Over the last few decades, Hollywood has seen a rise in superhero movie franchises — namely, the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But while the Marvel franchise has soared to spectacular heights, DC has struggled to reach comparable peaks. However, that all seems poised to change with James Gunn’s Superman.
Under previous regimes, the DC Extended Universe failed to find its footing. Although there were some hits, like the well-reviewed Wonder Woman and the $1 billion success of Aquaman, it always seemed like the DCEU was stumbling a few steps (if not more) behind the MCU. Enter James Gunn and Peter Safran, who were hired to head DC Studios.
Now, DC Studios is launching their new, quasi-rebooted DC Universe franchise, picking and choosing elements from the defunct DCEU for their nascent superhero world. One of those rebooted elements is Gunn’s Superman, with David Coresnwet taking over the role of Clark Kent and his superhero alter ego from Henry Cavill.
Gunn, who wrote and directed Superman, is no stranger to superhero franchises, having made a name for himself by launching the cosmic side of the MCU with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1. After two successful sequels, Gunn departed Marvel and is spearheading the creative side of the DCU, starting off with the franchise’s biggest and most important release.
Gunn taking on one of DC’s most iconic characters and leading a whole franchise was an interesting choice. The filmmaker has an offbeat sense of humor and a unique storytelling approach that doesn’t always work for me. But I’ve always appreciated the way he cares about his characters. That, more than anything else, comes through in Superman.
At its heart, Superman is a story about wrestling with idenтιтy, especially in a world where so much perception of self can be dictated by those around us — whether that’s our parents, social media, or other loved ones. Gunn brings his typical humor, which is softened a bit for broader audiences, and his flair for fun, exciting action scenes. In the end, Superman is a superhero movie for everyone.
Superman Is The Perfect Start To The DC Universe
James Gunn & Peter Safran Are Overseeing The New Franchise
It’s impossible to talk about Gunn’s Superman without discussing its place in the larger superhero movie landscape. Much has been said about superhero movie fatigue and the struggles of the MCU in recent years, particularly Marvel’s declining box office returns. It would seem like a tough arena to launch a new superhero franchise, but Superman is exactly what we need.
Although the DCU is only a quasi-reboot, there’s nothing audiences need to know or projects they have to have watched before seeing Superman. You don’t even need to be familiar with the Superman character and his origin story to enjoy Gunn’s movie. Although Gunn skips the full Kal-El/Clark Kent origin story, it’s explained well enough for newcomers to understand.
Superman is a refreshing entry in the superhero film genre because it requires so little homework. Undoubtedly, there’s something rewarding about a movie like Thunderbolts*, which capitalizes on its characters’ histories in the franchise, but after so many years of needing prior knowledge for superhero movies, it’s nice to go into Superman and see a fresh start, and without the tired origin story.
David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan & Nicholas Hoult Lead A Pitch-Perfect Cast
Edi Gathegi’s Mister Terrific Is A Breakout In Superman
Gunn’s Superman script is a clever superhero romp, but the actors bringing it to life are perfectly cast. David Corenswet deftly showcases a multifaceted version of the Man of Steel — from the unᴀssuming Clark Kent to the pᴀssionate Superman. There’s an incredible warmth to his iteration of the character that hearkens back to classic interpretations, and will make him a new favorite.
Rounding out the core cast are Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor, both of which bring out different sides of Superman. Corenswet and Brosnahan’s chemistry pops onscreen, ensuring their relationship feels real and emotional. Similarly, Corenswet and Hoult have a fascinating dynamic that crackles with an antagonistic tension, making them compelling arch-enemies.
Perhaps the biggest surprise of Superman for me, though, was Edi Gathegi’s scene-stealing turn as Mister Terrific. He’s part of the Justice Gang, alongside Nathan Fillion’s Guy Gardner/Green Lantern and Isabela Merced’s Hawkgirl, but he’s wildly entertaining. All the superheroes have interesting interpersonal relationships that add depth to Superman’s world, but Mister Terrific is the most interesting of the bunch.
Beyond the superheroes, there’s also a cast of characters populating The Daily Planet who have much less to do, but equally flesh out the world of Gunn’s DC Universe. My only real disappointment with Superman is that some of the supporting characters felt a little underdeveloped, but considering the movie is about Corenswet’s hero, it’s understandable.
Superman Is A Superhero Movie For All Audiences
James Gunn Delivers A Terrific Summer Blockbuster
Ultimately, Superman is the perfect summer blockbuster. It has plenty of action, humor and heart to keep audiences engaged for the little over two-hour runtime, while offering something unlike any other superhero movie we’ve seen before. Gunn has managed to take a well-known, beloved character and give him a refreshingly original story that stays true to its roots.
I had high hopes for Superman, both as a new take on the DC icon and as the launchpad for the DC Universe, and Gunn’s film managed to reach or surpᴀss all of them. There were enough surprises that are sure to please even the most diehard of fans, even as Superman remains a movie sure to be entertaining for the whole family. It’s a classic-feeling superhero movie without feeling tired.
As such, Superman is sure to be a crowd-pleaser for those who have spent the last three decades watching superhero movies, and for those who are new to the genre or have fallen off in recent years. After watching Superman, I’m more excited than ever to see what Gunn and Safran do with the DC Universe.
