But no matter where you get to see it, this kind of movie is always fun to watch. It's impossible not to love a flawless, handsome guy who saves the world from catastrophe and evil deeds. So first, a few words on the film.

Brandon Routh plays the hero well and is even better in his human incarnation, as the gentle reporter Clark Kent, who everyone can identify with.

Clark is still in love with Lois Lane (Kate Bosworth), a journalist who, despite writing the Pulitzer Prize winning "Why the World No Longer Needs Superman" also misses the superhero.

Superman - in the form of Richard Donner's movie and Christopher Reeve's brilliant portrayal -deserted us for 28 years. Ryan Singer has bravely brought him back.

But why should we care about him at all? After all we have Batman, Spiderman and even Catwoman, among a host of other superhuman heroes.

Yet like Lois, we haven't been able to completely forget the man of steel. The movie builds a case for why we still need Superman (he's been away for five years in the story) and starts with Clark Kent rebuilding his relationship with Lois Lane.

Lois has a new love interest, Richard White (James Marsden of "X-Men"), but that's not going to stop Clark from butting in.

There are also plenty of laughs as Clark Kent revisits Earth after a long absence. As a reporter, some of the press jokes had me chuckling to myself.

For those of you intending to watch the movie in 3D IMAX, be warned: it's more realistic than mind-blowing.

The scenes of our hero flying around the skies saving all and sundry are surprisingly disappointing, with the Routh too small on the screen to have much impact.

And when he holds up an aeroplane he's a mere speck, making him appear much less powerful than he actually is.

The simpler moments work better with the 3D. One of these is a flashback to Superman's childhood and the realisation that he was able to fly. As he's falling to the ground you get the feeling he'll land in your lap.

While Clark Kent is handsome in a preppy way, there are so many close-ups of the new hero that

in 3D he almost becomes intimidating. You may find yourself reaching for the breath mints.

Some of the scenes - probably the ones filmed with 3D technology in mind - are terrific, as is the trailer, which has you ducking as the meteorite shower falls seemingly straight onto the audience.

Lisnaree Vichitsorasatra

The Nation