Taken as a whole Superman is a blockbuster delight, filled with heroism, action, and fondness for animals. Though some people might not like their reflection in this story.
Despite some clutter, Superman is a ton of fun with a heart of gold hero and a fitting villain. Although fictional with some pat dialogue regarding goodness, it feels like those words and emotions are in short supply. Its hefty runtime has minimal drag because the interactions are too interesting to care much, though it’d benefit from some minor trim. Taken as a whole Superman is a blockbuster delight, filled with heroism, action, and fondness for animals. Though some people might not like their reflection in this story.
Directed by James Gunn and written by Gunn, Jerry Siegel, and Joe Shuster, the movie follows Superman in the midst of an identity crisis. He fights to reconcile his origins with who he is and chooses to be now. There’s plenty of action as the movie tosses audiences into everything, from Superman’s first defeat to the already powerful and jealous Lex Luthor. Even though a lot happens, Superman is a heroic story that champions doing the right thing regardless of political games,or greedy corporate machinations.
Superman Has Outstanding Casting Choices
The cast all does great work. Especially those moviegoers spend the most time with. David Corenswet (Pearl, Twisters) was a perfect casting choice. He displays innocence and naivete along with a boyish charm and adorableness. His Superman/Clark Kent is not perfect. The superhero interview with Superman’s girlfriend Lois Lane, played by Rachel Brosnahan (The Amateur, The Courier), shows he cannot handle prodding into his actions and is sensitive to pushback. The action elicits smiles, excitement, and laughter.
Lois Lane feels like the more grounded of the pair, literally and figuratively, balancing Superman’s ingenuousness with her more pragmatic, cynical lens. Their relationship sometimes feels jarring because Gunn throws audiences into the midst of it all. Everything is already in motion when we meet these characters. Another standout is Edi Gathegi (The Harder They Fall, Aporia) as Mr. Terrific—finally justice! He’s funny, intelligent, and essential. Mr. Terrific is the antithesis of Luthor, using his intelligence for good without seeking recognition and worship.
A Villain and a Story Some May Complain About
Superman’s villain is a white guy resentful that not enough people praise and worship him. Luthor is the tech bro, button-mashing gamer, bragging about his prowess in games, condescending to everyone around him. Every aspect of his existence is an example of his fragile ego and the need to pander to him, from his partners to knocking over a mug repeatedly.
Though initially annoyed with this villain and choice of actor to play Luthor, Nicholas Hoult (Warm Bodies) showed he can play a fragile, obsessed white guy, as evidenced in The Menu. Luthor mirrors a lot of the toxic behavior many men exhibit on and offline. So, there will be people who drum up excuses to hate the film because they, like Luthor, refuse to self-reflect.
Superman chooses to do the right thing, expecting nothing in return. To him, there is no “both sides” when it comes to one country invading another and exterminating them. He does not need to “learn about the history” before speaking on the current atrocities. So, Superman will upset some people. Because they forget that he—alongside many of their anime and superhero faves—would not be on their side in real life.
Action-Packed, Sweet, and Heroic
Superman makes viewers—at least some of us—feel like a hero, showing there is nothing wrong with speaking up against violence, against inhumane conditions and treatment. It’s a sad world where the wealthy and government desires continue superseding justice and what’s right, but it’s a sadder world where they dupe people to support their own demise.
The film does not sermonize to moviegoers, but takes a hero and plops him in a situation where he has to decide who he is and what his path will be. Superman is a human story, with the emotional center that’s loads of fun, with a worthwhile message, and an adorable doggy. It’s a film I’d happily rewatch.
