Superman
Plot
Superman has been the savior of man kind for years, despite the hostility of tech giant and arms billionaire Lex Luthor, who constantly works against him.
When Luthor discovers a lost message from Superman’s parents, that suggest he become the ruler of earth instead of saviour, the world turns on him.
Superman, along with Lois and the Justice Gang, now try to find a way to clear Superman’s name.
Direction
A crisp, clean look, with fairly fluid dissolve from ultra HD looking CGI in scenes where superman battles the many villains he faces – to the ‘normalcy’ of life (Clark at work etc).
People might slag James Gunn off, but he has true talent behind the camera, especially utilising a big budget well, this feels like a love story to old style comics, as well as a great homage to the 1970’s films (with a touch of John Williams classic theme).
Cast/Characters
David Corenswet plays the role of Superman/Clark Kent.
Rachel Brosnahan plays the role of Lois Lane.
Nicholas Hoult plays the ole of Lex Luthor. He gets the MVP for this film.
The cast is quite large, with many important characters within the Superman cannon. They include; Edi Gathegi as Mr Terrific, Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern, Isabella Merced as Hawkgirl, Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, Wendell Pierce as Perry White, Pruitt Taylor Vince as Jonathan Kent and Bradley Cooper as Jor-El.
Just to name a few.
Breakdown
Like other ‘first’ in the series, this does something completely different. Rather than being an ‘origin’ story, of how Clark Kent ‘becomes’ Superman/gets his job/meets Lois etc – this has all the relationships already established. Lois knows Clark is Superman, and they are even in a relationship.
Their relationship is shown to be quite well written, but if I’m going to nitpick, it seems that Gunn wrote Lois too similar to the Snyder version where she struggles with relationships.
I really enjoyed Hoult as Lex Luthor. His antagonism towards Superman is the most extreme that has been put to screen,
such as his knowledge of his fighting techniques (19A etc)
and he is also the most ruthless too. Rather than being a ‘cartoonish’ villain – he actually goes against the norm than we’re used to (even killing unarmed innocents!). The secondary backstory involving Superman inserting himself into the war-zone of two countries is an interesting inclusion – and gives Lex a ‘financial’ reason to want Superman out of the way.
I was hopeful from the trailers, and then the very first moment of seeing Corenswet as Clark on screen, that we were going to have a more ‘tomfoolery’ type Clark that the late great Christopher Reeve did so well, but Clark became an almost non character – that we get very few scenes of him as ‘fake Clark’ rather he is around those who know his identity (his parents, Lois, superman robots etc).
There are some terrific action sequences, especially when the metahumans Mr Terrific and Green Lantern – along with Lois, go to save Superman from the pocket universe. This sequence does include one of the most laughable uses of CGI, when Superman falls into the anti proton river.
I loved the fact that Jimmy is considered a sex symbol in this, and just adds to some of the many comedic moments in the film. There are quite a few good gags that will make you chuckle (you have a flying saucer but you couldn’t get a faster garage door?
The main narrative is the love of superman, despite him being an alien is what is the root of Lex’s hatred of Superman. There is a very passionate argument between them later in the film about what makes someone ‘human’ – and how Superman is at heart human too (with the internal organs to match). I loved that this film also kept Jonathan alive, and that the bond they have is so strong.
Overall
I really enjoyed this version of Superman. From Coronswet’s physically impressive performance, Hoult’s towering presence, Gunn’s colourful direction. It has it all for Superman fans, the minor and I assume the die hard fans of the comics.
A recommend.
4/5