Superman – Review

Cert – 12, Run-time – 2 hours 9 minutes, Director – James Gunn

After stopping one country invading another, Superman (David Corenswet) becomes a figure of international controversy, something pushed and used by Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) to finally defeat him.

The trailers for James Gunn’s Superman, the first entry in his and Peter Safran’s relaunched big screen DC universe, didn’t give a great deal away in terms of plot and instead hinted at a very busy affair. On seeing the plot it’s clear why that wasn’t used a selling factor – Superman (David Corenswet) dealing with the consequences of having stopped a war between two countries? Geopolitics isn’t quite what you want to sell your big summer superhero blockbuster on.

Yet, with the directions this narrative goes in, via way of corporate-financed heroes and pocket universes, there’s a symbol in the latter stages of the film that made me feel genuinely emotional. The 1978 adaptation of the iconic character, which to this day still means that Christopher Reeve is synonymous with the character, is a film full of hope; a patriotic tale of an American-based hero out to save the world and do good. It’s nice to feel that sense of hope again.

Leaning away from the tone of sci-fi romps such as Guardians Of The Galaxy and The Suicide Squad, Gunn still brings in a couple of chuckles here and there but understands that that style simply doesn’t work for Superman. This is a film where people wear silly costumes and dogs can fly (superdog Krypto is a force of joyous chaos throughout) and yet with the powers that are on display, and indeed the colourful nature, there’s an air of things being taken seriously so that ridiculousness doesn’t overpower. Although, there is the occasional nod and acknowledgement of some of the ‘from the world of comic books’ abilities here and there which brings in instances of humour – especially when it comes to the unofficially titled ‘Justice Gang’ featuring Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion), dead-pan Mr Terrific (Edi Gathegi) and the slightly pushed aside Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced).

The presence of these characters shows Gunn’s love and knowledge of comic books and there are clearly many characters and references for fans which may lead to further exploits for Superman or other figures who crop up here. And yet, the film as a whole avoids feeling so busy. As the hero deals with the follow-on attacks by Ultraman, who may have links to Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult really getting into the role of scheming, evil tech billionaire), the country of Boravia (whose president, played by Zlatko Bravic, has an air of Ken Dodd about his looks, but quite the opposite about his attitudes) inches closer to invading neighbour Jarhanpur. Growing international tensions and a race against time.

From the opening scene there’s a sign of a slightly flawed figure, or at least someone not always with the upper-hand as we’re told that Superman has just lost his first battle, three years after announcing himself to the world. Weaknesses come up a handful of times and there is an emotional nature to this take on the character, somewhat refreshing after the DCEU’s grittier, more fuelled-by-anger take. Corenswet steps into the cape with confidence and helps to bring about some of that sense of hope in his performance and strive to do good across the world. To save people. I believed him as Superman. In this take he and Clark Kent are very much the same, we see little of the latter guise, the relationships with Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane and his adoptive parents on Earth (Neva Howell and Pruitt Taylor Vince), all aware of his secret identity, hint that there’s not as much of a performative nature to Clark and that he is simply part of Superman.

Yet, amongst all of this, the stakes at play and the elements of geopolitics, there’s an thoroughly entertaining film here. One that avoids feeling weighed down by all it features, although could perhaps have ten minutes cut from it, and creates an enjoyable, colourful comic book adaptation. A film that, for the first time in a long time, really gets across the idea of hope that Superman symbolises and strives for. It feels nice to feel that sense of hope, especially in this time and with what the film deals with as a part of its narrative – again, featured alongside all the unashamed comic book elements which fit right into the blend that makes up this particular iteration of Metropolis and beyond. Superman is once again a great time at the cinema.

Colourful, funny and entertaining yet never overblown, David Corenswet’s Superman returns the sense of hope to the character and his fight for peace. The action is punchy and there’s a lot to enjoy within both the comic book and geopolitical takes of good vs evil.