Despite being the first installment in this new cinematic universe, Superman is not an origin story. If any superhero needs no introduction, it’s Superman. This approach allows the film to jump straight into a fully built world, exploring characters, politics, villains, and team-ups that were limited to comic fans in the past. This feels like a sequel to a movie that we never made. In this universe, metahumans have existed for 300 years, while Superman has only been public for the last three. The story drops the audience right into the middle of this world, which may feel overwhelming at first, but some creative dialogue, editing, and story choices make it easy to follow.
There are moments when the narrative takes a break to exposition dump, but the pacing keeps those instances quick and harmless. Transitions from scene to scene fly by almost too fast at points, and with so much going on, it leaves some story beats feeling rushed. Still, the third act does the best job it can at pulling these strings together, resulting in one of the most fun finales in recent memory.
At its heart, Superman is a silver-age comic book come to life. From the distinctive visuals to corny dialogue, the film fully embraces its comic book roots. There’s an argument that these elements undercut the “cinematic experience”. For example, many character relationships are already established at the beginning, so a few moments don’t hit as hard emotionally as they could. But much like Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy, the charm lies in its sincerity. Superman doesn’t hide from the elements Marvel and other films have made fun of, but celebrates.
This results in a film that wears its heart on its sleeve, which gets the waterworks going a few times. Superman has never been a character to hide his emotions or morals, and the movie follows suit. While this means most characters are thematically shallow, this feels like a deliberate choice to make it accessible for all ages. At times, the tone flirts with parody, but the dedication of the cast keeps it from dipping too far.
David Corenswet as Superman feels like a generational casting. His portrayal as Clark Kent has never been more believable, even if Clark’s screen time is limited. The influence of Christopher Reeve’s iconic Superman performance is very prevalent here, from the posture changes to the voice. Opposite Corenswet is Lex Luthor, who Nicholas Hoult brings to life like never before. Hoult’s exaggerated mannerisms, speaking cadence, and facial expressions create a cartoon villain that would not work for so many other actors, but he nails it. Supporting characters like Edi Gathegi’s Mr. Terrific, Nathan Fillion’s Guy Gardner, and Isabela Merced’s Hawkgirl form the Justice Gang, which provides some very entertaining scenes. Gathegi, despite wearing a red-and-white suit emblazoned with “Fair Play” and calling himself “terrific” multiple times, seems to be the fan favorite. At the heart of this cast is Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane. She nails the self-proclaimed “punk rock” reporter fans have fallen in love with. Her interactions with not only Superman but the entire cast drive the heartfelt moments.
With James Gunn at the helm, it’s clear Superman is laying the foundation for a grand DC Universe. Gunn brings his signature style, seen in Guardians of the Galaxy and The Suicide Squad, and reunites with cinematographer Henry Braham. Their visual style, most recognizable for its dynamic freehand close-ups and wide-angle lenses, might not seem like a natural fit for Superman, but it works surprisingly well, especially during the film’s exhilarating flight sequences. That being said, there is a small portion of the visual effects that suffer from the same uncanny CGI that troubled The Flash.
Overall, Gunn took a swing at the most distinct Superman yet, but made it feel familiar. It embraces comic book theatrics that superhero movies have lost for quite some time. Watching other filmmakers step into the world James Gunn has built is going to be a ton of fun. The foundation he’s laid leaves the door wide open for creative interpretation and the potential for some widely different approaches.
Superman stands as both a strong start for the DCU and a refreshing reminder of what superhero movies can be when they’re unafraid to be earnest. Despite cynicism dominating most media, Superman dares to believe in goodness, and that makes it a must-watch this summer.
