Details from IMDB:
Superman
Superman must reconcile his alien Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing as reporter Clark Kent. As the embodiment of truth, justice and the human way he soon finds himself in a world that views these as old-fashioned.
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Initial Thoughts:
I’ve loved Superman since I was a kid, as I’ve said before he is my 2nd favorite comic book character and I was really excited to see what James Gunn would do with him and the jumpstart of the new DC movie/TV verse (I don’t remember the name, not that it matters). I didn’t go opening weekend as I wanted to avoid some crowds but this weekend I went before anything else got spoiled.
Main Points:
I suppose it’s worth saying this is a SPOILER review. I really liked how this movie gets going, there is no origin story (we don’t need it of course, everyone knows Clark’s beginning) and we just jump into Superman has lost his first fight and goes back to fortress of solitude to heal up. I have heard people complain about Krpto, that there is too much of him, but I disagree I found he was fun and there is just the right amount. I’ll get my only important gripe out of the way, I thought the story moves a little too quickly and it feels a little too jam-packed. I mean it has a lot to do with the re-launch of the DCU, lots of new characters and tying in just a little to what happens before. While there is no mention of Suicide Squad (at least that I caught) we do get a great cameo from Peacemaker and of course a quick one of Sean Gunn, as the new Maxwell Lord, and we do see a little bit of Milly Alcock as Supergirl.
I thought David Corenswet did a great job as Clark/Superman, same goes for everyone involved, I really liked the new take on Eve Teschmacher and Nicholas Hoult was excellent as Lex Luthor. I’ve always loved Nathan Fillion and his is excellent as Guy Gardner, I am really looking forward to seeing him more. I’m sure I missed a bunch but look closely for Easter Eggs and fun cameos, lots of voices you’ll know and I really appreciated nods to previous Superman movies, including III and even IV. Mr. Terrific was excellent and I really enjoyed Metamorpho, DC has lots of amazing and unusual characters and it’s great to see them explored. The Engineer was cool in this too as was Hawkgirl. There are some political points/views/moments but it’s like I was saying to my friend John, comics have always been about making statements and I thought it was well done and important, if you don’t feel that way you don’t know comics and shouldn’t be watching this movie. There are also some really emotional parts and I found myself tearing up and was glad I sat mostly off to the side in a less than 1/4 full theatre (it was 1230pm on a warm sunny Saturday). All of that said the movie is full of hope and optimism and also about how good will triumph over evil and people will, eventually, do the right thing.
Final Thoughts:
I loved this movie, James Gunn did it, he finally made a great Superman movie, one that is a true sequel to Christopher Reeve’s not just with an excellent story but with the same heart, joy, hope and excitement I had with the first one when I was a kid. Stay right to the end for a mid and post-credit scenes that don’t reveal anything but are nice. I was so glad at the end when I walked out there were three teenagers talking about it, 2 women 1 guy, and they all sounded so happy and excited for Superman and what James Gunn will do for DC movies. Young people loving Superman gives me hope for the world, especially if there are more women enjoying it as I have always believed all fandoms are better with diversity of fans. Despite all my praise I do think this would have been better with either less stuff in it, or a lot more and have it spread out over 2 movies or even a mini-series, that said I give it a very solid 8.5 out of 10. I highly recommend this to any DC fan and of course for any Superman fan it’s a must see. I saw this in IMAX and it was well worth it, the sound was great and there are some excellent action scenes and really cool flying shots of Supes. There are a few curse words, some blood and some mature content, so ages 14+, people brought young kids in my theatre which I don’t think is a good idea. Go see this multiple times! I’d like to see it at least once more.