Superhero battle at the box office

The summer of 2006 is set to be a battle of the superhero titans at the multiplex. A group of exceptional beings will face off against a mild mannered reporter for outright reign at the box office. "X-Men: The Last Stand" which finds Wolverine, Storm and the rest of the mutants fighting for their rights, will go up against some heavy competition from "Superman Returns," where the Man of Steel returns to the big screen for the first time in almost 20 years. Both films will premiere with tremendous anticipation and pressure from an eager, loyal group of fans. "'Superman Returns' will be huge," Bill Ramey, editor in chief of Batman-On-Film.com said. "There is lots of pressure though, mainly due to the fact that many consider 'Superman: The Movie' the greatest comic book film of all time." Ramey said the fan buzz for "Superman Returns" is really positive, while "X-Men: The Last Stand" is garnering some negative reactions from fans. Much of this can be attributed to having a new director at the helm. "Rush Hour" director Brett Ratner is behind the camera for this chapter of the mutant saga, replacing Bryan Singer, who left the X-Men films, ironically to shoot "Superman Returns." Even though Internet fan reactions have been primarily positive for "Superman Returns," some movie fans at SUNY Rockland Community College won't be lining up to catch the return of DC Comic's biggest character. "I have no desire to see the new Superman movie," said Chris Waters, 21, liberal arts major. "I don't like the kid they cast for it." The casting of 26-year-old Brandon Routh as Clark Kent/Superman is a controversial topic amongst comic book fans. Some contend that casting an unknown actor in this role is the best course of action, as was the case when the late Christopher Reeve was cast in the role in 1977. "I agree with Singer in casting an unknown, it really is the only way to go for that role," Ramey said. "From what I've heard, Routh is going to be outstanding in the film." While "Superman Returns" biggest hurdle might be judging a newcomer in such a big role, "X-Men: The Last Stand" has the pressure of living up to the two previous X-Men films, which critics praised heavily. Fans seem eager to catch the newest adventure of Marvel Comic's most famous team of superheroes. "The 'X-Men' movies are awesome," said Eric Horvitz, 18. Horvitz said "X-Men: The Last Stand" will be good if it is, "true to the original, the ideas of the source material." Waters echoed Horvitz's feelings. "I think this movie will capture more of what X-Men is really about," he said. "Plus new characters that were important to the comic book plot are introduced, for example Beast." Beast is just one of many new characters to join the X-Men film franchise along with Angel, Juggernaut and Kitty Pride. "X-Men: The Last Stand" centers around a "cure" for mutancy and how each side of the mutant saga deals with this latest development. Expect Professor Charles Xavier's X-Men and Magneto's Brotherhood of Evil Mutants to take stands against this "cure" in very different ways on May 26. "Superman Returns" follows the Man of Steel's return to earth after an absence of several years. While Lex Luthor works to render him powerless once and for all, Superman faces the heartbreaking realization that the woman he loves, Lois Lane, has moved on with her life. With an all-star cast surrounding Routh, which includes Kevin Spacey, Kate Bosworth and Marlon Brando, through the use of archive footage not previously used. "Superman Returns" looks to be Superman's triumphant come back to the big screen on June 30. Much in the same way "Batman Begins" was for the Dark Knight last year. So whether you are an X-Men or Superman fan, this summer promises something special at the box office and according to one fan may just be the tip of the iceberg. "I think comic book films will only get better and better," Ramey said. "You have the technology now to do things that were impossible before. Plus, it seems that the studios have figured out that you have to make these films really good and if you do, the audience will turn out."