Superman

When James Gunn announced that he had taken over the DC Universe, he promised that big changes would be ahead. He had a vision that would stand in stark contrast to the baroque melancholy of the most recent ventures. We got a look at this new tone in the spectacular series PEACEMAKER, but he had his sights set on loftier goals in the cinematic realm. What better way to launch this new direction than giving fans a look at one of the most marketable brands on the planet, SUPERMAN.

In the recent DCU films, Henry Cavill played the Man of Steel with an earnest and dire conviction. He was a hero that was tortured and flawed, burdened by the decisions he made and harboring a rage that was difficult to keep at bay. Cavill was excellent in that regard and fully delivered on the material provided.  

Gunn had something else in mind when it came to the iconic character, however. Casting David Corenswet for the title role, he brought the character back to the good ol’ boy roots of the comic, transforming the character from troubled hero to full-fledged happy-to-do-it savior. Corenswet’s Superman is not bogged down by self-doubt or barely suppressed rage. He is an alien who, thanks to the message left from his parents when their doomed planet was dying, knew that it was his mission to protect the human race at all costs.

SUPERMAN isn’t an origin story, and the film is much better off for it. We’ve already seen takes on Kal-el/Clark Kent’s beginning a million times in both television and film, and it would do no good to rehash old ground. This film begins with Big Blue already a global hero but picks up minutes after he had been defeated for the first time. Lex Luther (a delightfully devilish Nicholas Hoult) has set a plan into motion to bring the world’s most popular alien to his knees and expose him for the fraud he is. Of course, in doing so, Luther will become one of the most powerful men on the planet.

There are those who have decried Gunn’s film as featuring a “woke” Superman who will alienate longtime viewers and tarnish the Man of Steel forever. I’d argue that the majority of those making this absurd proclamation have either never seen the film or aren’t at all familiar with the character to begin with. This version of Superman is inherently good, and kind. He believes in truth and justice, and more importantly, he cares deeply about the lives of others. He not only saves those in peril but does so while ensuring that no additional lives are lost along the way. Whether he is Clark Kent or Superman is inconsequential, he consistently strives to find the good in everyone and everything and trusts to a fault. Sure, there are real world parallels found throughout the movie, and I suppose there are those with particular political leanings that might get bent out of shape about that, but the message could not be any clearer. This isn’t a character who is battling inner demons while attempting to do some good. This is the Superman that loves Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan), saves humans, dogs, and squirrels alike, and doesn’t understand how saving innocent lives could ever be bad.

SUPERMAN

Grade: A

Rated: PG-13
Rin Time: 2h 9min
Genre: Superhero, Action, Adventure
Starring:  David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult
Director: James Gunn
Writers: James Gunn, Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster

Now playing in theaters.

Brian Miller