Director James Gunn returned to the superhero genre this summer with a revitalized take on DC’s classic hero “Superman.” Released on July 11, the highly anticipated film soared to the top of the box office, earning $122 million on the opening weekend, according to the Associated Press.
The film offers an engaging and visually striking experience, centering its narrative on empathy and the value of kindness in the modern world. Gunn’s Superman, played by David Corenswet, is intentionally optimistic. His willingness to embrace the character’s lighter qualities are apparent when audiences meet the new Clark Kent, face planted in the snow, dressed in the classic red trunks and spandex. His dialogue, sprinkled with dated phrases like “golly” and “what the hey,” emphasizes the simple and sincere side of the character which makes him authentic and endearing. At a time when aggressive and cynical personas dominate popular culture, Superman emerges as a much-needed counterbalance. His acts of kindness and compassion throughout the movie remind audiences that being a good person still matters.
The film also benefits from a memorable antagonist, Lex Luthor. Many modern villains and antiheroes on the big screen have their cruelty softened by elaborate backstories or sympathetic trauma, such as Ghost in “Ant-Man and the Wasp” or Vulture in “Spiderman: Homecoming.” Luthor, on the other hand, is unapologetically malicious, running in spite and a strong hatred of Clark Kent’s alien origins.
Luthor views Superman as an alien threat, framing him as an outsider or even an “illegal”. This conflict mirrors real-world discourse on belonging, borders and national identity, which sparked online debates from viewers across the political spectrum. The film highlights how ordinary civilians are caught in the crossfire of world conflicts sparked by greed and ambition, as Luthor manipulates conflict for his own personal gain. While some viewers have labeled Gunn’s take as politically liberal, others believe the film is a reminder that superhero cinema has always reflected the anxieties of the era, reported by The Guardian. By grounding its story in themes of empathy, exploitation and collective responsibility, the movie distinguishes itself from other recent superhero blockbusters by tackling very modern themes head-on.
A key strength of the film lies in its attention to ordinary people. Superman shows compassion for all living things, taking the time to save everything from children to dogs to squirrels. While the story escalates to the cosmic scale, featuring a dimensional rift tearing through Metropolis, the attention to the individual civilians heightens the audience’s emotional investment. In contrast to recent superhero films such as “Fantastic Four” and “The Marvels”, which emphasize large-scale apocalyptic stakes, Gunn’s “Superman” never loses sight of the human element.
While the film does a good job of capturing the essence of Superman, some audience members may feel a bit overwhelmed by the amount of new characters and fast plot development throughout the film. Because Gunn’s Superman is the 11th version of the character, he chose to skip over much of Superman’s origin and throw the audience directly into the middle of the action. The film also introduces many new characters, such as Mr. Terrific and Hawk Girl. While these characters are well-developed heroes in DC comics, those who are unfamiliar with them are given little to no explanation on who they are. The pace and characters were received very well by returning superhero fans, but were a bit confusing for some first-time viewers.
In the end, Gunn’s Superman succeeds by returning to the character’s roots while updating his values for today’s world, in which personal profit frequently takes precedence over global responsibility. With its bright visuals, unwavering optimism and sharp social commentary, the film stands out as a reinvention that feels both timely and true to the spirit of the Man of Steel.
