On July 11, “Superman”, directed by the same James Gunn that directed Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy”, was released to theaters. Kicking off a new DC universe, the movie stars David Corenswet as Superman and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane. “Superman” is everything a superhero fan could want: it pushes Superman’s kindness, develops the hero’s allies and has memorably tense action scenes, all while staying true to DC’s comic roots.
The film follows Superman in his third year as a superhero as he faces defeat for the first time. This defeat ranges from media backlash to physically overpowering enemies. The movie explores what it means to be human and delves deep into the heart of who Superman really is.
I loved this movie. It was obvious how much care went into it and its casting was amazing. They didn’t use big names to draw their audience in; instead, they let their cast show off exactly why they were the perfect choice throughout the movie.
While the movie explored deep themes, it also made efforts to stay true to Superman’s lighthearted roots. Unlike many recent superhero movies’ trend towards all things dark and gritty, Corenswet depicts a Superman who cares deeply about everything. The film shows this through his words, but also through his actions. Corenswet’s Superman is constantly saving animals and individuals from danger, showcasing the character’s kindness. He is bright and hopeful, all the way down to his bright red trunks and vibrant costume.
Another shining feature of this movie was its background characters. It fleshed out the Daily Planet staff and gave them plot relevance. Lois Lane had a significant part to play in the film, and I loved how they developed her beyond a damsel in distress. “Superman” wasn’t afraid to let Lois be competent, and it made the movie all the better for it.
The movie also gave lesser-known comic heroes their time to shine and become instant fan favorites. The entire film feels like a love letter to all my favorite parts of DC. I have been watching and reading DC content since I was little, and seeing the small callbacks and character choices was so fulfilling.
Overall, this was a movie that had me leaving the theater with a wide smile. The movie was phenomenal, and I highly recommend it to any superhero fan who wants a break from the nihilism of recent superhero movies. “Superman” is a movie that reminds its audience that kindness, no matter how small, is worth its weight in gold.
