Courtney Howard // Film Critic
SUPERMAN
Rated PG-13, 2 hours and 9 minutes
Directed by: James Gunn
Starring: David Corenswet, Nicholas Hoult, Rachel Brosnahan, Skyler Gisondo, Nathan Fillion, Edi Gathegi, Isabela Merced, Maria Gabriela de Faria, Sara Sampaio, Pruitt Taylor Vince
In a world filled with toxicity, having anyone view compassion and kindness as “punk rock” feels like radical, progressive thinking. Thankfully there are filmmakers who continue to value those throwback qualities, packaging those sentiments in a compelling hero’s journey. James Gunn’s SUPERMAN is an awesome achievement and hopeful balm, honoring past iterations (both in the comics and cinema) while cutting its own path. Brimming with energy, vibrancy, heart and humor, this picture absolutely soars.
We begin our adventure in an unlikely place for a superhero, specifically the strongest metahuman on the planet: Superman’s (David Corenswet) rock bottom. He’s bloodied and battle-worn by a nemesis commanded by war monger Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) and desperately needing a recharge in his wintery hideaway, the Antarctica-located Fortress of Solitude. The megalomaniacal billionaire businessman is busy scheming to strike a deal with the U.S. government to use his superhuman task force – The Engineer (Maria Gabriela de Faria), Ultraman and a fleet of fully-armored Raptors – to be used as war machines. But in order to do so, he first needs to turn the world against their super savior.
As Superman’s alter-ego Clark Kent balances his job as a journalist at the Daily Planet newspaper with the demands of his burgeoning relationship with intrepid reporter Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan), Luthor sets up a series of distractions to vanquish his foe. The first involves the corporate-owned Justice Gang (a name being this film’s Long Running Gag) – Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion), Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced) and Mr. Terrific (Edi Gathegi) – in a battle against a giant kaiju attacking Metropolis. He also launches a ruthless smear campaign in the media, leading Superman into a crisis of confidence. Yet, as Supes’ situation grows dire, so does the precarious political balance between two desert nations. It then becomes questionable if the spandex-suited hero can, not just will, summon the strength to save the world.
Hewing closely to the comics created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster in the 1930s, Gunn crafts his own heartrending, powerful immigrant tale about an alien raised by farmers reckoning with his own humanity and his life’s purpose to save humankind from monstrous threats, corrupt institutions, fascism and oligarchs. Emotions are earned at all times. Easter Eggs are scattered throughout in a way that never acts as fan-service, distracting from the narrative momentum. They range anywhere from production design elements originated in the animated SUPER FRIENDS series to tertiary cameo appearances by Gunn’s acting troupe from his previous films (which I won’t spoil, but I caution everyone to stay away from IMDB).
It doesn’t shortchange us on the spectacle either. Big Action Set Pieces come with tangible internal and external stakes. Superman rescuing an alien baby in a fully CGI environment carries the same joyful uplift as him rescuing a young human girl in a practical environment. The sequence involving Lois and Mr. Terrific’s touchdown on Luthor’s desert camp displays an exhilarating sense of rhythm, pacing and fluid control of the camera and characters. Plus, the film houses a solid “Pope in the Pool” gag, where Clark and Lois are having a heart-to-heart as the Justice Gang fend off a pesky dimensional imp in the background.
Corenswet has that heroic shimmer necessary to make his dual role searing and endearing. He wisely doesn’t ape Christopher Reeve’s work, instead delivering a performance that embodies a different facet of the character’s struggles. It’s a refreshing take on a familiar beloved icon. His fearless drive is always at the forefront of the action. His broken hurt is palpable, best showcased in scenes with Pa Kent (Pruitt Taylor Vince), who delivers one of the best soul-healing dad pep talks on-screen in quite some time. Hoult is always exceptional. But he’s delightfully diabolical as the bald-as-a-cue-ball tech tyrant, seething with envy, arrogance and selfishness (one not too dissimilar from someone who bought his way into our own government system).
Brosnahan’s performance is on par with Margot Kidder’s terrific, indelible work. She infuses her character with vim, vigor and gumption. She has great chemistry with Corenswet, as glimpsed in their whip-smart repartee and plucky banter. As for the supporting players, Gathegi, Skyler Gisondo (who plays stringer Jimmy Olsen), and Sara Sampaio (who plays Luthor’s ditzy, selfie-obsessed girlfriend Eve Teschmacher) steal the spotlight. Olsen’s reinvention as a ladies’ man is truly inspired in Gisondo’s capable hands, lending a sparkling comedic levity to the proceedings. Gathegi nimbly negotiates fluctuating tones with assured aplomb. Sampaio is hilarious, intuitively giving her bombshell added depth and dimension.
There are a few minor blights. Though easily forgivable given Gunn’s admirable thematic sentiments that anyone can be a hero standing against authoritarian oppression, the narrative occasionally trips itself up, forgetting to finish a few thoughts. While blessedly not nearly as ropey and rubbery as the disembodied media clips appear, visual effects could’ve benefitted from a little extra time baking in the oven. Still, within the context of the picture, they’re well-integrated, fittingly animated and carry significant emotional weight, whether it be Krypto the Superdog’s expressions or the prison break sequence.
Over the years, we’ve seen many iterations of Superman in pop culture portrayed on comic book pages and the silver screen. Yet each incarnation upholds the fundamental cornerstones of the character who stands for truth and justice. Gunn and co launch their rebooted DC Universe on an exciting high note, replete with the introduction of another reimagined spin-off character at the end. It’s clear this era is going to be a fun, thrilling ride.
Grade: B+
SUPERMAN opens in theaters on July 11.
