DC Makes Major Comeback With Latest Iteration of “Superman”

Around summer 2022, James Gunn (who was made co-CEO of DC Studios then) not only began plans for a revamped DC movie universe, but also the first “Superman” movie since “Man of Steel” in 2013. After much anticipation, the Man of Steel’s return to the big screen is finally here! And, not only is it a good start of the new DC movie universe, it’s an incredible Superman adventure!

When Superman gets drawn into conflicts at home and abroad, his actions are questioned, giving tech billionaire Lex Luthor the opportunity to get the Man of Steel out of the way for good.

Will intrepid reporter Lois Lane and Superman’s four-legged companion, Krypto, be able to help him before it’s too late?

When I started seeing the trailers for the new “Superman,” I started to get really psyched for the new movie. I really enjoyed what James Gunn did with the “Guardians of the Galaxy” trilogy and once I saw what he was giving us with the trailers, I was hooked. If you’re a huge Superman fan or a comic book fan in general, you’ll likely enjoy this new iteration of the Man of Steel.

“Superman” delivers quite a few action-packed sequences that are visually stunning/ In fact, all of the visual effects throughout this movie are simply incredible. There are a few moments here and there that can get a little dark, but Gunn brings his humor to the movie to break some of the tension - and it works well!

From the very start, the new “Superman” hooks you right in and doesn’t let you go until the very end. At the very start, it’s revealed that “meta humans” have been around for many years and the movie skips the traditional origin story of Superman/Clark Kent, which I’m fine with since his origin is already well known and doesn’t need to be retold again.

This new iteration also delivers some really exciting action. There’s a stand out moment

that’s briefly shown in the trailers where wee see Superman fighting a Kaiju that’s really incredible and really fun to watch. There’s also another stand out action sequence that is featured in the movie that doesn’t even feature Superman!

This scene involves the superhero Mister Terrific (who’s part of the “Justice Gang” and can also steal the show) as he protects Lois Lane when they’re looking for Superman. During this scene he takes out a huge squadron of Luthor’s forces and this sequence brilliantly showcases Gunn’s comedic style of blending action and music.

The casting of this new movie is also really great. David Corenswet is incredible as the Man of Steel and his portrayal helps highlight his ability to capture the character’s hope, heroism and earnestness. He also has great on-screen chemistry with Rachel Brosnahan (Lois Lane), who also does a great job.

And, of course, I have to mention actor Nicholas Hoult. At first, I didn’t think he could pull off portraying the iconic Lex Luthor. But, after seeing him in the trailers and in the finished movie, he absolutely nails it. His portrayal is really spot on and is so close to being the best Lex Luthor (still can’t beat the acting legend Gene Hackman’s portrayal).

Overall, the new “Superman” is definitely a real fun watch and fans of the comic book series will surely enjoy this one!

Cast: David Corenswet (Superman/Clark Kent); Rachel Brosnahan (Lois Lane); Nicholas Hoult (Lex Luthor); Edi Gathegi (Michael Holt/Mister Terrific); Skyler Gisondo (Jimmy Olsen); Sara Sampaio (Eve Teschmacher); Wendell Price (Perry White); Nathan Fillion (Guy Gardner/Green Lantern); Isabela Merced (Kendra Saunders/Hawkgirl); Anthony Corrigan (Rex Mason/Metamorpho); Pruitt Taylor Vance (Jonathan Kent); Neva Howell (Martha Kent)

Writer/director: James Gunn (Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy; The Suicide Squad)

Trivia: Actor David Corenswet learned he had landed the role of Superman while filming the 2024 movie “Twisters.” The first trailer received 250 million online views within the first 24 hours, the second most of any film not released by Disney, after “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” with 356 million views. You can also find more trivia bits on my Wyoming County Press Examiner reviews page on Facebook.

MPA; Rated PG-13 for violence, action and language   (runtime 129 minutes)

Don’t forget to keep checking my Wyoming County Press Examiner reviews page on Facebook to see what else I have planned on the review front coming up! And here’s a look at what I have planned for the July 30 edition: “Smurfs” (new release); “The Life of Chuck” (Summer Film Festival); “Friendship” (Summer Film Festival); “Fantastic Four 2005”/”Rise of the Silver Surfer” (first time watching them!); “The Abyss” (past summer release).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ox8ZLF6cGM0

• Nathan Fillion insisted that Guy Gardner sport the same bowl cut he does in the comics.

• James Gunn cited Top Gun: Maverick as an inspiration for the way flight is depicted in this film. He also took inspiration from prior Superman directors Richard Donner and Zack Snyder, specifically citing inspiration from Snyder's action scenes.

• The first Superman film since Superman Returns (2006) to utilize John Williams's main theme from Superman (1978) as the character's main leitmotif in the film's score. James Gunn cited the theme as one of the greatest film scores of all time and associated it with the character of Superman since the beginning of development on this film.

• The inclusion of Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner marks the seventh time that Fillion has appeared in a film directed by James Gunn, continuing the tradition of the actor making an appearance in every one of Gunn's films, owing to the pair's longtime friendship.

• David Corenswet learned he had landed the role of Superman while filming Twisters (2024). He shared a video with the rest of the cast celebrating it.

• During the late 2000s and early 2010s, at the peak of Green Lantern's renewed popularity, Nathan Fillion was a very popular fancast for a live-action Hal Jordan, and went on to voice the character a few times in animation. In this film he finally gets to play a live-action Green Lantern, specifically Guy Gardner.

• Isabela Merced, who portrays 'Hawkgirl', had previously auditioned for the title role in Batgirl (a film that was unfortunately 'cancelled' from being released).

• The "Justice Gang" headquarter's name and appearance are identical to the Hall of Justice, the Justice League's base of operations in the 1973-85 animated series Super Friends.

• Originally titled "Superman: Legacy".

• The first trailer received 250 million online views within the first 24 hours, the second-most of any film not released by Disney, after Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), with 356 million views.

• James Gunn has mentioned famed Superman comic books "Superman for All Seasons" (1998), "Superman: Ending Battle" (2002), "Superman: Birthright" (2003-04), "All-Star Superman" (2005-08; which has been adapted as All-Star Superman (2011)) and "Superman: Brainiac" (2008; which has been adapted as Superman: Unbound (2013)) as inspirations for the film.

• James Gunn was first offered the chance to direct a Superman film in 2018, but he declined in favor of The Suicide Squad (2021).