Since it was announced in October 2022 that director James Gunn would be co-helming the brand-new DC Universe, or DCU, the first film was always going to need to set a new standard. Now, almost three years later, Gunn’s “Superman” has hit theaters, and it’s exactly the beginning that the DCU deserved.
The film follows Superman as he attempts to thwart the evil plans of billionaire Lex Luthor, all while maintaining his public image in his home city of Metropolis and preventing a war abroad. It stars David Corenswet as the titular hero; Rachel Brosnahan as his love interest, Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult as Luthor.
The main strength of the movie comes from the cast, which is perfectly put together. Despite being relatively new to the acting scene, both Corenswet and Brosnahan bring an inherent star power and chemistry to the screen reminiscent of the most seasoned of actors.
Hoult is the standout, however, as his villainous performance is the backbone of the movie. Gone are the days of the morally ambiguous foe that is right in their own way, as Luthor is purely there to be hated by the audience. He fills that role perfectly and turns in an infuriatingly impeccable performance that directly gives the viewer someone to root against.
Another strong aspect of the movie is Gunn’s direction. While the visuals and cinematography are both great, it’s the atmospheres that he creates on-screen that set the film apart. Metropolis is a grand and vast environment that truly feels alive, while the snow-laden atmosphere of Superman’s Fortress of Solitude feels icy and cold.
This creates a distinct, lived-in feeling that establishes the movie’s originality and makes it feel truly different than any other. The popping, bright visuals, along with the fast-paced story, also make another thing glaringly apparent — the movie feels like a comic-book.
It’s rare for a comic-book movie to actually emulate something about its source material aside from the basic story structure. However, in the case of “Superman,” everything about it feels like flipping through the latest issue of the Man of Steel’s adventures.
Similar to a comic, the story moves rapidly, the action is constant and all of the dialogue feels necessary and impactful. It’s a breath of fresh air in the comic-book movie landscape and it will undoubtedly serve as a blueprint for projects to come.
The only real negative is that while the story does move swiftly and gracefully, it does feel like it’s trying to juggle too many storylines at once. There are dozens upon dozens of different characters, andthus meaning that none of them outside of the main three get nearly enough time to shine.
As a whole, “Superman” triumphantly rises, or flies, above expectations and provides a fresh start for a new era of DC films. James Gunn creates a story that, while overstuffed, feels and looks like a comic-book. It’s a beautiful beginning to a universe that could turn into something special, and it’s exactly the Superman film that fans have been waiting for.
