My Superman is finally here.
I say that like I’ve always been a fan of Superman, even if admittedly, I’m not so. Growing up, I never really saw the appeal of a powerful alien making his way to Earth and trying to fit in with humans when he already looks so, well, human.
For the most part, his story felt too “boy scout” for me. He was good, there was no doubt about that, so what was so enticing about his story? Other DC characters like Batman or Wonder Woman felt more my speed. At least Wonder Woman was someone I could aspire to be as a young girl, and Batman’s edgy and grittier stories were captivating growing up. Superman just felt too boring.
Then Zack Snyder’s version came in. I look back on that era of Superman and, even then, I didn’t see the appeal. Controversial opinion: I don’t love the Zack Snyder version of the character, either. I see the appeal and the exploration of his character in his run of the movies but…there was still something missing. He felt like Batman with all his brooding seriousness and strong jawline. God among men, and yet so alien. It didn’t resonate with me.
Maybe it’s because I’m older, or maybe the state of the world has made me weary. But when I saw the trailer for Superman, I finally saw the appeal. He was bright, strong, goofy, and overall, a pillar of hope at a time when the world feels like it has only grown darker as months pass. Superman has come flying in to inspire something in us to carry on.
Upon the release of the movie, I spent P1,000 for one of the best seats in an IMAX theater 30 minutes away from home to ensure that this experience would be nothing but the best I could afford. I knew this would be good, based on the trailers alone. I’m no movie connoisseur, but I like to say I have a sense when I know something is good. Admittedly, I’ve yet to be proven wrong.
But is it worth the watch? A hundred times yes, and then some.
James Gunn’s love for the Man of Tomorrow shows throughout the movie. There’s just something about this Superman that hits way differently from the boy scout stereotype. The excitement and tension are palpable throughout the movie. Call this movie a jet, because it had me and my emotions zooming all throughout. Gunn’s high-octane, extremely well-choreographed action sequences have you on the edge of your seat, while the more solemn moments of the movie leave you in tears.
Gunn’s characterizations of so many iconic characters, like Lois Lane, Lex Luthor, and even Clark Kent himself felt “correct.” Not that there was a right way to explore characters and their stories. But you feel the way Gunn put in time and effort to ensure that any and all choices made were justified and done with plenty of care.
Modern iterations of Lois Lane see her strong-willed and intelligent, yet often used as a simple plot device for Superman to “save.” She often takes a passive role, whereas Rachel Brosnahan’s version of her sees her take an active role. She doesn’t wait for things to happen; she makes them happen. You see how indispensable she is to the plot because, if not for her, Superman might not have made it to the end of the movie’s runtime. She is spunky, intelligent and truly irreplaceable in the Superman mythos.
Rachel Brosnahan’s version of Lois Lane doesn’t wait for things to happen; she makes them happen. You see how indispensable she is to the plot
Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor is fleshed out, human, and comically angry. He is a genius turned madman by envy, and he is acutely aware of it. Every time he was onscreen, I couldn’t bear to look away. He plays the perfect villain to Superman. Thinking about it now, it’s been so long since I’ve seen a villain of his caliber on screen, as opposed to an antagonist. For context, though villains and antagonists are played opposite the protagonist, antagonists are simply opposing the protagonist, whereas a villain is characterized by his immoral and evil actions.
Lex Luthor is unequivocally a villain, and I love that. I needed to see this on screen played against a Superman of David Corenswet’s caliber, as well. What is especially played well is all the juxtapositions that both characters present to the audience. Both played with plenty of nuance and heart—one golden and the other as dark as night.
Finally, what about Clark Kent himself? With Corenswet, we see him in everything that makes Superman, well, Superman. He is passionate towards the people he saves, carrying a righteous anger against injustices in the world. He sees each life as someone worth saving, and would rather risk his reputation and mental well-being (kind of hard to worry about his physicality when he’s bulletproof) to save anyone and everyone, animal companions included. He’s dorky and awkward and even has his own moments of brooding when he feels the weight of the world on his strong shoulders. Where Snyder leaned into the darker aspects of the character, Gunn highlights why he would even brood in the first place, and why his character is more than just a boy scout.
We’re reminded in this film why being kind and compassionate aren’t weaknesses. Gunn and Corenswet cite a specific run of the comics where these themes are central to the narrative. Superman is the epitome of hope and he tells us that, even if we feel we are alone, that we can be our own heroes. If even a god among men has human struggles and can get through them, so can we.
This is especially true towards the end, when Superman dialogues with Lex Luthor. We see that, for all the glory and strength about him, he is human through it all. No matter where we come from or what expectations are placed on us, we are capable of breaking the mold and doing good. There is strength within us, though it may not be superhuman, that can triumph over all.
A message like that is needed nowadays, given everything the world has been going through. I am excited to see where the DC Universe (DCU) goes from here, especially with James Gunn as co-CEO of the DCU. I make the joke that Gunn is the savior of heroes, and a herald for unknown ones. I wonder how many more times he’ll end up saving cinematic universes at this point, because there seems to be a trend with the projects he picks up.
Regardless, I hope this encourages people to see the movie, as I would love to see more characters get the Gunn DCU movie treatment. And maybe, finally, Marvel can bring in the box-office numbers now that there is buzz around Superman.
It’s almost comical how Superman is only now becoming the DCU’s Beacon of Hope—the way his character was meant to be, since his creation 87 years ago.
