Superman (Review)

 From the ashes of Zack Snyder’s DC Comics Extended Universe (DCEU) comes James Gunn’s DC Comics Universe (DCU). Jame Gunn’s first film in his vision of the DC Comics universe is Superman. 

Growing up, I was a huge DC guy, more so than Marvel, actually. There was just something that particular universe I liked. Sure I was then a big fan of Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four, but I was also really into Batman, the Flash, Teen Titans, and the Justice League as a whole. However, before there was Spider-Man (2002), Batman (1989), Batman the Animated Series, and Justice League Unlimited there had to be a catalyst to my foray into the superhero genre. That was Richard Donnor’s Superman: The Movie. 

The tagline was so real to a young Cody. I truly did believe a man could fly because of  Christopher Reeve’s portrayal as Clark Kent/Superman. Then Superman was there again when I was 18 with Henry Cavill’s take on Superman with Man of Steel. Superman’s an important character to me. It’s not because that he can fly, or he’s strong, or any of his other powers. What makes him a great hero is that despite all of his powers and his ability to do virtually anything, good or bad, he chooses to help humanity and act as a beacon of hope with a smile on his face. You know, the very reason we get into superheroes in the first place! 

Interestingly, Superman in this film is 30 years old. Superman is now my peer in a sense. Here I am at 30 with David Corenswet now taking on the role. So, how’d he do? 

As far as I’m concerned, David Corenswet IS Superman. He’s exactly what Superman should be seen as. He’s a guy just trying to do the right thing. He’s so earnest that he kind of comes off as a dork, but charmingly so. Definitely an “Aww, shucks!” kind of attitude. It’s everything he needs to be. Really, a 10/10 casting because damn does David make it work. 

And the rest of the movie? I love it. I described it as “the most comic book-iest comic book film yet.” I stand by it. It’s a whacky world pulled straight from its source material. There’s lots of whackiness, but grounded by a simple story of a good guy trying to stop a bad guy doing bad things. 

One of James Gunn’s strengths is balancing ensemble casts. Superman lives in a big world and has quite a few social groups. There’s his family life, life at the Daily Planet, work with the “Justice Gang” (it’s too early for the Justice League to make an appearance), and his solo work at the Fortress of Solitude with robots and Krypto the Superdog. There’s quite a bit to balance here. Yet, somehow Gunn manages to make it all work. 

Every character has their personality shine, even if it’s from one throwaway gag, there’s character there. I’d imagine people will come out of this with different favorite characters in mind. Speaking of, mine are (of course) Clark Kent, Lex Luthor, Mr. Terrific, Lois Lane, and special shoutout to Jimmy Olsen. There’s this sub-subplot of Jimmy Olsen being this babe magnet despite looking like a goober and doesn’t want to be tied down. It’s hilarious. It didn’t need to be there, but I’m so thankful it is.   

Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor is some great stuff. This man just HATES Superman. He’s a certified hater and it’s so delicious to see his smugness on the occasions he gets the upper hand on Big Blue. He’s cool and calculated until a breaking point and froths with anger and resentment to the point of madness and tears because an alien seemingly has more humanity than some humans on Earth. Without a doubt, he is the best on screen Lex Luthor. Hands down. 

Also, get we get a 70’s action mystery thriller with Mr. Terrific? That’d be fantastic. 

That’s about as vague I can get to reviewing this movie without getting into the plot. Which surprisingly has been hidden from the trailers. It was delightful as it pertains to life as of late, so it’s a swing for sure that lands potently. 

Superman. I loved it. Give it a shot. It’ll make you want to do acts of kindness after you watch it. It’s good to be good, right? 

Also, Typing Pocket Dimension Monkeys. If you know, you know.

Comments

  1. Timothy HagenJuly 13, 2025 at 5:12 PM

    Right I totally geeked when super man told Louis there fine it’s just a space imp . I was like now there is a clue that only a true super man fan would do .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. C.WJuly 13, 2025 at 5:36 PM

      Hahaha right? Caught that too! Gunn really put some Easter eggs in there. What a guy!

      Delete

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