My wife and I got to watch James Gunn's new Superman movie yesterday. And we both really liked it. You should go see it.
If you're a "skimmer", then that's all you need to know.
Now that the thesis statement is out of the way, let's go to the executive summary (without spoilers):
Actually, while you're about to read the ES, I'm going to be composing the more detailed spoiler-filled analysis below the jump break. I'll see you back up here later. Don't go away.
Executive Summary
James Gunn's Superman is fun and entertaining, and sure to be a crowd pleaser with most. The story, characters, and stylistic choices are well thought out, creating a valid reinterpretation and synthesis of the Superman mythos over the decades, which should resonate well with modern audiences. This is not the Golden Age, Silver Age, Bronze Age, Copper Age, or even the Modern Age version of Superman - it's the Gunn Age (aka "all of the above") - and that's how it should be. The acting is well executed and the overall movie, while not perfect, exceeds expectations from what we were shown in the trailers. It's great to have a less tortured version of Superman again. And I for one, not only want to see the film repeatedly, but I want more of this new DCU.
<<SPOILERS!!!>>
I don't have time to cover every aspect of or character in the film, but here's what stood out to me the most.
The "S" Shield
I can understand people's initial objection to not using the more traditional shield we all know and love from Superman (1978) (and yes, there have been comic book variations throughout the years), but I really like the new design; both it and the costume look great. It makes sense that it would appear less like a letter from our alphabet (although I like that take from the John Byrne post-Crisis era). However, after seeing the movie, I really see it as a wise and necessary choice, rather than just stylistic. It separates us from other incarnations of Superman; it's telling us that we're about to watch something "all-new and different", while at the same time being familiar enough to not be off-putting.
Ma and Pa Kent
First, they're alive, which puts the kibosh on this being a Silver-Age version of Superman, meaning they have an active role in his life. Although, the couple doesn't show up as prominently as they did in the Lois and Clark TV series. Ma Kent seems to have an Edith Bunker type intensity, and Pa is a loveable "mush". These are "simple folk", people who love their son and try to do good. Their wisdom is less refined, more simple truths and plain talk. Their farmstead is almost bordering on the level of poverty. It all seems very mundane. Now the closest similarity is the Donner film Kents, but without the sweeping grandeur of John Williams' score, the couple's stature is lessened in someway. Obviously, this all intentional on Gunn's part, you're getting a different vibe from Clark's parents, but their importance in his life (and mission) is still the same.
I'd be curious to see if there is any evidence in their home of their faith. (I'll try to look next time.) One would assume they'd be Christians, but in the 21st Century I can't be confident that they are without more proof. I like the idea that they could be.
Rao
I saw no evidence of Rao, the Kryptonian Sun god, always invoked by the Bronze-Age Superman. But there is a clever nod to that concept. Whenever Superman gets really injured, he needs to lie in a dentist style chair and be bathed with our yellow sun's rays. And what did people used to call (maybe they still do) those who spent hours on end basking in the sun on the beach, "sun worshippers". Given the reveal of his Kryptonian parent's message, I see Superman much less likely adhering to his biological parent's belief system than his earthly parents.
Clark Kent
I feel like we barely got to see him in the film. So much so that I'm having a hard time thinking of him as Clark Kent, rather than Superman. But that's a feint. In essence he is Clark all the time; his declaration of being human to Lex proves this. It's only the non-super persona of Clark that's the disguise (made possible by the hypno-glasses). Superman is Clark Kent in terms that they're not separate personalities. You can use either name and it fits, in or out of costume. His Kryptonian parents may call him Kal-El, but that's not his identity. Again, this is keeping with the more post-Crisis interpretation. What little we do see of non-powered Clark appears to be paper thin, and Lois is right to call him out on his clumsiness in protecting the ruse.
Superman
A nice guy just trying to do good and help people. I like his manner and speech. This isn't the gravely dark Snyder-verse version, he's light and optimistic without going to boyishness (like Shazam). A bit naive and too trusting (as Lois points out to him), but that's because he was raised that way, coupled with his believed mission legacy. I know what it's like to want to honor your forebears who have passed on before you. And I also know what it's like to be thrown completely out of balance when you find out something you thought to be true isn't. (I found out my step-father Kenny wasn't my real Daddy when I was four years old and it had a profound effect on me, having been "lied" to by my family. It all worked out in the end because the Lord used that to shape me into the man I am today and the choices I made/make in life.) Similarly, the revelation of the full message resets Superman's identity, forever making him aligned with humanity over Krypton. And the "it soothes him" video montage and the end was a touching scene.
Lois Lane
I have to admit I wasn't impressed with images I'd seen in the trailers. Her hairstyle is not very becoming. But that's the point, she doesn't seem to really care much about her appearance, she bold and confident, but not in a braggy Terri Hatcher way. And she certainly is no damsel in distress, fearlessly following Mr. Terrific into the pocket universe. I like how straightforward she is with Clark, challenging him with her "honest" interview. Her voice seems to be intentionally evoking Margot Kidder, but less grating (and without fawning). It was a real surprise having her already know his secret, and it really avoids a lot of rehashing old ground. So my initial preconceptions were erroneous, she's a really good Lois Lane, probably one of the best.
Her and Clark's relationship is a bit immature at this stage, despite the obvious implications they're "hooking up" already. But it experiences some growth during this story, and you can believe that they've made it past a crisis point.
Mr. Terrific
Even more than Guy Gardner, he's the stand-out ancillary character of the film. I don't know much about the him, not having read JSA, other than that he was portrayed as gay in the Arrow series. There is no mention of his sexuality at this point; they just showed him as a really cool, bad-a$$ superhero. His music montage beach battle was a highlight, giving us one of those great Gunn-isms from the Guardians franchise and The Suicide Squad. I loved his brushing aside Luthor's hench-scientist as unnecessary, "I don't need your help, I'm Mr. Terrific. [type, type, type]" He made the name work despite being ridiculed by Guy. I'd enjoy watching more films with him.
Metamorpho
I just read his origin story in the Brave and the Bold #57 facsimile edition recently, and I met his co-creator, the late Ramona Fradon, at Baltimore Comic-Con a few years ago. (She did a Prince Valiant pencil sketch for me.) I loved her stylized art on Metamorpho. The film did a great job depicting his powers, and he was essential to the plot being able to both injure and heal Superman. As echoed by others, Gunn is an expert at taking the lesser known and making them interesting.
Jimmy Olsen
A bit of a jerk, to be frank. He's essentially using Lex's latest arm candy, Eve, for her insider tips, promising to be involved with her when he really thinks she's a dim bulb. The jokes on him, when she really is to quote Lois, "brilliant", including key evidence in all her selfies. What is unclear is whether or not Jimmy will make good on his promises to her about having a relationship. I'm doubtful. Jimmy also shouts the most disturbing lines in the film, shouting, "Jesus Christ" as an expletive. I appreciate that its only a single occurrence and goes with the context of the scene, but it was jarring none the less. On the upside, Jesus is acknowledged to exist in the new DCU (see Kent comment above for my hopes on that point).
Lex Luthor
I liked this version of Lex. He's the smartest person in the room by far, but undercut by his own insecurities and arrogance. The way he used his employees to execute his video game command fight-moves of Ultraman was great, and I'm sure will resonate really well with the younger set. I will say his crying at the end was shocking, initially seemingly out of character. But these aren't tears to elicit sympathy or to show sorrow, just loss of emotional control. His hatred for Superman was misguided before, now it's justified having lost everything albeit from his own machinations.
Powers
Superman's flying is probably the most realistic, if I can use that term, we've ever seen. Imagine being on the nose of a commercial airliner or the supersonic Concorde. We don't soar with him, he mostly flies at us, amidst loud wind noise and sleet. In a word, it's powerful, not sweeping.
Just like John Byrne had Superman's cape be able to be ripped to shreds to indicate the stress of a conflict, Gunn has allowed Superman's body be less than invulnerable. He's tough, tougher than most, but he can be hurt and badly. You can believe that a villain like Doomsday could "kill" him one day, and not just when weakened by Kryptonite. Superman takes damage and then has to recharge (just like you'd see in any video game). Knowing that only someone equal to or greater than Superman should be able to hurt him, gives you an early clue as to Ultraman's identity. Longtime comic readers should not be surprised that he is revealed to be Superman's clone (aka Bizzaro).
The film makes good use of his other powers, like ice breath and heat vision. Let's just say we get a whole lot more than just punching and flying. And I'm guessing he's using the psychic ability to help keep buildings together, that John Byrne used for the Shi'ar Gladiator in Fantastic Four #249 & #250.
The Fortress of Solitude
It's at the south pole, not the north. It hides beneath the ice, when he's not entering or exiting, which is essential to remaining undetected (until now). I like the nods to some of the design elements from 1978 - white crystal columns and glistening robes for Lara and Jor-El. The robots helpers are neat, and it's nice that he's programmed them to be personable. It would be interesting if one of them (Gary?) would turn on him to become a type of Brainiac in a future story. They're necessary to patch him up, and to clean up after Krypto.
Krypto
Cute as all get out, part comic relief and part get-out-of-jail-free card. He might be annoying to some. Chops, or is that chomps, to Gunn for including him at all. I will say his jumping on Clark when he was injured at the start of the movie (something shown in the expanded trailer) took me out of the seriousness of Superman's plight. But then my wife was laughing hysterically, so that scene will work for many. And it does set up a funny bit with Kara near the end of the movie. When Superman mentioned to Lois that Krypto was a "foster", and knowing about the upcoming Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow film, I deduced that she'd be revealed to be his "owner".
Soundtrack and Score
The score is the usual Gunn superhero movie fare, which I mostly enjoy. The soundtrack songs are peppy and used sparingly, but effectively. It's good (I'm listening to it as I type), and I would enjoy having it. At the end of the day, the music is often only as good as the movie (with exception of the Conan the Barbarian (1982) score). It's a fitting accompaniment, while not being a standout classic like Williams'. It mostly uses an updated electronic variation of William's classic theme. Usually music will affect our emotions (for good or ill) in a film, but at least I didn't feel manipulated here. (I teared up during Elio for goodness sake, which I attribute to total manipulation, manufacturing a deep feeling that shouldn't have been justified.) I think the score will resonate with me more upon repeated viewings.
General Impressions
I will say that it took about 20 to 30 minutes for me to get connected with the film. Despite a mad rush to get to the theatre on time (we did!), I was well rested and ready for it with a bucket of only slightly less than fresh Kettle Corn. I didn't expect the bloody snow scene to be the start, and I already mentioned what I thought about Krypto's antics then. But by the end I was all into the film, and was very satisfied with this new incarnation of Superman. Origin stories are awesome, but they've also been mined to death; it's too rare that we get to see the hero in full Action. So, it was a good decision to go in this direction, bringing us in three years after his debut. Metahumans are just a given to exist, and non-comic viewers might find it hard to follow all of the extra characters. The humor is sometimes distracting (re: Krypto) but it wouldn't be as much fun without any.
Missteps
The big spatial rift sequence was a bit over the top. I know they said they were slowing down the rift, but it seemed incongruous to how much devastation it already had caused. And no one should believe that Metropolis can be evacuated so quickly. And while Metamorpho's powers were shown well, his behavior was initially just too blubbery. (I know his baby was being held prisoner.) I guess they wanted to show him strengthen as a character. I also thought the post-credit scenes could have been better. The Supergirl/Kypto scene should have been the last scene and the teaser for her film. It really didn't fit, showing Superman sitting with Krypto in space, after Kara takes Krypto away with her. Emotionally, the payoff in The Suicide Squad is superior when they're taking off in the helicopter at the end, having earned their "redemption" (not Biblically speaking) at that point (too bad you have to endure tons of cussing and violence to get to experience that uplift).
"Wokeness"
I can tell you that I can be sensitive to certain things, especially when they push it down your throat (I expect it these days). But I didn't really see any "wokeness" to be concerned with. I really haven't investigated all that people are saying about it. I think sometimes they take what a creator has said and project that onto the film without looking at the film itself with a neutral lens. If you want to read a funny take, see what the Babylon Bee had to say.
Comic Reading Jumpstarting
Because this new version of Superman is unique, there are no comics that really go with it. Sure, you can read aspects from various "ages", but if you're only getting into Superman through this movie, then there is nothing comparable. DC needs to fill us in on some backstory.
Conclusion
A valid reinterpretation and synthesis of the Superman mythos, which should resonate well with modern audiences. The film is entertaining and fun and it will likely continue to grow on you through repeated viewings*. The fact that I want to see it again (like tonight if possible) puts it in a higher category over any Marvel movie released after Avengers: Endgame. It's going to be hard for Fantastic Four: First Steps to compete. Not only does it need to be entertaining, I really hope it makes me feel something.
*I immediately loved Guardians of the Galaxy, but it took time for me to fully appreciate Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and 3 more. Some movies are like that if you give them the chance.
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