Want to know the best thing about “Superman Returns”?

It’s that feeling of eager anticipation that peaks right when then the lights go down and you’re so excited you can’t sit still. Then the movie begins in the same way the franchise always has: In outer space the camera presses forward as John Williams’ rumbling music slowly builds to its familiar crescendo, leaving you with a smile so big you’d be embarrassed if anyone actually saw you. Goosebumps immediately set in, and in case there was any doubt, Superman has indeed returned.

It’s a good thing he’s back, too, because Lex Luthor (Kevin Spacey) has gone to the Fortress of Solitude in the Arctic and tricked Superman’s father, Jor-El (Marlon Brando, in footage shot for the 1978 original movie) into teaching him how to harness the power of the secret crystals for his own gain. Luthor’s plan is to use the crystals to build a new civilization; it’s a good thing the crystals do all the work, because he gets little help from his entourage, which includes the frantic Kitty Kowalski (Parker Posey).

And where has the Man of Steel been all this time? According to Michael Dougherty and Dan Harris’ script, astronomers discovered faint signs of life on his home planet of Krypton, and he went to see if his family was still alive. (In reality, we know he’s been gone because the last movie, “Superman IV: The Quest for Peace,” made a scant $15 million when released in 1987, a clear indication that the franchise had fizzled.)

Predictably, Superman’s (Brandon Routh) absence has caused quite a rift between he and Lois Lane (Kate Bosworth), his alter ego Clark Kent’s colleague at the “Daily Planet” newspaper. In fact, she’s so miffed that Superman left “without even saying goodbye” that she wrote an editorial entitled “Why the World Doesn’t Need Superman,” for which she won a Pulitzer Prize. She also has a son, Jason (Tristan Lake Leabu), and is engaged to Richard White (James Marsden), the nephew of her boss, Perry (Frank Langella).

Plot points aside, the movie is an exciting, action-packed piece of pop phenomena that is sure to appeal to loyalists and newcomers alike. Director Bryan Singer’s (“X2: X-Men United”) action scenes are remarkable and exhilarating, and take us from the depths of the Atlantic Ocean to the far reaches of outer space and everywhere in between. Note in particular the spectacular airplane sequence that nearly takes Lois into outer space, the saving of Metropolis from incineration, and the finale, which is an extended exercise in heroism, bravery and really, really cool visual effects.

As for Superman/Clark Kent, Routh is perfectly understated and humble, and even faintly resembles the late Christopher Reeve. His performance is the exact opposite of Spacey’s, who is so over the top that it almost makes you forget how good Gene Hackman was during the first four movies. Bosworth, on the other hand, is never quite convincing as Lois Lane — she’s too young and inexperienced as an actress to pull off the grizzled veteran that Lois is supposed to be.

As much of a joyful ride on Superman’s back as it is, it’s still a little too long (it runs nearly 150 minutes) for its own good. We shouldn’t have to see the plane malfunction twice before Superman gets there, and we certainly don’t need to see Superman learning to use his powers while still a teenager. If we’re accepting the fact that he’s returning and are eager to see him, material that was covered in Richard Donner’s original is hardly necessary.

And it is for this reason — that the film should be trimmed by about 20 minutes — that Superman just slightly overstays his welcome on an otherwise triumphant return.

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