When David Lynch passed away earlier this year, many of us, including me, made a promise to ourselves that we would be more earnest. His passing amidst the darkness unfolding in the world struck an emotional chord because he was an artist who grasped the profound evil lurking around us, especially in the American zeitgeist, better than anyone. Yet, he fought towards the light despite that understanding. James Gunn's Superman fights toward the light. It's a film that stands for hope, and that humanity can push forward to a better tomorrow, and those genuine feelings resonated with me. Do I wish Gunn hadn't put his weird, silly comedic style all over this film, which tonally feels goofy for a Superman film? Absolutely. Is there way too much jammed packed into this story that it feels like a mess at times? Sure. Is there some CGI sloppy end fight vortex that all feels weightless? You bet. Some of that is all to be expected with any superhero film, and I understand Gunn making this like we just jumped into the middle of Justice League: Unlimited episode one, random Saturday morning. Still, the most important thing is that James Gunn understands Superman and David Corenswet embodies the character the best since Christopher Reeve. When Superman is humming, it's a blast and is a fine way to kick off this new era of the DCU.
We jump right into the action, as Superman (David Corenswet) has been established for 3 years now as the Man of Steel, protecting Metropolis. Superman had just stopped a conflict from happening between the US Allies and Lex Luthor's (Nicholas Hoult) military-backed Boravia from invading Jarhanpur, which leads to the metahuman, the Hammer of Boravia, attacking him in retaliation. The Hammer of Boravia serves as a mere distraction, allowing Lex Luthor to uncover the location of Superman's Fortress of Solitude and gather information to defeat the son of Krypton. Superman, as his alias Clark Kent, is working at the Daily Planet as a journalist and has just begun dating Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan), where their romantic relationship has been dealt a blow based on the conflict of interest and politics going on in Superman's life. Luthor distracts Superman with a giant kaiju monster and breaks into Superman's Fortress of Solitude, where he decodes a message from Superman's parents that says he should take over the planet, which causes the public and government to turn on him. Superman surrenders to the government, effectively giving himself up to Luthor, and must then escape and stop Luthor before he destroys the world, even if it means sacrificing his own life. All the wells have a Justice League gang, a group of metahumans who have banded together to assist Superman in his fight against evil. There's a conspiracy involving Bovaria and Lex Luthor, cloning, side joke romances, and establishing Kent's connection with his parents back in Kansas.
A lot is going on in this movie. Gunn's style feels manic at times, jumping from one story thread to another without taking the time to reflect on what great things he has before him, and that's David Corenswet. You have this actor whose presence, jawline, and personality fit perfectly with the character of Superman. Corenswet's passion for humanity is palpable in every scene he's featured, which I wish were the movie's primary focus, as Gunn struck gold with him. Corenswet's humor is wildly underrated here; his everyman delivery and timing are excellent! The chemistry between him and Brosnahan is fantastic, and she holds her own as the charismatic and brash Lois Lane better than anyone who's portrayed her on screen. Nicholas Hoult's Lex Luthor is wildly insane, but at times, it feels like Gunn is letting him go too far, and we wish we saw a more controlled performance from Hoult, who excels at delivering reserved performances. The rest of the cast is good, though it falls into the weird Gunn side characters we've come to appreciate in the Guardians of the Galaxy series and The Suicide Squad, where I feel they would be better suited. These 'weird Gunn side characters' are a staple of his films, often providing comic relief or adding depth to the story. Mr. Terrific (Edi Gathegi) stands out and will be a crowd favorite.
There's been prior buzz that this film has been labeled the "WOKE" Superman, and I think that's just generally artificially made-up conservative bullshit. Superman has always been an immigrant story about a man fighting for all of humanity. There will likely be some interesting reads of the conflict that Superman is involved in between Boravia and Jarhanpur that warrant a comparison to understand what's happening in the world. Still, please relax, this film is not trying to take a significant stance on what's happening in the Middle East; that's wild. What I love, though, is seeing Superman save people, animals, and fight for what's right, which the film nails with several examples of Superman being a man of the people. Despite the film feeling like Gunn is trying to mash together a billion stories into one, he takes the time to show the connection between the citizens of the world and the Man of Steel, which is crucial for executing a Superman film.
Honestly, I wasn't in love with how this looked either. Bland and a step back from his previous film, The Suicide Squad, which I thought was handsomely shot. This overstylized look can be a sore on the eyes at times, and even Gunn's directing of simple conversations feels like we've just lost the art of blocking. There are some thrilling action sequences where Superman and Company are firing on all cylinders, and I love that we have Superman also using his intelligence and pathos to win conflicts. Still, man, does the intergalactic wormhole and sludge end fight stuff stink at times. Gunn has put his sense of humor into all of this as well, and I can't help but feel as though he's like insecure being at the reins of this significant figure, so it leads me to believe he puts in this silliness in between quite solid moments of earnestness. I wish he leaned even more into the empathy, which I think he's so close to perfecting with this new iteration.
Superman is a little kid's dream of a Saturday morning cartoon come to life with zany characters, big epic fights, and a leading hero that they can look up to as they spill their sugary cereal all over them. Gunn and Corenswet get Superman, and this makes me very hopeful to see where these two take the character next. I think if we tighten this up and give it more of a serious focus, we as comic book and movie fans will be in for something truly special down the road. In the meantime, Kyrpto the dog, you won my heart, even if you're a sweet/bad boy, and I love seeing my guy, Anthony Carrigan from Barry, getting that DC money.
Final Score: 7/10
Written by Kevin J. Pettit
Been waiting for this one! Your review is very balanced in terms of your criticisms and praise, which is much appreciated. I like how you clarified the issues you had, but it didn't seem to negate what you enjoyed. If they captured the essence of Superman enough to shine past technical flaws, that's a promising sign.
I don't know if anyone can ever take the place of Christopher Reeve, but I'm surprised by your claim about Brosnahan. Do you primarily mean movies, or are you expanding your claim to television portrayals as well?
I wanted to ask - Reeve's The Batman focuses much more on Batman than Bruce Wayne. Is it the same here? Did you find an imbalance between Superman and scenes depicting Clark Kent?
“Superman is a little kid's dream of a Saturday morning cartoon come to life with zany characters, big epic fights, and a leading hero that they can look up to as they spill their sugary cereal all over them.”
Excellent review, and totally spot on! This was the exact thought and feeling I had walking out! I was instantly transported back in time. It certainly could have benefited from more focus, but I feel like that’s exactly what you might have expected in the comics or cartoons.
For instance, the interview: by the end I’m waiting for “Are sure they don’t help?” “I should probably go help them.” *end scene* Missed opportunity haha But, as you said, that’s the mixed emotional balance within the scenes.