Superman
Starring David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan and Nicholas Hoult
M
4/5
Superman, directed by James Gunn, is an enthralling superhero film with surprising depth and an excellent start to the new DC Universe.
Clark Kent (David Corenswet), an alien from Krypton who was raised among humanity, grapples with his responsibilities as the hero Superman and his rivalry with billionaire Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult).
Corenswet plays Clark/Superman as confident but humble and unwaveringly kind, as Superman should be. Rachel Brosnahan is strong-willed and decisive as Lois Lane, and through her the film confronts Clark’s frustrated naivete in how he thinks doing good and saving lives allows him to act with impunity.
Edi Gathegi brings a calm swagger to the role of Mr Terrific, Nathan Fillion is an entertaining jerk as Green Lantern, and Hoult is the standout performer as an obsessive, composed but utterly sadistic Luthor.
Superman features vibrant visuals, dynamic action and a cerebral, compelling plot with a major focus on image.
Secondary villains such as the nanobot-infused Engineer (María Gabriela de Faría) and the powerful, enigmatic Ultraman are formidable fighters, highlighting that Superman is not invulnerable, but the film generates an ever-tightening sense of helplessness as Luthor entraps and outwits Superman, tarnishes his image and undermines his sense of goodness.
Since the psychological internal conflict is so gripping, it’s a shame that the external conflict of a controversial war feels a little undernourished.
Gunn’s trademark quippy humour fits the film’s upbeat comic-accurate tone (which is especially welcome after the grim Snyderverse), but his humour undercuts the drama a little too often.
The debut of a new DC Comics film franchise and a tense, thrilling and touching superhero movie in itself, Superman is playing in most Victorian cinemas.
