'Superman': James Gunn's Reboot of the Man of Steel is Heartfelt and Spectacular

PHOTO: Warner Bros. Pictures

One might assume that James Gunn’s Superman might be an origin story, as it is a reboot and represents the beginning of a new era for DC. This could not be further from the truth, as Gunn skips over Superman’s arrival on Earth and much of the table setting we’ve seen in almost every other iteration of the Man of Steel. In fact, the film begins with Superman in a pretty low spot, with him returning to his Fortress of Solitude after being horribly injured in battle. It is a bold way to open the film, and plants the seeds of this particular version of Superman incredibly well. Gunn is starting up a new cinematic universe for DC Studios, and throughout the film, he makes it clear that he isn’t going to regurgitate the same old, same old and call it a day. He knows that everyone is fully aware of Superman’s origins, and decides to cut to the chase immediately. Furthermore, it is clear that he is aware of the missteps that the DC Extended Universe made and seeks to create something brighter (literally and figuratively) and more dynamic than Superman’s most recent live-action outings. It’s clear that Gunn wants to get off on the right foot with Superman, and I would argue that he does this and then some. 

Instead of delivering a reheated version of Superman’s origins, we get a great medium between what people love about the character and James Gunn’s distinct filmmaking style. It feels true to the character of Superman while also showing a different side to him in the process. We get a version of him that is a bit more temperamental and more human than some of the previous versions of him. Of course, he’s still an intergalactic being who is able to perform incredible feats, but he has a sense of humanity that makes the stakes around him feel higher this time around. There is some slight danger to what we are seeing and it makes everything all the more exciting. James Gunn’s Superman is a phenomenal and fresh take on the titular superhero, and is undoubtedly the must-see experience of the summer, if not the year.

As the film begins, Superman (David Corenswet) is now three years into being the protector of Metropolis and enmeshed in a hodgepodge of issues. First and foremost being an elaborate plot fronted by Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) to turn the public against him. Then, there’s the conflict between the nations of Boravia and Jarhanpur that Superman previously intervened in, which is coming to a head. On top of all that, there’s Superman’s personal struggles, such as his budding relationship with Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan), his job at the Daily Planet as his alter-ego Clark Kent, and much more. The film follows Superman as he tries to resolve all these problems, and prove to the people of Metropolis that he is their guardian and protector.

Superman is one of those films that I struggle to see how someone could fully dislike it. I can see people not fully gelling with aspects of the film or being irked by some of the changes it makes from the traditional Superman lore, but it is such an infectiously exciting film that I can’t see someone leaving the film thinking it is awful. It is the type of big blockbuster that will entertain audiences at the very least, and that is the bare minimum that I was hoping for going into it. Thankfully, it is so much more than mere entertainment for me, but I can see other viewers not liking certain parts of it or just thinking it’s mediocre on the whole. But regardless of the level of enjoyment that people experience while watching the film, it is hard to deny that this is the type of major blockbuster that was made for the Summer movie season. It has thrilling spectacle, a great sense of humor, and a strong momentum that held my attention from minute one.

The biggest issue I can see being lobbed at it is that it’s overstuffed. I don’t necessarily disagree with this criticism, as there is a lot going on here, but I don’t think this hurts the film too badly. I’d equate the film to a delicious, yet heavy meal in that everything in the film is strong and well-made, but consuming it all might make you feel a bit too full. It might be way too much for some, but for me, it evokes a level of fullness where I may have eaten a bit more than I should have, but the meal was so good that I don’t regret it for a second. If anything, I was hoping that there might be a little more involving some of the characters and storylines, but I would much rather the film plant the seeds of things to come than to spend too much time fleshing every little detail out. This is the dawn of a new era for DC, and this film sets up a bright future for it. 

Part of my enjoyment might stem from my enjoyment of James Gunn’s previous films, especially his comic book adaptations. The Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy is easily one of the best things to come out of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and The Suicide Squad is one of the best DC films from the past decade in my opinion. After seeing Superman, I’d argue that it might be up there with them. Gunn definitely tones down his more anarchic spirit with this film, presenting something that is a bit more palatable for the masses as opposed to the weirdness of his other work. It does have his more heartfelt nature all over it though, as it teeters on melodrama at certain points. Gunn knows exactly how far to push the emotions, as the film wears its heart on its sleeve without feeling sappy. He gets the alchemy of the film just right, finding the right blend of weirdness, emotionality, action, and comic book lore to help the film fire on all cylinders. Not only that, he takes such a familiar story that has become such a cultural landmark and makes it feel fresh and exciting. Some of the tweaks he makes for this particular version of Superman and his story might not sit right with some, but I think that the narrative choices that Gunn makes helps open the door to some interesting ideas within the film, the Superman mythos, and the new DC cinematic universe as a whole. I would much rather Gunn take chances than give us the same stuff we’ve seen many times over at this point, and he certainly delivers on this front.

I was pleasantly surprised by how many political parallels are made in the film, as it contains many details that feel relevant to current events. The most notable one being the conflict between Boravia and Jarhanpur, which mirrors the ongoing unrest between Israel and Palestine. This may or may not have been intentional, but it is hard not to make the connection given how the situation is portrayed in the film. One might also argue that the film’s version of Lex Luthor shares some things in common with other power-hungry billionaires, and that the film uses the character’s influence and wealth to comment on the upper class. There is also a character that bears some similarities to Russian President Vladimir Putin, and one of the film’s main storylines touches on mob mentality and cancel culture. Gunn clearly wants this film to tie into our current sociopolitical climate, and the film very nakedly does this. Its lack of subtlety does kind of lessen its overall effect, but I admire the effort and how relevant it all feels nonetheless.

There is a brightness to the film’s overall look that really worked for me, as it represents a stark change from the blandness that most modern comic book movies have. This film has many shots that are seemingly drenched in sunlight, as well as a great usage of color all throughout the film. The camerawork in this film is pretty great overall, especially when it comes to the flying sequences and the major setpieces. There is a kinetic energy that makes everything feel alive, and the flying itself is captured in a unique and effective manner. The film’s special effects are also great, as is the production design and costuming. The whole film just looks incredible, and is one of the most visually alluring superhero films I’ve seen in a while. 

If you want to have a good Superman movie, you need to cast the right person to play the Man of Steel himself. David Corenswet is perfect for the role, armed with the handsomeness and charm to play Superman, as well as a vulnerability that gives an interesting layer to the character. He isn’t as cool and collected as other versions of Superman, but I liked this about the performance. The emotionality that Corenswet brings out in him takes him to interesting places, and helps him stand apart from other portrayals of Superman. His Superman retains the desire to do good and make the world a better place, but there is a temperament that Corenswet has that makes him feel more human and easy to connect with. It is a strong take on the character, and I hope that we get to see more of him in the role in future DC films.

As for the rest of the cast, Rachel Brosnahan is an inspired choice to play Lois Lane and her chemistry with Corenswet is off the charts. Brosnahan injects Lois Lane with a fearlessness that makes her fascinating to watch, and she helps elevate the character quite a bit. Nicholas Hoult is excellent as always, giving us one of the best portrayals of Lex Luthor ever. Hoult knows when to keep a lid on things and when to erupt, and he is equally compelling when doing both. I especially liked his work in a scene where he is trying to get some information out of Superman, as it strikes a great balance between the two sides of his performance and shows how evil the character truly is. Skyler Gisondo is perfectly cast as Jimmy Olsen, and provided some of the film’s funnier moments. I really like how this film posits Jimmy as a bit of an unlikely ladies man, which Gisondo plays incredibly well. Nathan Fillion does a great job as Guy Gardner, sporting a blonde bowl cut and a bit of an attitude. He brings an interesting energy to the film, and is a bit of a scenestealer. I was perhaps most intrigued by Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, as he gives perhaps the standout supporting performance of the whole film. His deadpan line delivery and calm demeanor drew me in, and I honestly wish that he was in more of the film. Hopefully, this isn’t the last we’ve seen of Gathegi in the role, as he truly lives up to his character’s name.

Superman is the shot in the arm that both DC Studios and the comic book film genre desperately needed, and kicks off DC’s new cinematic universe with a bang. While it may cram a lot in, it is still a satisfying take on one of the most iconic figures in pop culture that updates him just enough to feel more modern and new. Admittedly, I may be higher on this than some, as I can see certain aspects of the film not hitting for some viewers. However, I left this film with a renewed love for the character of Superman, which is something I haven’t really felt since I was a kid. It is the type of film I can see myself revisiting again and again, and it is incredibly well-made and enjoyable. If this is the level of quality we can expect from DC in their upcoming films, we certainly have a lot to look forward to. Superman soars to great heights and has some emotional strength to it, making it a must-see and one of the best superhero movies of the past decade.

Rating: 4.5/5