Superman: The Soul of Big Blue is Back
A comic book brought to life! The new DCU is off to a strong start.
Superman is a comic book brought to life! James Gunn doesn’t shy away from his signature flair and it works incredibly well. All of the flash, action, and adrenaline you’d expect from a superhero film is present and exceptionally well-balanced with the most grounded, relatable Clark Kent ever portrayed on the big screen.
Our new Superman isn’t perfect, dark, or melodramatic. He is vulnerable, grounded, and compassionate. Gunn understands the source material and the result is the best Superman movie since Christopher Reeve graced us with his presence back in 1978. David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, and Nicholas Hoult are casting home-runs and their chemistry oozes through the screen.
The new DCU has finally found its footing and I can confidently say with the success of Peacemaker and now Superman, the future is looking bright!
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Empathy is a Superpower
After years of cynical and dark superhero stories, James Gunn’s Superman returns to the themes and messages that embody the true spirit of the genre. Superman loses battles, struggles with his identity, and doesn’t see himself as a savior.
Corenswet really shines in the film’s most personal moments and the result is a Superman that feels authentic, yet fresh and relevant. Like most Superman stories, the central theme of this movie is Clark Kent’s struggle to find purpose in a world that actively dismisses him as alien. As he struggles with the complications of his legacy, Kent is also at odds with the evil Lex Luthor and is juggling his passionate but intricate relationship with Lois Lane.
“I'm as human as anyone. I love, I get scared. I wake up every morning and despite not knowing what to do, I put one foot in front of the other and I try to make the best choices I can. I screw up all the time, but that is being human and that's my greatest strength.” - Superman to Lois Lane
Rather than dismiss these internal struggles, Superman goes on a journey to save Metropolis all while confronting his shortcomings. Gunn understands it is this vulnerability that makes the character special.
Gunn’s Superman has the strength and fortitude you’ve come to expect, but teaches us that the most important superpower is when you lift others up rather than serve yourself. This is a welcome and necessary return to Superman’s true heritage after Zack Snyder’s dark stories with a futile attempt for character growth.
That is not to say the old way is the wrong way, but when the goal is to reboot an entire intellectual property, this version of Superman offers a far more interesting and relatable dynamic.
The story is hopeful and Superman’s journey ultimately reminds us that it is important to be an empathetic person. As the DCU expands, these morals will likely come to a head with Batman and other Justice League members to create compelling conflict. Gunn has written the ideal Superman for the moment.
A Casting Homerun
Superman has a runtime of 2 hours and 9 minutes and it genuinely flies by. This results in quite a few scenes that I wish had more screen time. Most of these moments are a testament to the film’s excellent casting and their on-screen chemistry.
I’ll start with the scene where Clark shares a moment with his dad outside their farm house. Man, did I want to stay here a little longer. The vulnerability in Superman’s voice is brought out by the comfort of Johnathan Kent. It made for a very touching moment.
It is here you see the physical embodiment of Clark’s monologue to Lois and it was deeply moving. I don’t think we’ve seen a Superman this self-aware and it goes a long way. Johnathan and Martha Kent come across as humble, but worldly. It is rewarding to see where Superman’s ideology originates.
Nicholas Hoult may be the best Lex Luthor I have ever seen. He’s the definition of a scene stealer! Too many comic book films create arbitrary villains that we have to just accept as evil with little cause. Not here. Not under this director. Gunn goes out of his way to emphasize Luthor’s villainy.
Whether it be through the vicious cold-blooded murder of innocent people, the kidnapping and torturing of a dog, or calculated monologues aimed at the movie’s protagonists, Gunn writes Lex Luthor’s immorality to be something you can’t get enough of despite your distain for him.
I walked out the theater dying for more Lex because of how well he brought out the Clark “Kentness” of Corenswet’s Superman. The two worked harmoniously in their own polar opposite ways.
Speaking of actors having an obvious rapport, this review wouldn’t be complete without mention of Clark Kent and Lois Lane’s budding relationship. Like the scene pictured above, each time Corenswet and Brosnahan are on screen together, fireworks (or dimensional imps?) light up the sky.
Their love and energy is infectious and beautiful, but they also aren’t afraid to be real with one another. This sincerity makes the bond of two extraordinary people feel visceral, human, and dare I say, ordinary.
There is no doubt these two will be the faces of the DCU for years to come and it warms my heart that we will have such a relatable love story to keep coming back to.
Final Thoughts
James Gunn’s Superman is a thrilling retelling of a classic superhero story that embodies all of the cheesy humor, uplifting themes, and heavy action sequences reminiscent of comic books of the past. Actors with palpable on-screen chemistry complement a well-written, sometimes busy, screenplay that tells a moving story extremely relevant to the times.
After years of directionless leadership, the new DCU has finally found its footing. Gunn’s savvy casting signifies a bold, but unified creative direction moving forward.
Most importantly, Superman teaches us to lead with kindness and empathy. A thesis the entire world could use a little dose of right about now.
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Andor is Star Wars At Its Very Best
Lucasfilm’s second and final season of Andor cements itself as one of the best Star Wars projects ever made and one of the most important pieces of science fiction media produced in the last decade.
Captain America: Brave New World Is a Mixed Bag
Captain America: Brave New World succeeds when Harrison Ford and Carl Lumbly are on screen and disappoints when they’re not. Ford’s performance is so strong that it almost feels out of place with the rest of the film.
What I am watching, listening, and reading this week.
The Life of Chuck
The Life of Chuck is a wonderful thought-provoking experience with a superb cast. Mark Hamill was an absolute blast!
Stick
Owen Wilson is the man! Stick is nothing new in the world of sports dramadies, but it is a fun time nonetheless. Sometimes a feel-good story is what you need to close out a day.
F1 Original Score
Without this score, F1 would be a shell of itself. This music is the perfect complement to the racing scenes in the film and even goes well with a tough workout. I was bumping to this on my run this morning!
Project Hail Mary
I saw the trailer for this while waiting for Superman and started rereading the novel that night. Project Hail Mary is one of my favorite sci-fi stories ever written and if The Martian was any indication, it should work really well as a motion picture adaptation.
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