the movie event of the year is now just days away. Thankfully, with certain connections I have, I get to check out Superman Returns on Saturday, June 24^th at a special preview engagement. Can I wait? Of course I can’t.

My past week has been spent getting ready for the movie event of my life. I’ve been watching the movies (I just got through Superman 2 for like the hundredth time in my life, Superman 3 is up next) and I’m counting down the days to Super Tuesday (June 20^th) which will see a cadre of Superman DVD tie in releases, all of which come with passes for Superman Returns.

You know how Star Wars fans were lining up weeks in advance in anticipation of the next chapter of their beloved series? Superman is that to me.

Ever since I first was exposed to Superman (Superman IV: The Quest for Peace, sadly), I’ve been enamored with the last son of Krypton. Whether it’s because I want to fly like Superman or be a demi-god, helping people everyday with everything from the amazing to the mundane or just because of those red and blue tights, the entire mythos of Superman continues to transfix me.

It’s not just the movies. While I consider Superman: The Movie the film which I compare all comic book movies to, every facet of Superman in entertainment has kept me glued to the television.

Take Smallville, starring Tom Welling as Clark Kent before he gets the tights. I have continued to watch that show through thick and thin just because it deals with an interesting take on the Superman legend. Whether it be one of the first episodes, in which an old woman foretold to Clark that he would be somebody that people turned to for help or one of the more recent episodes where Clark becomes stuck in the Phantom Zone or interacting with characters like Aquaman the show has kept me hooked.

I still remember the glee (yes, the word glee immediately comes to mind) when I heard that ABC had a show called Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman all locked and ready to roll. After being allowed to stay up passed my bedtime to watch it, it became my favorite show on television. While the writing and wacky characters really don’t stand up today, the show broke new ground with the relationship of Clark and Lois. Those episodes still work. The moment that Lois finally figures out that Clark is actually Superman is awesome. The moment that Clark proposed was powerful. The show just worked. Not because it was particularly well written but because Superman, Clark Kent and Lois Lane are characters that are so important in the lexicon of entertainment that they transcend bad writing (well, most of the time).

Then there are the cartoon variations of Superman. From the Superman animated series to the Justice League, Superman has held his own on the animation front. With no special effects budget to hold him back, the character translates incredibly well into the medium and has earned him even more fans.

The entire process of getting ready for the new movie is driving Laura up the wall. Just for the record, no, she won't watch Superman 2 because I've bugged her too many times. She did, however respect the first movie, even if the effects were dated. It's getting to the point that if she hears me humming the Superman March one more time, I'm getting dumped in favor of a jock. Even she, though, is getting excited to finally see what Superman Returns is all about.

Superman Returns looks to be the culmination of years of fret and worry for the Superman fan. Finally, we have a director, Bryan Singer, who holds admiration for the character. Even better, he holds admiration for the first two Superman films, movies that were far ahead of their time.

As Superman Returns gets closer to release, I urge you to do some super homework and prepare to be blown away when Superman makes his triumphant return to the big screen and the hearts and souls of people everywhere.

While you might think I’m laughable for holding such an affinity for a character who wears red underwear, just take a step back and look at what Superman stands for – truth and justice – two ideals that will never be laughable.