Look, I’ll be honest—I was nervous. After everything we’ve been through with DC on the big screen, I walked into the theater holding my breath, practically bracing for another "grim-dark" deconstruction. But the second that new DC Studios title card hit—the one with Superman breaking his chains in that classic 1938 Shuster style—I knew. We aren’t just watching a movie; we’re watching the rebirth of a legend.
James Gunn didn't just make a superhero flick. He wrote a love letter to the Big Blue Boy Scout that actually understands why we love him. It’s not about the punches (though those are awesome); it’s about the heart. This film feels like it was pulled straight from the pages of All-Star Superman and Kingdom Come, wrapped in a modern, vibrant package.
My Personal Rating: 8.3/10
(I’d give it a 10, but I’m saving that room for the sequel!)
That Opening... Talk About a Gut Punch
The movie doesn't waste time with the "baby in a pod" stuff we've seen a million times. Instead, it drops us right into the fire with a "Three" count text crawl that makes the world feel lived-in and dangerous. Seeing Superman—the strongest man in the universe—battered and bleeding in the Antarctic snow? It humanized him instantly. It tells us right away: this hero can fail, and that’s what makes his choice to keep going so inspiring.
And can we talk about the music? Hearing those classic John Williams notes flipped onto an electric guitar by John Murphy gave me literal chills. It felt like the Superman we know, but with a pulse that matches 2025. It’s a rock-and-roll anthem for a hero who is finally allowed to be cool again without losing his sincerity.
The Suit & The Goodest Boy
The suit is a total "chef’s kiss" for comic nerds. Seeing the red trunks back where they belong felt like a personal victory for the fans. It’s a mix of everything great—the Alex Ross Kingdom Come "S," the Christopher Reeve yellow cape emblem, and even the New 52 collar. It looks tactile, used, and heroic.
But the real MVP? Krypto. Seeing that dog drag a wounded Kal-El back to the crystalline Fortress of Solitude actually made me tear up. It’s that silver-age weirdness—complete with Superman Robots named Gary—blended with real, grounded emotion that only Gunn can pull off. Krypto isn't just a gimmick; he's Kal-El's childhood link to a home he never knew. When he stands guard over a healing Clark, you feel that bond.
Lex Luthor: The Tech-Bro We Love to Hate
Nicholas Hoult is terrifying as Lex. He’s not a cartoon villain; he’s that "prison-swole" tech billionaire who thinks he’s the hero of his own story. Hoult plays him with this manic, cold precision that reminded me so much of the All-Star Superman run.
Watching him orchestrate the "Hammer of Boravia" (shoutout to that Ultraman clone reveal!) like a high-stakes video game from his command center was a brilliant touch. He doesn't just want to kill Superman; he wants to prove he's smarter than him. His entourage—from Eve Teschmacher to Otis—adds this layer of classic DC lore that makes the world feel so much bigger than just one hero.
A Daily Planet That Actually Feels Alive
The Daily Planet scenes felt like home. David Corenswet’s Clark is perfect—he’s not just "Superman in glasses," he’s awkward, he’s slouchy, and you can tell he’s trying so hard to fit in. He uses those "hypnoglasses" from the comics to sell the disguise, and it works because Corenswet’s physical performance is so distinct from his time in the cape.
The newsroom is a blast, too. Between Wendell Pierce’s "tough love" Perry White and Skyler Gisondo’s ladies'-man Jimmy Olsen, the dynamic is hilarious. And Lois and Clark? Their chemistry is electric. Making it so she already knows his secret was the smartest move the writers could have made. That 12-minute interview in the apartment? It wasn't about flying; it was about two people navigating a world that doesn't understand them. It’s raw, it’s probing, and it proves that Lois Lane is the bravest character in the movie.
The Conflict: "Truth & Justice" vs. "The Justice Gang"
Seeing Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion’s bowl cut is legendary), Hawkgirl, and Mr. Terrific was a blast, but the tension was real. The Justice Gang represents the "modern" way of doing things—violent, tactical, and willing to cross lines. Superman’s priority is always saving civilians, even if it means losing the fight.
It really made me think: in a world that wants "edgy" heroes, do we still have room for a guy who just wants to do the right thing? The contrast between Mr. Terrific’s cold efficiency and Superman’s unwavering moral code is the meat of the film’s philosophy. (Spoiler: The answer is a resounding YES, we need him).
The Ending That Broke Me
The final fight was massive—crashing into a subway tunnel and a vacuum cleaner convention was peak Gunn humor—but the ending is what stayed with me. Lex tried to frame the Kryptonians as imperialist conquerors, but Superman’s response wasn't a speech; it was an act of mercy.
Seeing Superman find peace not in Kryptonian holograms, but in home movies of the Kents... that’s it. That’s the character. He’s a god who chooses to be a man because of the love of a couple from Kansas. When he smiled at those old clips of Martha and Jonathan, I wasn’t looking at an alien. I was looking at a son. And that final shot of him and Lois kissing in the Cleveland Arcade? Pure cinematic magic.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been waiting for a Superman movie that makes you feel hopeful again, this is it. It’s vibrant, it’s nerdy as hell, and it has more heart than any three movies combined. It sets a high bar for the "Gods and Monsters" chapter.
Go see it. Then come back here so we can scream about that drunk Supergirl cameo together. Up, up, and away! 🚀❤️
No comments:
Post a Comment