Superman
Quick question before the e review: does James Gunn have an eye torture fetish?? Why do all of his movies have eye torture?!?!
This is what superhero movies are supposed to be!!!!!!
I don’t know what to talk about first. I guess I’ll start thematically? This had everything a superhero movie should have. A hero who represents unflinching humanity, protection and non violence as a moral standpoint, looking out for those who can’t help themselves in a world of politics and prejudice.
On top of this being everything superhero movies should be, it was also MORE in the sense that this felt like the perfect adaptation in the nuances from what superman was in the old movies compared to how the world is now. Championing ways that the old superman movies and comics did things (Lex Luthor creating some sort of natural disaster for superman to stop for example) and differences like in old movies where a catastrophe happens and people run, whereas in this one people pull their phones out. Comparing this to the older superman movies like 1978 really highlights how the world around us has changed which I think is honestly my biggest takeaway.
I love so much about this. The casting of our hero as well as our casting of Lex (Nicholas Hoult, my baby girl I love you and your bald cap veins popping. That bald cap did for you in this the same as those glasses did Jonathan Bailey - I know that’s weird but it is a compliment in a strange way. Don’t ask for an explanation). FREAKING CLARKS PARENTS AS WELL OMG. Ps: keen for more of Sean Gunn’s actual face on screen as Max Lord. The rest of the cast as well. All fantastic.
Now the more gritty stuff: I think in my own humble opinion that this was a fantastic way to show actual discourse on the Israel-Palestine conflict and where people in the US (and Australia as an extension) are sitting. I’m speaking specifically about the argument between Clark and Lois early on in the living room. Clark representing his unflinching humanity and Lois representing “it’s more sensitive and complicated of a situation then that”. And I stand by the idea that art should not preach or offer solution. Art is used to present the problem and each side of the argument, set up the real world mirror, so that in real life we can have that discussion afterwards with actual words instead of slinging hate at each other in Facebook comments. That’s what this conversation did. (Also, I find it so funny how blunt and upfront this allegory was. Say it louder for those in the back James).
Also loved the funny offhand digs at AI in this. I laughed every time 4/Gary made the reminder that they do not have feelings or emotions (this is for all of you who are replacing human connection with chat gpt, cause that’s a real problem that I have only recently found out is actually happening - now I have to go watch Her with 2025 hindsight).
I could say so much more but I’m just so overwhelmed with positivity and faith in the superhero genre (unfortunately not even this movie can give me faith in humanity at the moment), so thank you Mr Gunn. You are so punk rock.