Reviving the Superman film franchise while "Smallville" is on television and Christopher Reeve’s death is still fresh isn’t the best idea in the world.

But "Superman Returns" manages the feat nicely. Credit Director Bryan Singer with coming up with a reason to welcome another visit.

Back from a trip to his home planet, Superman (Brandon Routh) discovers a different Metropolis. Lois Lane (Kate Bosworth) has a child and a steady boyfriend (James Marsden), Lex Luthor (Kevin Spacey) is still eager to torment his detractors and Perry White (Frank Langella) is interested in printing a newspaper that’s less Superman-friendly than it used to be.

Heck, Lois even won a Pulitzer Prize for an editorial, "Why the world doesn’t need Superman." She’s a bit jaded, too, ("I was practically his press agent," she grouses) and more than a little hurt when he shows up without much of an explanation. The kid — a boy who looks just like, well, you decide — has a pull that’s hard to deny, too. Still, Lois isn’t afraid to don her cynic’s cloak while Superman has everyone else wrapped in his rubberized red cape.

The film features plenty of rescue attempts and more than a little trouble for Metropolis. But it’s the showdown between Superman and Lex that drives the sometimes extracted storyline. Luthor (deliciously played by Spacey) gets his hands on Kryptonite and decides to use it to paralyze — or even kill — his arch-enemy. Building his own world is important, too, but first he has to deal with some bumbling goons, a ditzy girlfriend (Parker Posey) and a prying Lois.

Holding court on a huge ship, Lex has a plan that’s not only diabolical it’s also profitable. Supe, meanwhile, has to figure out how to get in Lois’ good graces, stop Lex and get his home fires burning again. He uses his X-ray vision to good effect, lifts just about everything and flies with the ease of a Cirque du Soleil acrobat. Routh manages everything well. Fans say he looks a lot like Reeve, but if you look closely you’ll see a closer resemblance to Ken Wahl or Scott Baio. He’s fun as Clark Kent, reassuring as Superman. He fills out that new suit, too, and has a gracefulness that suggests emotion. The curl, though, has got to go.

Bosworth is a harder nut to crack. She looks like Keri Russell (who would have been a more accessible Lois), acts like Jacinda Barrett. She’s not the perfect choice, just an economic one. More interesting? Giving her a love interest who’s the boss’ nephew and a likable alternative to Superman. Richard White isn’t a far cry from the role Marsden played in "The Notebook," but that’s giving this film too much shorthand.

Singer has done a fine job of tweaking an aging property and giving it new curb appeal. He plays plenty of homage to the Reeve series (using Marlon Brando’s face and voice as Jor-El in this one) and gives two earlier "Superman" stars cameos. He even borrows John Williams’ sweeping theme.

But Singer doesn’t shy away from the obvious Jesus parallels. He gives Superman more than a few "Passion of the Christ" moments and has Routh posing in ways most Christians would recognize. The take is subtle, but noted.

Despite its length (this version could have lost 30 minutes and not suffered), "Superman Returns" makes us interested in seeing the Man of Steel once again. It has clever bits that play with the mythology and a whole new set of problems that could be addressed in two or three sequels. It’s not a "Batman Begins" retelling. It’s a Bryan Singer selection. Considering he’s the man behind "The X-Men," that’s significant.

Superman has more staying power than Wolverine, Storm and Cyclops combined.

Rated PG-13, "Superman Returns" features violence and some adult talk.

On a scale of four stars, "Superman Returns" gets:

3 1/2 stars