After Superman fans worldwide buzzed with anticipation for the new film, it is finally here. Incorporating romance, friendship and rivalry, “Superman” follows the status quo of a superhero. By creating a soft superhero with a deeper portrayal of Superman’s inner emotions, director James Gunn (“Guardians of the Galaxy”) hit the mark in creating yet another story of hope and courage.
Running for two hours and nine minutes with a rating of PG-13, “Superman” follows Kal-El, also known as Clark Kent and Superman, in his mission against his biggest enemy, Lex Luthor. During his journey, Superman is caught between saving the city of Metropolis and the country of Jarhanpur.
David Corenswet plays the role of Superman as the compassionate character seen in comic books. Since Christopher Reeves’ interpretation of Superman in the late 70s and 80s, subsequent actors playing the iconic role have felt pressure to meet his standard, which portrayed Superman as a caring and selfless superhero. Corenswet passionately portrays the duality of Superman’s human and hero identities through scenes where critical news headlines cause society to betray his character. Additionally, the film shows Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan) as more than just Superman’s love interest — her story centers on her loyalty and passion for her job at The Daily Planet.
This film stood out from previous adaptations by focusing on The Daily Planet, the fictional newspaper and primary workplace of Clark Kent and Lois Lane. Typically, superhero movies focus solely on the action and background of a superhero, much like in “Man of Steel” with Henry Cavill. However, this film digs deep into Superman’s second identity as Clark Kent, a farm boy turned reporter. Bringing awareness to Luthor’s wrongdoings, Lane and other reporters release an article highlighting his corrupt actions.
Gunn portrays Superman as a God-like entity and symbol of hope. One standout scene follows children creating a Superman flag, calling out for their hero. Comic book fans know that originally, the ‘S’ in Superman stood for the House of El, but over time, it represented a symbol of hope. Gunn focuses on the human aspect of Superman being a meta-human, attesting to his “hero” title through his kind demeanor and human-like emotions — saving little kids and a (Super)man’s best friend, Krypto, alike.
Although the film hit the mark for most things a superhero movie needs, the ending felt all too underwhelming. Gunn does a remarkable job putting comic book Superman onto the big screen, including comedy even in serious moments, but viewers shouldn’t go into this movie expecting a dramatic, gritty superhero experience with catastrophic consequences.
Gunn’s “Superman” embodies everything a superhero fan could need: romance, action and comedy. In general, audiences always hope film remakes bring something new, and this film brings excitement to what the DC Universe franchise can become. Despite the growing popularity of streaming services, this film is definitely one to be seen in the theaters so viewers can achieve what every superhero movie should be: a cinematic experience.
4 capes out of 5