The newest adaptation of Superman was released on July 11 and has taught us something we’ve forgotten: kindness is punk rock.
The cast was stellar, featuring David Corenswet, who was destined to play the role of Clark Kent, along with the perfectly played villain of Nicholas Hoult and an iconic Lois Lane by Rachel Brosnahan. The critically acclaimed movie is jam-packed with action, where the camera refuses to stop moving, along with quiet, still moments that hold just as much of the audience’s attention.
Despite the vivid, lively colors, the amazing direction by James Gunn and the fantastic cast, the theme is what hits the most.
In the most comic book way, the movie starts by throwing us straight into the action. In the first frames, we see the invincible Man of Steel damaged. Although the idea that a superhero can be beaten isn’t a revolutionary take, it still feels refreshing when one of the characters everyone knows for being overpowered is thrown into the snow, not even a minute into the movie.
The first one-on-one scene between Clark and Lois is what I want to bring attention to the most. In this scene, Clark surprises Lois for their three-month anniversary by making his favorite meal: breakfast for dinner. They flirt, kiss and tease, but then Lois calls out Clark for constantly interviewing himself as Superman, which leads to the iconic scene where Lois interviews Superman.
During the interview, Lois is playing the devil’s advocate, trying to get Superman to see how his reaction to the Boravia and Jarhanpur conflict—which is strikingly similar to the Israel and Palestine conflict—could be controversial. But no matter what Lois says, Superman is adamant that none of it matters because people were going to get hurt.
The world doesn’t need another cynical, moody, existential god, but instead someone who drinks hot cocoa when he’s stressed, saves a squirrel and fundamentally believes in being good. In a time where hope seems pointless, Gunn presents us with someone to look up to, and it’s Superman.
Corenswet’s portrayal of the timeless hero is the perfect mix of corny, sweet and lovable that pushes the theme home. If Superman were moodier, or emo if you will, then his big monologue where he explains what it means to be human wouldn’t have the impact it currently holds. And these are the kind of borderline cheesy monologues that never fail to hit. Somewhere, we have forgotten the importance of being kind and being good — Superman is teaching it to us again.
Now there is the matter of one of my favorite actors, Hoult, who plays Lex Luther. He was born to play a villain. He started playing more villainous, antagonist roles in the show “The Great,” where he played the comedic, blood-thirsty and violent—but adorable—role of Emperor Peter. Later in 2022, he starred in a psychological horror movie “The Menu” with Anya Taylor Joy. There was no doubt Hoult would be amazing, but to see his rage develop and to watch this egotistical, jealous genius break down as he realized he lost was one of the most powerful scenes in the movie.
Gunn is leading DC into its new age, but will he be enough to give us everything that Marvel has been failing to? The comic book movie industry has produced mediocrity after mediocrity, with the occasional banger, including the Spider-Verse series.
If you ask anyone, they are tired of it. Gunn has already proven his skill with “Guardians of the Galaxy,” but how far can he go? If it is anything, such as “Superman,” then I will proudly say, I’m welcoming it with open arms.
