SUPERMAN – The Man of Steel Soars High Again, in a Summer Blockbuster Event!

SUPERMAN is directed by James Gunn. The film stars David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult, Edi Gathegi, Anthony Carrigan, Nathan Fillion, and Isabela Merced.

With political unrest threatening the balance of the world, Superman finds himself in over his head, battling the creations of the evil Lex Luthor while juggling his double life as Clark Kent and his relationship with fellow reporter Lois Lane. It’s up to the Man of Steel to discover Luthor’s scheme and prevent full-on war from erupting.

I’m not sure how many times the SUPERMAN character has been rebooted on the big screen now. But it’s been a lot. This time around, James Gunn, probably best known for Marvel’s GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY series, steps into the director’s chair, with newcomer David Corenswet wearing the cape of Krypton’s greatest son. It’s also the launching point of a new DC Comics Cinematic Universe, with DC having ended their previous attempt at one. So… is this latest take on SUPERMAN more powerful than a locomotive, or does it fall victim to the cinematic kryptonite that’s plagued so many previous movies?

All the right pieces are in place here, and this long-time comic book movie fan is pleased to say that James Gunn’s SUPERMAN may be the most comic book-y feeling movie ever made. David Corenswet is a fantastic newcomer who’ll hopefully be wearing the cape for years to come. Mr. Gunn understands comic books better than anyone, creating a powerful and dramatic story that doesn’t suck the life out of the SUPERMAN mythos the way so many previous directors and actors have despite their best intentions.

Right from the get-go, James Gunn deserves credit for not rehashing the origin story and countless other past events from prior SUPERMAN movies. We don’t have to sit through the destruction of Krypton again. We don’t have to endure scenes of Clark Kent’s early life in Smallville. We don’t have to deal with Jonathan Kent’s death on screen again. In fact, the movie even begins mid-conflict, with Superman having lost his first battle. That alone is a far cry from any prior attempt at the Man of Steel, but Gunn never loses sight of the big picture. He maintains a comic book feel without ever making it too dark or gloomy. This SUPERMAN has the triumphant uplifting tone that was missing from so many prior film starring Krypton’s favorite son. Complete with a handful of fellow heroes, the Hall of Justice, the Daily Planet, and a devious scheme only the mind of Lex Luthor could come up with, it’s a comic book come to life on the big screen in all the best ways. Oh, and Superman’s dog Krypto is in it too, which certainly seemed to delight the audience I saw the film with.

A SUPERMAN movie doesn’t work without a good Superman actor, and newcomer David Corenswet proves to be exactly what this new DC Cinematic Universe called for. He may even the best actor to wear the cape since Christopher Reeve. This is a Superman who’s determined to do the right thing, but also one who’s a hero respected and revered by many, and when that respect is called into question, seeing how he deals with his crisis is quite relatable and powerful. He has a great chemistry with everyone in the movie, friend and foe alike. The movie also doesn’t forget about his relationship with Lois Lane, and isn’t afraid to show that even these two have their share of conflicts and different opinions. Corenswet delivers. Let’s hope he will be on the big screen for years to come.

And of course, a SUPERMAN movie needs a villain to match its hero. The character of Lex Luthor is a bit overused on the big screen, but luckily, actor Nicholas Hoult brings new life to the legendary criminal mind, giving us a steely-eyed but charismatic villain that’s every bit a match for the Man of Steel. A master manipulator, it’s amazing to see Hoult cast against type, and even more amazing to see him pull it off. If David Corenswet was the greatest Superman since Christopher Reeve, Hoult is the best Lex Luthor since Gene Hackman, and I love this no-nonsense take on the character.

Production design doesn’t disappoint either. Whether it’s the Fortress of Solitude, a desolate Middle Eastern border, a gap between dimensions, or the offices of the Daily Planet, SUPERMAN looks amazing. James Gunn has shown us what he can do on the big screen with a team of skilled cast and crew in the past and that’s truer than ever here. If the future DCU films get this same kind of treatment, it’s safe to say audiences are in for a fantastic big-screen comic experience. The film also offers a mid-credits and a post-credits scene, but these are more for humor and don’t really reveal anything about future movie plans.

SUPERMAN is a movie that reminds me of why I fell in love with cinema and comic books in the first place. James Gunn gets it. The casting, action scenes, and production design are all grade A. It’s a film that soars up, up, and away, like no film has since the first two starring Christopher Reeve. There are no agendas or convoluted elements needlessly trying to set up sequels. I came into this movie with Superman fatigue; I left believing a man could fly all over again. SUPERMAN is the summer blockbuster you’ve been waiting for. Very highly recommended!