Superman has been reviewed by George R. R. Martin, and his words sum up exactly how the DC Universe movie works. Martin is known for writing the Song of Ice and Fire series, as well as producing and writing its TV adaptation, Game of Thrones. Evidently, the first installment of the DCU’s Chapter One: Gods and Monsters worked for Martin.
By the time of Superman‘s ending, it was clear that the film worked for many others, too. Superman‘s box office receipts are still looking healthy, as are the film’s reviews from critics and audiences alike. This bodes well for upcoming DC movies, with Superman just the first cinematic installment in James Gunn’s DC Universe.
As this first step, there was pressure on Superman to succeed. As Martin so eloquently points out in his review, this pressure proved unfounded as Superman excelled in several ways.
George R. R. Martin’s Superman Review Covers Everything That Makes Superman Feel Special
Performances, Tone, & Comparison To Prior Movies
In Martin’s review, posted on his personal blog, he outlines the ways in which Superman feels special to so many people. Martin begins by outlining how well the sci-fi elements of Superman‘s origin story:
“This new Superman reminds me of the version I used to read about… the strange visitor from another planet who came to Earth with powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men.”
This largely comes from Gunn’s faithfulness to Silver Age DC Comics, which includes the sci-fi elements like the Fortress of Solitude and its Superman robots.
Martin also points out the performances of Superman‘s cast members. He insists Rachel Brosnahan is tied with Margot Kidder as the best Lois Lane ever, while going a step further for Nicholas Hoult by dubbing his Lex Luthor the best in history. Of course, Martin also gives Corenswet his plaudits: “The kid in the cape was excellent as well.”
Martin even begins his review by stating that Superman may be the best movie ever based on the Man of Steel. This is not an unpopular opinion, with many claiming the same since Superman was released. Overall, Martin sums up many of the ways Superman works.
Why George R. R. Martin’s Superman Review Is So Promising For The DCU
Martin Is No Stranger To Successful Franchises
Of course, the strong box office and the reviews of critics and audiences are important for Superman and the future of the DCU. That said, Martin’s review is arguably even more important concerning the latter point. The writer is no stranger to successful, mᴀssive franchises, with Game of Thrones being the perfect example.
Although the ending of the TV show was not well-received, Martin’s book series has been critically acclaimed. The worldbuilding in A Song of Ice and Fire is excellent, as it was in the video game Elden Ring, which Martin was the head of during production.
It is abundantly clear that Martin knows what makes a sprawling franchise with huge worlds successful, rendering his words about the DCU’s opening all the more important. For this reason, the future of the DCU is promising after Superman.
