After two and a half years from Superman being announced, the time has come and the much anticipated film flies into theaters this week, marking the beginning of James Gunn’s DC Universe. Various reactions, reviews, and discussions are piling in, showcasing how big the Superman movie truly is. So what are people saying about the film?
Pumped up by DP Henry Braham’s dynamic camerawork, Beth Mickle’s imaginative production design, the effects team’s top-notch CG work and a galvanizing orchestral and synth score by John Murphy and David Fleming that weaves in the immortal John Williams theme, Gunn’s Superman is overloaded, even muddled at times, but relentlessly entertaining. Perhaps its biggest strength is that it sidesteps all the revisionist murk of superheroes onscreen in the last decade or two and reverts almost to an enchanting state of child-like wonder. – [David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter]
Ultimately, Superman accomplishes the task it set out to do. It establishes a new DC Universe with a clean slate and entry point for fans new and old. It reintroduces a Superman pulled straight out of the comics, with influences from every era to satisfy fans of all ages. The film provides a ton of escapism and an action-packed fantasy adventure, but also has enough gravitas that allows Superman to be an inspiring hero to a worldwide audience. – [Sheraz Farooqi, Cinema Debate]
As such, Superman is sure to be a crowd-pleaser for those who have spent the last three decades watching superhero movies, and for those who are new to the genre or have fallen off in recent years. After watching Superman, I’m more excited than ever to see what Gunn and Safran do with the DC Universe. – [Molly Freeman, ScreenRant]
Superman is a magnificent feat, a film that makes the Man of Steel fascinating in a way we’ve rarely seen on film, with a take on the hero that is trenchant, clever, and delightful. Gunn is paying tribute to the past while also making a very clear mark on this world’s future, crafting an introduction to the DCU that inherently makes the viewer want to know where this world goes from here. At this point, it’s rare for superhero films to give a sense of wonder and a reminder of how beautiful these films can be when executed well. But Gunn has brought optimism, hope, and care back to Superman. It ends up becoming one of the best DC films in years, and one of the best movies of the summer. This universe could be great, and Gunn has the light to show the way for where the DCU could go. – [Ross Bonaime, Collider]
On the production side, give major credit to production designer Beth Mickle, cinematographer Henry Braham and costume designer Judiana Makovsky, all regulars for the Gunn films. Music by John Murphy and David Fleming does what is expected, but the snippets we hear of John Williams’ immortal score for the 1978 classic just remind of the emotional power that is missing from this Superman which doesn’t try to compete, but plays in its own field. Whether it reignites the franchise or turns out to be another one-off remains to be seen. For me, in addition to its strong entertainment value, I see it with something to say about who we are, what we are becoming, and what we should aspire to. In that regard this could be the most political Superman of all, a good thing in a time where you really wish there was a Superman to save us all. – [Pete Hammond, Deadline]
Superman redefines the superhero genre for DC and gives them a stunning start to a new era of blockbuster films. Superman is one of the most comic book-y movies in the genre, and that is a huge plus for the newest entry in the DC pantheon. The movie will no doubt make fans who were very passionate about the previous iteration of the character feel more isolated than ever, as there is no trace of their less popular version of the character. Yet, with the effortless charm and joy Corenswet brings to the role of Superman, combined with an entire cast that has stunning chemistry, it’s hard not to see Superman as a success and a sign of great things to come. – [Jamie Parker, CBR]
The super-busy quality of “Superman” works for it and, at times, against it. The movie rarely slows down long enough to allow its characters to meditate on their shifting realities. That’s one reason it falls short of the top tier of superhero cinema (“The Dark Knight,” “Superman II,” “The Batman,” “Guardians”). I’d characterize the film as next-level good (a roster that includes “Iron Man,” “Thor,” “Batman Begins,” “Captain America,” and the hugely underrated “Iron Man 3”). Yet watching “Superman,” we register the layered quality of the conflicts, and we’re drawn right inside them. Gunn constructs an intricate game of a superhero saga that’s arresting and touching, and occasionally exhausting, in equal measure. Audiences should flock to it, though a question still hovers over the larger DC Universe: Even if you build it this well, will they come? – [Owen Gleiberman, Variety]
Superman has a lot to answer for, and it is largely successful in its effort. James Gunn reintroduces a superhero who has been notoriously difficult to conceive on the big screen with an entertaining and relevant interpretation. He doesn’t compromise his directorial voice, but rather shapes it around Superman’s earnestness, making an unlikely pairing feel surprisingly, charmingly right. He also tells a story about the role of self-actualization in superheroism that feels fresh, even if it skimps over the finer details for the sake of worldbuilding. Like its cousin, The Batman, Superman is a necessary breath of fresh air for the titular superhero and the DC banner, setting it on a course past its messy history towards a high-flying future. It’s the launching pad that Superman has always deserved. – [Brandon Lewis, Geek Vibes Nation]
Mostly everyone is in agreement that David Corenswet portrays Clark Kent/Superman beautifully, with some saying that he’s their favorite Superman portrayal. The same goes for co-star Rachel Brosnahan, as Lois Lane. They say she feels like an actual lead of the film, which has not always been the case for other adaptations. Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor adaptation is just another character that critics are raving about, who has been compared to the likes of Michael Rosenbaum’s Luthor. Some critics recognize that there’s a lot of characters [the Daily Planet, Justice Gang, etc.] that may make it seem ‘overstuffed’, but some also say that at least everyone gets a chance to shine.
One big over-arching theme is discussed a lot, which is the film’s political nature. A lot of critics discussed their refreshed feelings from the fact that Superman doesn’t hide from it’s political roots from the comics, as James Gunn confirmed to The Sunday Times.
“I mean, Superman is the story of America. An immigrant that came from other places and populated the country, but for me it is mostly a story that says basic human kindness is a value and is something we have lost.”
Superman lands in theaters worldwide on July 11th.
Are you excited about Superman? Let us know in the comments below!