Director/writer James Gunn (Guardians of the Galaxy) is charged with reviving the DC Comics Universe, and the first building block is Superman, a reimagined and energized Man of Steel.
In Metropolis, Superman (David Corenswet) is a hero who meets his match with a mysterious, powerful villain with ties to Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) who has plotted to not only defeat Superman but turn the world against him. With support (via his alter ego Clark Kent) at The Daily Planet including Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan) and some meta friends, he finds himself against overwhelming forces and begins to question his purpose on Earth. Just when events appear hopeless, help comes from unlikely sources. Will it be enough to turn the tide against Luthor’s machinations?
Without delving into an origin story, the film jumps into its story with a fresh spontaneity that humanizes a fallible Superman (as he takes a beating at times). Displaying equal parts of humor and action, it verges on being everything it aspires to be, and though it isn’t perfect, give Gunn credit for opening up the narrative to make his super hero unique and vulnerable. Corenswet makes an ideal Superman, and his chemistry with Brosnahan is palpable. Furthermore, the introduction of super dog, Krypto, is a winner!
There
are the familiar tropes (The Fortress of Solitude), legacy characters (Jimmy
Olsen), and additions like Mr. Terrific and the Justice Gang in this world
building. With echoes of John Williams’
iconic theme, there are a couple of fun cameos and surprises, and while it compares favorably with the 1978 version,
it won’t displace Christopher Reeve’s definitive Superman. Still, if this is
an example of Gunn’s vision for DC Comics, then the franchise is in good hands.
(There are two minor post credit scenes.)
****
of ***** stars (especially for Krypto
fans)
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