Positively Unapologetic Film Reviews

Let me first say that I was very saddened to hear the loss of Terence Stamp earlier today. He and Gene Hackman played two of the greatest Superhero villains in Hollywood history. He will sorely be messed, as well as Gene. Let me start this review by saying this is the Superman I have been searching for my whole fucking life.  It is no secret in my house and among my friends that I’ve always enjoyed Batman and a lot of Marvel characters because of the gray area.  I like to see humanity more than anything in my heroes. (COMMENT: The idea of a defender of humanity being just a binary right and wrong with zero emotional reflection to situations just bores the hell out of me.)  That being said, Batman, Watchmen, Deadpool, Avengers, Blade, etc. have been listed as some of my favorite superhero films over the years.  I have never listed a Superman film as a go to. That changes now.

Please do not take this review as an insult to the previous performances of the character. (COMMENT: I said that have not included Superman movies in my go-to superhero films in general. However, I have been able to name favorite Superman films…as in the ones I could actually watch and enjoy) Superman is an iconic character that has been portrayed by some fantastic actors. Christopher Reeve is the baseline for Superman. He gave us what everyone imagines for superman today. Brandon Routh gave a great continuation of the Reeve Superman, but in a time when Christian Bale was Batman, and Robert Downey Jr. was Iron Man. Henry Cavill gave us a great Superman that had a side of darkness to him along with a sense of battling some inner demons. Director James Gunn’s vision of Superman brings the definition of humanity to the character in ways not seen before. What it means to be human. The emotions. The thought processes.

The story is unique but not original, meaning that this is a new type of Superman story for the films. But it is based on stories that have already been published by DC Comics in more recent years. There are no rehashes of anyone’s origins, just passing comments of Superman is an extraterrestrial from the planet Krypton, which exploded previously. The film introduces Superman 3 years after first appearing in public, so the relationship with key characters such as Lois Lane and Lex Luthor are already established. The story includes a theme that tackles the biggest gripe I have had with Superman…how is a man with god-like abilities simply good and everyone is okay with this?! It’s a point of contention and discussion in the story. Personally, I founded it very much relieving to see this addressed in a clear manner. James Gunn’s Superman also introduces an early version of the Justice League consisting of Green Lantern, Mr. Terrific, and Hawkgirl. They kind of unofficially refer to themselves as the Justice Gang. (COMMENT: As ridiculous of a name that is, at least it isn’t the “Thunderbolts”…too soon?) These characters brought my much desired “gray area” to the story, as they portray heroes that curse and look to neutralize enemies…regardless of destruction. This brings me to the cast.

The cast was well chosen. I will personally admit when I heard the cast choices, I might have had a few comments through my head.  Some of them were quite vocal…like, “Wait, seriously? You’re bringing in Nicholas Holt for Lex Luthor?! That’s gonna be a very cerebral and boring Lex”.  (COMMENT: I’m not gonna say I was wrong.  I’m gonna say I was “wrong”.) This Lex was quite cerebral.  But he was anything but boring. He was angry, passionate, greedy, and calculating. He was arrogant, and he was cocky. He was, for all intensive purposes, Lex Luthor. (COMMENT: Nick, this was quite possibly your best role yet!)

Rachel Brosnahan, who is most known for her role as the title character in Amazon’s “The Marvelous Mrs Maisel”, was the best Lois Lane since Margot Kidder. Hands down. (COMMENT: I mean, there’s nothing else I can really say about her performance other than. She really was Lois Lane.) Nathan Fillion as the Green Lantern Guy Gardner was a genius move because he was the anti-Hal Jordan. He was more foul mouthed, more destructive, and more cocky. (COMMENT: To be honest, I think he’s the Green Lantern we all kind of hoped Ryan Reynolds would have played, but the characters are completely different from eachother.)  Edi Gathegi…There’s a Mr. Terrific that was fun to watch.  His attitude and genius was almost reminiscent of Richard Pryor’s performance as the computer genius villain in Superman III. Which brings me to our star, David Corenswet as Clark Kent and Superman.

As I said before, Corenswet brought a realization of what it means to be human to the screen. He got angry over negative opinions of Superman. He was always very humble and considerate of everybody around him. Above all, his Superman believed that humans, any human is truly good. But all human beings are capable of making the wrong decisions. He brought humor when necessary. He brought heart when necessary. He was more human and less boy scout.

Saving the best for last, the script is well written and truly does not have any woke or political agendas. (COMMENT: There are some mild spoilers in this section) Trust me on this. I live politics every blessed day. I have actually lost much respect for Dean Cain in his recent rants about how this Superman betrays everything that Superman stands for. (COMMENT: Wait….weren’t you the one with the really low cut collar on the suit, fought a Lex Luthor with cuter hair than Karl Urban, and had a former NFL cheerleader as Lois Lane) Unfortunately, he and others have taken their political views or their personal agendas and consciously or unconsciously viewed the film with those lenses. This likely caused them to misinterpret the film. It’s also very likely some of these people are doing this without having even seen the film.

There was no line in the film that said Superman sees himself as an immigrant. He actually said that he is an alien. He actually explained clearly that he is an extraterrestrial (COMMENT: Yup…extraterrestrial. The third kind. Not of the planet Earth. He’s an Alien.) The closest it gets to “political” is a line where Superman is told by government officials that he technically has no rights because as Superman, he is not part of any one nation, so what rights does he really have? (COMMENT: I guess Superman kind of is “illegal” or “undocumented”. But since Special Agent Cain of ICE has no jurisdiction, Where’s Agents J and K?!?!?!) Correct…Clark Kent is considered a U.S. Citizen.  Superman is the defender of all of Earth and therefore doesn’t fall under any one system. So…every country on the planet would have to actually agree on a rights system in order to prosecute Superman. (COMMENT: Believe me….you have a better chance at predicting the date of Armageddon rather than getting every country to agree on something.) So, there was no actual political agenda that I could see in this film. Unlike certain movies that have been made in the past few years. 

Another thing that I wish to highlight that I kind of nerded on was the recording from Superman’s Kryptonian parents was recorded in the Kryptonian language. At first sound, the language resembled that of semitic languages. Which I half expected since names that end with “-el” in Semitic languages often refer to “God” or have divine connotations. Examples include names like Daniel, Gabriel, and Michael, which incorporate the element “El,” meaning “God” or “deity.” Just a fun little detail I really enjoyed in the film as I enjoy foreign cultures and languages as well.

The next and last thing I’ll probably mention is Krypto. There’s been plenty of people that have said that Krypto steals the show. I can see where people would say that. Introducing Superman’s dog was the most adventurous part of this film. But Krypto served a valid purpose in the film, not only as the light hearted element that helped break some very tense scenes, but also as a bridge to introduce another character in James Gunn’s DC Universe. (COMMENT: I felt every single bite and pounce from the four legged sidekick. I may or may not have a 100 lb lapdog.) Introducing Krypto, was a solid move.

I’ll close this review with a message to James Gunn…

Sir, I never really doubted you. When I heard that you were taking over DC studios, I believe my exact words were, “Thank you God!” I knew you’d bring a more Punk attitude to music and story in the DC universe. Yes, The Suicide Squad is a stark contrast to the Ayer version, but I still enjoyed the witty chaotic portrayal you gave us.  The Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy is ranked among my favorite films in the MCU.  I have never called myself a fan of Superman, but now I definitely am. Thank you for finally giving me the Superman that I have searched for my entire. Life. That being said, I am very excited to see whatever sequel that you bring to us. And any other projects you’re involved with in this newly established DC Universe.