By Orion Baker/ Multimedia Editor Assistant
Duke Reviews: Superman
Note: This review contains spoilers. If you haven’t watched the film, I implore you to.
Easily one of the most anticipated movies of this year, Superman released on July 11 to critical and financial success. For the start of a new universe, with James Gunn at the helm of the new DCU initiative, does Superman break the superhero fatigue that has set in?
Up, Up and Away
“Superman” is easily one of the best superhero movies of the 2020s and arguably one of the best of its genre.
“Superman” works this well as it doesn’t fall victim to what movies in this genre do. While it is the start of a new universe, it’s not cameo reliant. It can stand on its own two feet and tell a full story without feeling too tied with over-reliant tropes in superhero films. However, it still has these tropes and issues here and there; however, it feels more justifiable as the story uses them to help “Superman” feel like a true comic come to life.
James Gunn proves once again why he is such a great director. The directing feels so on point for a superhero movie. Superheroes are strong and fast, but they are also charming, caring, and all-around a good person trying to do the right thing. With his work on the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy and The Suicide Squad in 2021, this fits in perfectly with his catalog.
Standouts
Other notable qualities I enjoyed were the cinematography, colors and set pieces. The camera, especially in action scenes, moves so fast with the characters, but doesn’t lose the focus of the scene. When Superman is flying, it feels like the camera is trying to follow him, and it works well. It adds such volume and speed to scenes that need the intensity. The vibrancy of the movie feels like it popped out of a comic. The colors are not only accurate but also very appealing. It helps with the effects and CGI to make a visually stunning film.
The music is also phenomenal. Superman’s theme is beautifully done, and the licensed songs add so much depth to scenes. For example, “Punkrocker” by The Teddybears and Iggy Pop complements the end of the movie brilliantly.
Also, the script writing? Super. There are multiple great lines and speeches that work excellently. I’ll give three examples:
- When Superman is being interviewed by Lois, he talks about how he was just trying to do good and help the Jarhanpurians. He mentions how he doesn’t represent any country or anyone—only himself and his actions. It felt so in line for Superman of all people to say this. This is Superman at his core—a beacon of good and hope.
- The punk rock discussion. When Superman talks about how he is punk rock, Lois questions him on that, saying that, “You trust everyone and think everyone you’ve ever met is, like, beautiful.” Superman responds, “Maybe that’s the real punk rock.” It’s such a simple line that holds such powerful meaning—how love and hope are inherently punk rock. It also ties in with the ending song of “Punkrocker.” Phenomenal.
- The speech Superman gives Luthor after the battle is over. Once Superman finishes and wins against Ultraman, he confronts Luthor. He condemns his actions in such a true comic way by giving a speech on being human. What it means to love and have compassion and hope, and how it is his greatest strength. It is felt in character, and to have Luthor—a human—told off on how to be human by Superman, an alien from a different planet, is poetic.
Comic Accurate Cast
The cast in this film is a huge standout to me. David Corenswet as Superman portrays a powerful, hopeful and inspiring hero, versus previous interpretations. Nicholas Holt as Lex Luthor is easily one of the top three casting choices in this film. Luthor is a true hater, through and through, and Holt plays him fantastically. There are plenty of amazing shoutouts for this cast, like:
- Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner (one of my personal favorites).
- Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane (amazing chemistry with Corenswet).
- Edi Gatthegi as Mister Terrific.
- And most of the supporting cast, to be honest.
The Plot of it All
The story is kind of predictable and cliché. Superman gets framed as a villain which leads to more public distrust thanks to Lex Luthor. Superman turns himself in, and then the supporting cast helps him out, proves his innocence, beats the bad guy, etc. That being said, it’s still really fun and flows like a comic.
This is helped by the two main conflicts: Luthor using his power/dominance to ruin Superman’s image and the conflict of the Boravian invasion of Jarhanpur. These two work hand in hand and help make the conflict more believable than, for example, some multiversal threat. Despite that, the third conflict—with the fabric between universes tearing—felt unnecessary and added to a bloated plot. If the movie kept the conflict between the Boravian and Jarhanpur people—with Luthor orchestrating everything—it would have been a lot more compelling. I think the social commentary done with this conflict in our current world is powerful and says a lot.
The clashing two conflicts of the universe fabric tearing and the Boravian invasion set up an example of a trolley problem or a moral dilemma for Superman.
Either:
Save Metropolis or Save the Jarhanpurians
While it’s a fun concept in theory, it isn’t executed as I would have liked. Superman chooses to save Metropolis and has the Justice Gang help stop Boravia. It felt like a big cop-out, but the Justice Gang fighting the Boravian forces was a spectacle to watch.
I enjoyed the way Superman and Luthor played against each other, being true counterparts in terms of values and morale.
Scoring & Conclusion
Score: 9.5/10
This movie is probably one of my favorite films I’ve watched this year. It’s entertaining, compelling, moving and a true showcase of what the superhero genre can be. How it should be less of a CGI showcase or distortion of the soul of iconic characters. An example of distorting a character’s soul can be see with Zach Snyder’s “Man of Steel.” In that film, Superman is less of a beacon of hope, but more of unmovable force. That Superman jumps over a gas tank that goes into a building full of people to “look cool.” In stark contrast, this Superman is able to fight off a kaiju and save citizens while doing so, including a squirrel.
I feel as though this movie will go down in history in the same vein as Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man films. Purely iconic, purely super.
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