The Man of Tomorrow. The Last Son of Krypton. The Man of Steel. The Big Blue Boy Scout. All of these titles signify and represent a different portion of Superman; what he embodies and protects. The new Superman movie produced by James Gunn encapsulates all of these different aspects of Superman in a nearly perfect way.
Superman movies almost always begin on the doomed alien planet Krypton, where his father sends him as an infant to Earth to escape the planet’s destruction. Instead of dropping us into the typical spaceship crash origin story we all know and love, the movie takes a different approach, similar to Kevin Feige’s “Spider Man: Homecoming”. The film gradually introduces us into a world where Clark Kent (David Corenswet) is already established as Superman, navigating his dual identity as a reporter for the Daily Planet, as well as his love life with Lois Lane (Rachael Brosnahan). He must balance his alien Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing, all while confronting a world that views his classic ideals of truth and justice as soft and outdated; suspicious, even.
The film’s plot centers on Superman’s conflict with a modern-day Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult), Superman’s primary antagonist and archenemy, as well as a tech billionaire who uses propaganda to turn public opinion against the hero. While battling Luthor and a variety of other threats, Superman’s inherent heroism and compassion shine through, capturing the fun and optimism of the character that previous adaptations *cough* SNYDER *cough* have sometimes missed, or even entirely ignored.
That’s right, some fans of previous films are expressing disappointment with the new Superman movie, arguing that its tone is a drastic and unwelcome shift, believing it lacks the realism that Snyder brought to the character. However, that critique misses the very essence of what makes this new Superman a resounding success with both old and new fans: his deeply human heart. While Zack Snyder’s version explored a god-like figure’s struggle with his place on Earth, James Gunn’s film focuses on the man inside the suit. This is a Superman who feels frustration, gets flustered, and is emotionally vulnerable. He’s driven by a very human compassion and the values instilled in him by his countryside upbringing. The movie reminds us that his greatest strength isn’t his power, but his humanity.
Popular reviews by avid comic-book enjoyers say that the film is “pure comic book bliss.” The film draws inspiration from various comic eras, particularly from Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely’s All-Star Superman. Old and new fans alike are praising the film’s faithfulness to the source material. As someone who’s watched the movie, I 100% agree. They nailed the “vibe” and atmosphere of the character, with an even focus on the Daily Planet and both Superman and Clark’s human connections. By leaning into Superman’s core traits and embodying the ideals of kindness and hope, it’s a fact that James Gunn’s Superman is positioned to be one of, if not the, best portrayals of the Man of Steel yet.
