Superman Returns/YMMV

"The big inspiration for Superman Returns is when Superman and Lois had sex, what if he got her pregnant? Thus the need for him to be gone five years so that he could return to discover he has a son. That also means that, clearly, Superman left before he knew Lois was pregnant, we can assume he left shortly after Superman II. Really shortly. He's Superman. He would be able to see Lois was pregnant very early on with his vision. Lets say he leaves… two months after the end of Superman II. So in Superman II he painfully learns that he must put the needs of Earth ahead of his own personal desires. He apologizes to the President for being away so long (we was gone maybe a week or two) and that he won't let him down again. Then two months later he leaves Earth without telling anyone on a personal five year long wild goose chase. He also leaves without covering his bases. He doesn't secure the dangerous tech in his Fortress of Solitude. He doesn't make sure his departure won't result in Lex Luthor's release from jail. He doesn't even apparently warn the President he's leaving. His actions fly in the face of everything he learned in Superman II and everything he swore to do. Dumb as a bag of hammers."
 * Big Lipped Alligator Moment: The dogs that ate each other. Seriously, what was that about?
 * Boring Invincible Hero: When a bullet to the eye didn't even phase Superman, it's quite obvious that any incoming threat would be extraterrestrial.
 * Complete Monster: Lex Luthor goes from the scene-stealing madman Gene Hackman played to a seriously depraved sociopath with no qualms about hurting anyone around him and who couldn't be more indifferent to the billions his plans will kill, played by Kevin Spacey.
 * In the first movie, he technically wasn't much different. His plan in that film wouldn't have caused billions of deaths, but it would have caused the deaths of tens, if not hundreds of millions, for much the same reason- fun and real estate profit. It's the first film where Lex admits he gets his jollies from "causing the deaths of innocent people". The tone of the film (and The Other Darrin, of course) is the only thing that makes them seem like marginally different characters.
 * Cute Shotaro Boy / Innocent Prodigy / The Woobie / Littlest Cancer Patient / Ill Girl: Jason
 * Ham and Cheese: Lex was easily the best part of the movie.
 * Memetic Mutation: "WRONG!"
 * So Okay It's Average: Not counting the awesome moments here and there, the overall film was received as this at best.
 * Stalking Is Love: Superman overhears Lois' address and flies to her house, watching her and her family while hidden outside, using his X-ray vision. He later X-ray-stares at her as she walks out of the office, and flies her above the city for no reason other than to show off and demonstrate that his flying is better than her fiancé's.
 * Visual Effects of Awesome: The Film had budget of $250 Million and every cent can be seen on the screen. From the beautiful opening titles to Superman's incredible rescue of a jet to Superman having a bullet bounce harmlessly off his eye, every scene shines with a quality that shows how much Singer cared. Special mention must go to the scene where Superman lifts an entire island with shards of Kryptonite mere millimetres from his face. The effects are unanimously stunning. Which only makes the shoestring budget of Superman IV all the more hilarious in comparison.
 * What an Idiot!: Thom Holbrook wrote an essay pointing out that Superman is dumber than a bag of hammers in Returns.


 * WTH? Casting Agency: To be fair, Brandon Routh is fairly convincing as Clark Kent. As Superman however... not so much. He looks like Christopher Reeve's Superman if he was younger than he was in movies 1 and 2.