lost pages

The Live Action Flick directed by James Gunn has some teething issues…

It’s been a while since we have got a live action film dedicated to Superman with the last feature being Man of Steel (2013) directed by Zack Snyder. Snyder’s version of Superman really felt like a departure of who the character was, in being rather sullen and lacking the warmth you would expect from one of the most selfless and altruistic fictional characters ever written.

I make this point to showcase how Gunn’s interpretation of Superman leans more into his comic book counter part in being a symbol of hope and boundless optimism. In that regard, I would say the film accomplishes the main task in establishing the core values and principles of who Superman is and embraces the corny aspects.

But that alone does not propel this film into a ‘great’ epic that is deserving of the ‘Big Blue’. Superman (2025) is a film that I do not like a great deal, despite me wanting to love it.

Before I approached this film: I had this impression from James Gunn that he was not really interested in making a Superman movie, but this was something that he was mandated by Warner Bros to do as he is now spearheading the ‘DC Cinematic Universe’ (DCU). I had some recollection of him saying in an Interview years ago on how he found Superman to be a rather uninteresting character. Now my memory could be faulty and this is all speculation on my part, but I just could not shake the feeling that this was a film made by obligation rather than something that James Gunn wanted to create from the very beginning and was really passionate about making.

David Corenswet playing Superman has the charisma and charm, being able to switch between ‘Clark Kent’ and ‘Superman’ with ease. His co-star in Rachel Brosnaham playing Lois Lane is a near perfect casting choice. Both these actors have great on-screen chemistry, it is just a shame that the relationship between these two characters feel under baked (now I understand the film makes both of them in the early days of their relationship, but the relationship lacks real emotional punch and development).

That being said the movie does a great job in leaning into the fantastical and bombastic nature of comic books being wild and frenetic and understands the assignment in making the audience understand why Superman is the way he is. I just find the film lacking in carrying emotional weight that a character like Superman should carry in spades.

This is where the problem lies, the pacing and structure of the film collapses under its own weight. The film has too many characters that either lack real development with the over abundance of jokes under cutting the tension. We do not see Superman really grapple with the decisions he makes and really contemplate how his actions can have consequences, despite his noble intentions.

The film does not earn its heart felt and endearing moments and instead leans hard onto the big action set pieces that can be fun and entertaining, yet when all that washes over there is an absence at really digging deeper at the themes and ideas of Superman. When the chips are down, Superman (2025) in my eyes fails in really making me care about the world and characters at stake.

I have yet to even comment on the villain ‘Lex Luthor’ played by Nicholas Hoult, which despite Hoult trying to do the best he can. The Script for ‘Lex Luthor’ makes him a whiny brat and not the calculated menace that he ought to be working as a foil to Superman. To me it came across like character assassination, contributing to a weaker narrative and emotional investment.

To conclude, Superman (2025) is a film I am truly glad was made and despite my grievances James Gunn has made a good starting off point for the ‘Man of Tomorrow’ with flair and delight. I just wish it had stuck the landing point for the here and now.