It’s been a long time in the making but a new Superman movie is finally here!
James Gunn’s Superman was created during a tumultuous period at DC Studios. The studio was testing multiple ideas to see what resonated with audiences while also attempting to escape the shadow of Zack Snyder’s DCEU. However, at other times, they seemed to be embracing Snyder’s vision (consider Black Adam’s post-credit scene, for example, with Henry Cavill returning as Superman). To say things were perplexing at Warner Bros. is an understatement.
This led to a return to the cinematic universe idea that Marvel inspired, which was initially attempted with Batman v Superman. Warner Bros. brought on director James Gunn and producer Peter Safran (who produced past Warner Bros. DC projects like both Aquaman and both Shazam! films) to create a brand new DC film universe where the movies would connect and cross over with one another. The start of this new, ambitious endeavor is Superman. Now the film takes on the challenge of endearing audiences to this new world and reestablishing the DCU as a true competitor to the MCU.
Superman attempts to do a lot. It seeks to introduce audiences to a new world, create likable and memorable characters, and craft a compelling story that is coherent to a wide-reaching audience. Although the attempt is admirable, it fails to nail any one of those specific aspects completely. The biggest hurdle is the puzzling tone. The movie is undoubtedly ambitious, aiming to pair its incredibly comic-booky, over-the-top tone with a heartfelt, inspiring story. Unfortunately, the sillier tone clashes with the few emotionally resonant moments, making it difficult to grasp anything of substance. Very little felt grounded.
The world was so ridiculous that it made it difficult to care or invest in the characters or story. The prioritization of humor, made the softer moments feel out of place. There always seemed to be a joke around the corner waiting to jump in and break up the tension. This clash never seemed to subside, lasting throughout the entire movie. I was left waiting for the film to say something of value, but they were far too caught up in looking for the next moment of levity. This hollowness made every other goal of the film an uphill battle.
When it comes to the characters, David Corenswet is unquestionably the highlight of Superman. Corenswet’s earnestness and sincerity in the role are palpable. Superman is incredibly likable and easy to connect with. He is, no doubt, the driving force behind the movie and can hold the story together purely because of the charm he evokes. Whether he’s saving a squirrel from danger or scolding a rival, Superman is that guy. A character that audiences immediately connect with. He exudes a sense of familiarity and rawness, which allows audiences to connect with him. For a character so grandiose and fantastical, he is the most real.
That realness, however, stops with Superman. Every other character feels so cartoonish that it’s tough to relate to any of them. Rachel Brosnahan shows flashes of greatness with her version of Lois Lane, yet is not given nearly enough time. Edi Gathegi comes the closest after her, with his take on Mister Terrific. However, he is once again not given enough material to truly shine in his role. From there, it goes downhill. The Daily Planet newsroom are simply caricatures, with Jimmy Olsen playing a bizarre role. The rest of the “Justice Gang” feels way too absurd in their characterization. Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor ranges from a genius super villain to this odd, emotional roller coaster of a person. Overall, the supporting cast is either too underdeveloped or too ridiculous to elicit any genuine investment.
The story has way too much on its plate. There is no actual goal or intention for Superman. He exists within the world, which makes his character a lot more passive. The story fails to convey a sense of urgency or a specific purpose to Clark. For a story that moves so quickly, it fails to accomplish much. The chaos of unclear character decisions, paired with an irreverence to everything going on, makes the story somewhat unimportant. The characters take the front seat, but, as mentioned before, every other character, besides Superman, fails to hold enough weight to make the audience care about their role.
Superman strives for greatness but struggles to reach those heights. The film is so over-the-top and overstuffed that it leaves little room for the few heartfelt moments we do get. That is ultimately what is missing – emotionally resonant moments. For a Superman movie, there is a noticeable lack of inspiring and uplifting moments. The film is too bogged down in its emphasis on humor to accomplish anything of note. There are undoubtedly good moments, but they are not given enough time to develop. David Corenswet’s Superman carries a lot, and it may simply be too much.
The movie could have significantly benefited from slowing down and grounding the story slightly to make room for more hard-hitting scenes. The film had little to say. The core of Superman is barely explored, and any central thematic element feels superficial. Superman is, undoubtedly, the greatest superhero. There is such a rich playground that opens itself up to powerful stories. This new Superman movie didn’t quite hit those notes, but it did get close to creating an entertaining comic book film.
Rating: 7/10