--- title: "Superman Returns: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/superman-returns/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/superman-returns" critics_score: 66 critics_reviews: 12 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Superman Returns (2006): what the critics said Critics' score 66 from 12 reviews: 7 positive, 3 mixed, 2 negative. Most critics come down in favour, and the praise clusters on Brandon Routh. He is credited with carrying an implausible plot through charm, with a sincere and convincing Superman, and with a resemblance to Christopher Reeve that helps the film recapture the spark of the first two. Several reviews also admire how the film looks, and the warmer ones find real heartache in its romantic conflict and a respect for the character in Bryan Singer’s direction. The reservations gather around tone and feeling. The dissenters find it too long, too serious and increasingly mawkish, or polished but hollow, with characters too abstract to care about. The New Yorker goes furthest, calling it dull, its hero cold and its Lex Luthor uninteresting; The Guardian enjoys Kevin Spacey’s malevolence but misses any lightness or humour. The spread is wide, and the latest review, from Collider, argues the film holds up better than those first notices suggest. ## Empire — Ian Nathan Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 10 July 2006. Nathan gives the film an enthusiastic verdict, calling it a soaring, emotionally rich addition to the Superman pantheon. He especially praises its heartache and romantic emotional conflict, while also applauding the spectacle. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/superman-returns-review/) ## Variety — Todd McCarthy Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 18 June 2006. The critic gives the film an enthusiastic verdict, calling it a grand and emotionally engaging superhero saga. He singles out its visual beauty and Brandon Routh’s effortless, appealing performance. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2006/film/awards/superman-returns-2-1200515435/) ## Radio Times — Stella Papamichael Rating 4/5. Papamichael finds the film entertaining, with Brandon Routh carrying its implausible plot through sheer charm. She also praises its nostalgic approach to the original franchise. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-iwk3ey/superman-returns/) ## RogerEbert.com — Roger Ebert Rating 3/4. 27 June 2006. Ebert gives the film a positive but not wholehearted verdict. He praises Brandon Routh’s portrayal of Superman while finding the film short of greatness. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/superman-returns-2006) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Kirk Honeycutt Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 19 June 2006. Honeycutt finds the film largely successful, balancing an emotionally grounded hero with spectacular superhero action. He particularly praises Brandon Routh’s sincere, convincing performance as Superman. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/superman-returns-review-brandon-routh-bryan-singer-movie-1236308924/) ## Screen Daily — Mike Goodridge Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 19 June 2006. The page identifies this as a review, but its verdict is unavailable in the accessible text. No specific praise or complaint can be confirmed. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/superman-returns/4027703.article) ## Time Out — Ben Walters Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). The page identifies this as a review, but the critic’s verdict is not visible. The available text offers no specific praise or complaint. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/superman-returns) ## Slant Magazine — Keith Uhlich Rating 2/4. 24 June 2006. The critic finds the film polished but emotionally hollow, neither thrilling nor offensive. He faults its abstract characters and themes, while singling out its visual beauty and a striking reverse-motion shot. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/superman-returns/) ## The Guardian — Rob Mackie Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). 1 December 2006. Mackie finds the film overly serious, too long, and increasingly mawkish, despite its emotional approach. He singles out Kevin Spacey’s enjoyably malevolent Lex Luthor, while lamenting the film’s lack of lightness and humour. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2006/dec/01/dvdreviews.actionandadventure) ## The New Yorker — Anthony Lane Fi1m's normalised score 25/100 (inferred from the text). 25 June 2006. Lane finds the film dull and constrained, ultimately arguing that its superhero leaves him cold. He singles out the shallow characterization, especially Lex Luthor, whose performance and elaborate wardrobe cannot make the character interesting. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2006/07/03/kryptology) ## Eye for Film — Jennie Kermode Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 12 July 2006. Kermode finds the film intelligent, gripping, and highly successful overall, despite its faltering emotional resolution near the end. She especially praises Brandon Routh’s performance and the inventive action sequences’ attention to physical detail. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/superman-returns-film-review-by-jennie-kermode) ## Collider — Rob Vaux Fi1m's normalised score 72/100 (inferred from the text). 8 June 2011. Vaux says Superman Returns holds up better than its critics suggest and succeeds in recapturing the spark of the first two films. He praises Brandon Routh’s resemblance to Christopher Reeve and Bryan Singer’s blend of exciting set pieces and respect for the character. [Read the review](https://collider.com/superman-motion-picture-anthology-blu-ray-review/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/superman-returns.md