From the mind behind the MCU’s Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy & 2021’s Suicide Squad retry comes one of the best live action superhero films of the last decade with Superman. Starring David Corenswet as the Man of Steel himself, Gunn leads an all-start cast to a smashing success of comic book filmmaking. Superman works on a variety of levels, but it’s greatest achievement is how well it understands both the ideas behind the big blue boy scout and the nature of comic book storytelling itself – while still feeling very much like a great James Gunn comic adaptation. Superman is one of the most pleasantly surprising cinema experiences I’ve had in recent years.
Right off the bat, Gunn sets up both his Superman and his version of the DC Universe right in the middle of the action. In the opening scene, Supes is coming back from a brutal battle and is dragged back to the Fortress of Solitude by his faithful (and hilariously ill-behaved) pal Krypto. One of the highest pieces of praise I can give this film is that it feels like picking up a Superman comic run about 20 issues in, or watching a story arc from Timm & Dini’s Superman: The Animated Series. The DC Universe here feels alive and lived in, with no need for an introduction. All of the characters feel at home, and none of the reveals feel too out of left field – everything just *oozes* superhero comic storytelling. One of my biggest concerns going into this film was that there were too many characters for a standalone Superman film. Fortunately, Gunn manages to give the additional heroes – Green Lantern Guy Gardner, Hawkgirl, Metamorpho, and Mr. Terrific – an ample amount of screentime to make them feel important without ever stealing too much of the spotlight away from Supes. While the plot veers in sometimes unexpected directions, it stays focused thematically. There are character additions and twists I certainly did not see coming from a live action Superman flick, but Gunn manages to make everything feel organically comic book-y.
While Gunn’s scripting and directing are what haul the film to greatness, it’s the incredible work of the cast that really makes Superman shine. David Corenswet is easily the best Man of Steel we’ve gotten since Christopher Reeve himself. Seeing him in a sharply designed bright blue and red suit (with trunks!) is like seeing a panel from a great Superman comic rendered in reality. Corenswet plays Clark with all of the small town charm you could want, while delivering the unabashedly hopeful persona you need from a great Superman story. Clark’s frustration at a world he’s still coming to understand is palpable, while his determination and unending quest for peace is still awe-inspiring. Another great element of Corenswet’s performance is his phenomenal on-screen chemistry with Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane. Her interpretation of fierce, insightful, and often a bit *too* brave Daily Planet reporter is a joy to watch on-screen, and I found myself just as drawn into her sequences as I was the big super heroics. As great as the late Gene Hackman’s take on the Lex Luthor was, Nicholas Hoult’s performance has handily become the best live action interpretation of the maniacal billionaire. His performance adds dimensions to the character not seen outside of the comics, and feels especially relevant to our current reality. Also, again, as great as the whole cast is, Edi Gathegi’s take on Mr. Terrific almost stole the whole show. Every character in the film had their own memorable moment, and the film is all the stronger for it.
While Gunn’s scripting is sure to soak up most of the praise, his directing is what makes Superman feel especially exhilarating. Everyone talks about Gunn’s comedic timing and emotionally hard-hitting moments (as well they should), but he’s often underrated as an action director. The fight sequences are composed of long shots and camera follows that capture the momentum of the characters on screen. You feel like you’re being pulled along on a roller coaster as Superman battles against kaiju and super-powered foes while taking breaks to save people and animals caught in the mayhem. The fact that the film’s visual effects are so stellar (in a genre where they can often fall short) makes the action feel all the more encompassing. It’s also a really *bright* film. As it should be, it’s a Superman story, after all! The combination of practical makeup and stellar CGI propels Superman to be one of the best-looking live action comic book films in recent memory.
Superman’s greatest achievement as a superhero film is how unapologetically *comic book* it actually is. Gunn allows the movie to be emotionally sincere and even a bit corny in ways that comic book adaptations have become afraid to be. While Gunn’s sometimes distracting quips are still here, they’re dialed back considerably compared to his prior work. There’s a moment where Clark equates being kind and empathetic to being the new “punk rock” and honestly, that’s intrinsic to the thematic core of the whole film. While they didn’t get too much screen time, Ma & Pa Kent (played by Neva Howell and Pruitt Taylor Vince) are rightfully portrayed as the backbone of Superman’s ideals. Even with the arguably controversial change in Superman’s origin in this film, the Kents being the reason Clark is the man he is is still attributed to the kind, honest upbringing of a Kansas farm couple. James Gunn’s Superman is the most sincere adaptation of comic book super heroics in a long time, and it sets up both this version of the Man of Steel and this new era of DC Studios in spectacular fashion. I can’t wait to see how Gunn and his collaborators follow this film with their takes on the DC Universe.
