Mild-mannered Clark Kent works as a reporter at the Daily Planet alongside his crush, Lois Lane. Clark must summon his superhero alter-ego when the nefarious Lex Luthor launches a plan to take over the world.
By keeping the spectacular possibilities open, through the opening scenes of the destruction of Krypton, and the subsequent growth to manhood of the planet's only son on the plains of the Midwest, the film allows naivete and knowingness to coexist.
– Geoff Andrew,
Time Out,
24 Jun 2006
rotten:
The film is best when it takes itself seriously, worst when it takes the easy way out in giggly camp -- as it does, finally and fatally, when Lex Luthor enters the action.
– Dave Kehr,
Chicago Reader,
17 Apr 2007
fresh:
It's the simple, earth-bound quality of the film that makes this comic-book fantasy soar.
– Judith Martin,
Washington Post,
14 Jul 2010
rotten:
Superman doesn't have enough conviction or courage to be solidly square and dumb; it keeps pushing smarmy big emotions at us -- but half-heartedly.