SUPERMAN (2025)
Superman has a lot to answer for. The 1978 film directed by Richard Donner that is. Over the years that same origin story formula has been done to death; in comic book movies beyond. That classic three act structure that often runs out of steam when it needs to reach an action filled resolution. But what happens when that formula, and in turn the backstory, is jettisoned entirely? Of course, you know the story of Krypton, everyone knows it. Is it a refreshing way to reboot the whole thing, again, for a new era? Or does it result in pacing issues for everything that follows?
In what at first appears to be a standard moment of 'in media res' Superman (David Corenswet) crashes in the Antarctic snow. However, it's soon clear that this is the starting point for the movie. He's lost a battle we don't see, following his intervention in war we know nothing about. His time as young Clark Kent in Smallville isn't explored and there's no crash landing on planet Earth. It makes a certain amount if sense given that these plot points have been done elsewhere multiple times. Previous Superman movies even found ways to shoe-horn in Batman's origin, so in a way enough was enough.
On the other hand the film feels weirdly structure-less as a result. Like picking up a long running comic series and missing the first half. There's not much breathing room as the narrative launches into what feels like one extended third act. Sure we can infer a lot of things (and a lot of others are told not shown) but it never builds in the usual sense. He's in love with Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan) and at odds with Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult). He's allies with a bunch of other characters, some super-powered and others regular. But with this large ensemble there's little room for depth.
Most of the story is concerned with the hero trying to do the right thing no matter the ramifications. Which is of course naive but admirable, in the face of US involvement in the war, growing concerns that he's a dangerous alien, and the fickle opinions of a volatile public. Various topical issues are raised but again there's little room for depth. Director James Gunn has tightened this all up to an-almost-two-hour running time, which in this genre is appreciated. But on the other hand the way it's so densely packed with stuff his own style seems at odds with the grander scope of the overall story.
Superman has often been weird of course, something which the film-makers are eager to depict, despite a lot of restraint being shown. Gunn's previous efforts (a second Guardians sequel and a semi-rebooted Suicide Squad) were brimming with oddities and violence and crass humour. That singular style and texture is what made those films work, but here it's being dialled back and perhaps that's not such a good idea. The bigger emotional moments from those projects have also been watered down. So while Kal-El fights against monsters, black hole gravity, and rivers of inter-dimensional goo, it feels as if some of the overall passion is absent.
The heroism and fun factor is at least boosted after so many recent 'dark Superman' features (in films, video-games, and projects outside DC). John Williams' score is used, the colours pop, and Clark rescues kids and animals. He even has his own pet and I'm sure a million toys will be sold. The action is entertaining (though one sequence is marred by the choice to show it from inside a blurry energy shield) and the inclusion of hero-adjacent characters 'The Justice Gang' adds a distinct vibe to the proceedings. The story isn't anything spectacular but they at least follow a through line of doing your best and never compromising to inspire others to be better.
The outcome is unfortunately a mixed bag rather than anything regenerative; it's big and loud and never lets up, but it's never fresh or emotional. The visual effects spectacle is good but never reaches the heights of Gunn's MCU work. The cast is all decent even if it never explores Clark Kent's persona in his mundane daily life, or Luthor's insanity, or Lois's ambitions. Is it enough to have a general pop-culture sense of these things already? Are we supposed to relax and enjoy the cute stuff, the wacky moments and the bad haircuts? Is it simply missing the drama of Rocket Racoon's tragic history?
It seems like more than just the origin story has been cut and perhaps there's more deleted material out there. Superman being beaten down and having to fight back (in a spiritual and physical sense) is great as the villains threaten to crush him and muddy his status. But it could be a lot more and go much further. Which strangely is a similar issue I had with the prior Man of Steel. Both feel close to being something more than they are and miss the target, again meaning that Christopher Reeve and Superman from 1978 cannot be escaped. It might be formulaic decades later but it's still a gold standard for plenty of reasons.
3/5
