I’ll be honest with you all, I never watched the Henry Cavill Superman movies. Something about them felt off, and the darker tone of DC films during that era wasn’t what I was looking for in a superhero movie (Batman being the obvious exception). When I think of Superman, I think of my childhood. I remember the pure joy of sitting in my Grandad’s living room, watching Christopher Reeve soar across the television screen. So when the credits rolled and I still had a smile on my face, my mind immediately raced back to those moments with him. It was a quiet return to that little living room, that wide-eyed kid, that feeling. That, to me, is what a great superhero movie should do: take you back to a place of hope, wonder, and joy. It doesn't have to be perfect; in fact, this film is far from it. But it’s bright, endearing, and a lot of fun. And sometimes, that’s all you need in a movie.
James Gunn’s Superman skips the set-up and drops us straight into the heart of the action. I understand why some people have an issue with that, but for how many times we’ve seen Krypton explode and Lois discovering her coworker is a superhero, another 30 minutes of world-building feels unnecessary. The plot mirrors our real political climate, with the central conflict being a war between the two nations, Jarhampur and Boravia. The latter, clearly modelled after a colonising power, plans on invading Jarhampur through brutal force. Lex Luther plays an intermediary of sorts, aligning himself with the Netanyahu-esque leader of Boravia for monetary gain. Sound familiar? Not only is this seemingly pro-Palestine, or at least anti-colonial, but it is also very proudly pro-immigration. Some people were surprised by how Hollywood would allow such a “woke” film to be made, but I think people underestimate filmmakers. Sure, the major studios still have deep-rooted ties to Zionist interests, but in a year where a Palestinian filmmaker took home the Oscar for Best Documentary, maybe we oughta have a little more faith in this industry. While I try not to engage too much in film Twitter discourse, I have seen the accusations of “white saviourism”, with fellow leftists saying we’re projecting real-life conflict onto a generic superhero flick. And to that I say - please, for the love of God, take a day off. Not every film that touches on real issues is a Trojan horse for bad faith storytelling. Sometimes, it’s just about hope, resistance, and standing up for what’s right. Even if the guy doing it wears spandex and a cape.
Out of the whole cast, Nicholas Hoult takes the cake. While his portrayal of Lex Luthor didn't quite have the same theatrical flair as Gene Hackman’s, his brutal evilness is captivating in a way that recent movie villains can't compare. What makes it even more unsettling is that he’s funny. He’s sharp and sarcastic in a charmingly twisted way. I’ve noticed a current trend of people wanting their heroes and villains to fall in a grey area of morality. The villains need to have a heartbreaking backstory or a philosophical world domination plan that makes you think, “Well, maybe he has a point”. And the hero can't just be good for goodness’ sake because that's naive and unrealistic. But instead, this movie is as black and white as it gets. It embraces the old-school morality of classic superhero storytelling. David Corenswet’s Superman is the pure embodiment of good, so good, in fact, he literally saves a squirrel from getting squished. Meanwhile, Lex Luthor is evil, full stop. No tragic childhood. No internal struggle. Just greed, manipulation, and a thirst for power. And honestly, it’s refreshing.
The cinematography has been a popular point of criticism since the initial trailer was released. But personally, I found the visuals exciting and full of energy. The fight sequences, in particular, had a cartoonish dynamism, like panels lifted straight from the comics, which made them all the more engaging. I saw the film in IMAX, which may have amplified my appreciation for the camera movements and bold lens choices. But even beyond that format, the cinematography added texture and momentum to the action, especially in the third act. At times, the visuals are disorienting, which I suspect is what turned some people off, but for me, it heightened the intensity. It didn’t feel confusing; it felt immersive. Like I was right there, in the chaos.
Superman isn’t a perfect film, but it doesn't need to be. What it delivers is a return to sincerity, to clear-cut ideals of good and evil, to bold visual storytelling, and unapologetic hopefulness. In a landscape saturated with morally ambiguous heroes and emotionally distant blockbusters, Gunn’s vision feels almost rebellious in its earnestness. It reminded me why I love superhero movies; not for the grit, but for the heart. And if that makes it too simple or childish for some viewers, so be it. I’ll take sincerity over cynicism any day.
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