Superman: Stream or Skip?
If anything can drive away negativity and irony, it might just be Superman. Directed by James Gunn, the latest DC film attempts to recapture the character’s original essence. Gunn, known for his affectionately crafted stories in the Marvel universe, seems poised to do the same for this iconic hero. David Corenswet takes on the title role, while Rachel Brosnahan, famous for her role in “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” plays Lois Lane, adding to the film’s appeal. It has received a warm reception so far, raking in nearly $600 million and giving fans a sigh of relief as they longed for a return to the classic Superman. Struggling through thick plots, CGI (so much CGI), and a smattering of discomfort, it’s a mixed bag, to say the least.
Key Points: Superman (Corenswet) faces his challenges but keeps things family-friendly—he doesn’t resort to colorful language. One of his first tweets after placing a robot in a healing ray is simply “Gorry.” After losing a fight, one might expect some stronger words from him, but he remains steadfast in his ideals of truth and justice. There’s something endearing about his insistence on thanking his robots, who aren’t programmed to respond but appreciate his kindness nonetheless. In a confrontation with Ultraman, a minion of the villainous Lex Luthor (Nicholas Holt), the title card flashes with big bold letters—”Superman”—setting the tone for what’s to follow.
Taking a deep breath here, the film has an extensive exposition. Superman has been a public figure for three years and is now entangled in a romance with Lois Lane, who knows he’s Clark Kent, her colleague at the Daily Planet. A standout sequence features Superman granting Lois an exclusive interview, layered with commentary about their personal and professional lives. His actions have sparked debate; for instance, some view his intervention in a political conflict as misguided. But Superman doesn’t mind the scrutiny—he’s saved lives. However, their relationship seems to hit a wall as they navigate these complications.
Metropolis is populated with another group of “Metahumans” in a “Justice Gang,” including an engineer employed by Rex and a hilariously bowl-cut Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion). Daily Planet reporter Jimmy Olsen relies on a dimly lit source, Eve, for information, as Luther aims to exploit Superman’s presence, there’s a tangible hate brewing against him globally that feels a bit… unquantifiable.
What does this remind you of? The movie carries echoes of the 1978 classic Superman, interspersed with quirkiness reminiscent of Gunn’s “Guardians of the Galaxy.”
Performance Worth Watching: You might be surprised to see Nathan Fillion steal scenes with his comedic talent. Corenswet brings a vibrant energy to Superman, though Brosnahan shines as the standout performer.
Memorable Conversation: Amid the chaos, what truly bothers our characters is the backlash on social media, perfectly summarized with the hashtag “#Supersit.”
Sex and Skin: Well, there’s nothing of that sort here.
Our Take: Overall, it feels like a jumble of ideas, with the plot struggling under the weight of numerous components. It touches on real-world issues—think social media’s toxicity—but it barely scratches the surface. While there’s an attempt to showcase Superman’s virtues influenced by his Kryptonian upbringing, it often gets lost amidst a dimly lit, overly complex narrative.
By the end, the climax features the typical superhero showdown, filled with loud and bright CGI, although some moments—including Corenswet and Brosnahan’s interactions—do hold promise. Unfortunately, a final battle scene ends up drowning in too much chaos, making it hard to stay invested. It sometimes feels like a confused mix of superhero elements and social commentary, returning to the same tropes and, honestly, it could have benefited from clearer storytelling.
Our Call: Given all this, it’s hard to recommend. Just skip it.
