Parents Television Council Reviews

PTC reviews aim to provide you with advance information about an entertainment offering so that you can be the final arbiter of what you and your family see.

Superman Returns

By Michelle Curtis

Release Date: June 28, 2006

Starring: Brandon Routh, Kate Bosworth, Kevin Spacey

Genre: Superhero Action/ Adventure

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some intense action violence

Age Recommendation: 16+

Superman Returns starring Brandon Routh, Kate Bosworth and Kevin Spacey, is the long-awaited sequel to the Superman story and does justice to the legacy of the Man of Steel.  While extremely well made and acted, Superman Returns contains intense action and violence and therefore is not recommended for children under the age of 16, or those easily frightened.

Superman Returns picks up where Superman II left off.  After a mysterious five year absence Superman/Clark Kent (Brandon Routh) returns to Earth to find that the world needs him more than ever.  His absence has left doubts and he must earn back the trust of those that loved him most, including the love of his life, Lois Lane (Kate Bosworth).  Lois has seemingly moved on since his disappearance, now engaged with a son, she has even won a Pulitzer Prize for her article "Why the World Doesn't Need Superman."  Superman's arch nemesis, Lex Luthor (Kevin Spacey) has also moved on – and out – of prison and is in the final stages of implementing his newest fiendish plan to take over the world.  Once again it's up to Superman to save the day.

Superman Returns contains a considerable amount of violence, some of which is gratuitous and upsetting.  A few of the most intense instances include Superman, weakened by Kryptonite, being beaten and stabbed by Lex Luthor and his thugs and  Lois Lane being roughed up by a henchman after she and her son are kidnapped.  Other instances of violence include: a near plane crash in which Lois is repeatedly thrown around the cabin, and criminals using a chain gun while robbing a bank.  The film also depicts the natural death of an elderly woman. 

While Superman Returns is a very violent film, it is almost completely devoid of foul language and sexual content.  The two instances of foul language are Kitty Kowalski, Luthor's sidekick, saying "friggin" and a police officer beginning to say the s-word, only to be cut off.  The only sexual content in the film is a mention of an article Lois Lane wrote entitled "I Spent the Night with Superman".   Her status as an unwed mother is also emphasized. 

Overall, Superman Returns is an excellently produced film that earns its PG-13 rating.  Parents and guardians should think twice about bringing children under the age of 16 or who are easily frightened.

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