For over eight decades, the world has been enthralled with one particular superhero named Kal-El, commonly known as Superman. First introduced in Action Comics #1, the alien metahuman became a symbol of hope and justice that has endured for 87 years, appearing in countless media adaptations.
In film alone, there have been more than a dozen movies, with another arriving on . This latest DC Universe entry stars David Corenswet (Pearl) and is written and directed by James Gunn (Guardians of the Galaxy). Will audiences brave the summer heat to see yet another take on the Man of Steel?
The familiar setup remains: Clark Kent works at the Daily Planet alongside Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan; Booksmart) and Jimmy Olsen (Skyler Gisondo). He dons glasses as a "disguise" (as if that actually fools anyone) and ducks out to fight crime. In this version, he halts a war between two countries and catches flak for meddling. Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult; X-Men: Days of Future Past) uncovers Superman's lair and plots his demise.
I'll admit Christopher Reeve was my Superman, and Henry Cavill made a strong impression, so I approached Corenswet skeptically. After watching, I see why he was cast; he handles the cape well, and he and Brosnahan share solid chemistry. A few well-placed cameos (no spoilers) round out a capable ensemble.
Hoult's Luthor, however, is the film's biggest misfire, though the blame really lies with the script. Yes, Luthor is evil and conniving, but this take feels like a bratty, spoiled man-child throwing a tantrum. His entourage is equally grating, and I found myself wishing Gunn had chosen a different villain altogether.
That brings us to the writing: hokey, cheesy, goofy, even cartoonish. Clark/Superman is portrayed as naïve; Ma and Pa Kent come off as country bumpkins (a far cry from the gravitas Kevin Costner and Diane Lane once brought); and elements like the proton river/black hole, Krypto the dog, and the garish suit all scream "Saturday-morning." Perhaps that's faithful to early comics, but it clashes with modern cinematic expectations.
The special effects are polished, and there are flashes of engaging storytelling, yet they aren't enough to offset the tonal whiplash. With DC's new leadership, I'd hoped the studio would finally rival Marvel again (especially given the MCU's recent slump), but that day still feels far off.
Superman will open huge-curiosity alone guarantees a monster first weekend-but word of mouth may drop it faster than a chunk of Kryptonite.
Grade: C-
