One of the most anticipated movies of the year is now in theaters as director James Gunn (“Guardians of the Galaxy,” “The Suicide Squad”) debuts the first installment of the new DC Universe with “Superman.”
The movie follows our protagonist, Superman, with the hidden identity of Clark Kent as he navigates overseas battles, epic villains and his own identity. Gunn had a clear vision for this film, and it doesn’t go unnoticed. The visual style and storytelling immersed me into a world of cinematic fantasy that made me nostalgic for a child-like wonder I didn’t want to quite let go of.
David Corenswet (“Twisters,” “Pearl”), as our heroic protagonist, delivers a performance with the perfect blend of quirky jokes and brave acts throughout the film. He truly gave it his all for this role and the amount of work he put into this character is admirable.
I am not big into superhero films and rarely dip my toes into DC territory, but this film can truly be enjoyed by everyone – from seasoned DC superfans to moviegoers who want something that brightens up their day.
The movie has a lot of strong points from Superman’s comedic furry companion Krypto, the superdog that manages to annoy the hero any chance he gets. Then there’s the epic romance with Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan of “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” fame) and the incredible villain that is Lex Luthor, played by the talented Nicholas Hoult (“Nosferatu,” “The Menu”). Calling the chemistry between the cast “good” would be an understatement.
But the heart of this film doesn’t lie in its cinematography, CGI, or soundtrack – which were all amazing – but in the sense of hope that it exudes.
It’s the arc that Superman goes through throughout the film, which is figuring out what it means to love, care and protect the people around us – all the things that make us human. That is exactly what makes this film so special.
Not only is it a movie wrapped with love, light and life, it’s also marked with underlying political commentary that mirrors our current world.
This film speaks volumes about the state of our society, and its very clear message sheds light on the chance that there is hope for humanity after all.
“Superman” doesn’t just rely on suspense or action-packed plots to keep its audience engaged, but rather exemplifies what superhero movies were all about in the first place: hope. It provides viewers with a sense of aspiration that heals their inner child and leaves them learning about life lessons they didn’t sign up for but will be glad they were exposed to.
Grade: A+
