SUPERMAN. Gunn loves comic books and isn’t ashamed of it

What does waiting for Superman remind me of? Largely, it’s associated with the complaints of fans of Zack Snyder’s vision. From the start, they assumed that James Gunn had, in a way, taken away the version played by Henry Cavill in order to create his own interpretation within the DCU he oversees. While for them, “Gunn’s film” is a term with a negative connotation, I was hoping that Superman would simply be another great comic book adaptation from this director.

And I’m so glad I wasn’t disappointed. Superman immediately throws the viewer into a reality where metahumans and giant monsters terrorizing cities are an everyday occurrence – people watch the superhero fighting a kaiju with the same concern we might have watching a fire truck speeding by. Gunn had already proven in The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker that he embraces the source material with all its quirks. He doesn’t try to give it a realistic tone, but rather enjoys the fact that he’s working in a comic book world with characters he’s known on paper for years. And ones he clearly loves and understands – which makes us immediately feel affection for them too.

Characters in Superman are introduced as if we’ve known them for a long time – and in some cases, that’s somewhat true, though of course not in these particular interpretations. Even so, those completely unfamiliar with Superman’s universe shouldn’t feel lost – motivations are clearly presented, and the cast has such chemistry and charisma that they instantly feel familiar. David Corenswet is truly an inspired casting choice – he looks great on screen and conveys all the emotions running through Kal-El (and there are many) with sincerity.

He also has fantastic chemistry with Rachel Brosnahan, who plays a phenomenal Lois Lane – sharp, proactive, and brave. Lois’s interview with Superman is one of the best scenes in the film – and it’s only the first act! The third brightest point in the cast is Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. And in this case, I’m thrilled with how Gunn managed to construct this character. On the one hand, there’s a certain “comic book-ness” to him; on the other, he can be truly menacing, devilishly intelligent, and a formidable challenge for the titular hero. Especially since the entire plot revolves around his schemes and far-reaching plan, making Superman feel a bit like an issue from the comic book. Brilliant casting for all three.

The supporting cast is quite packed, but Gunn handles this collection of characters well and gives each of them a moment to shine – among the Daily Planet staff, Jimmy Olsen stands out in particular, and among the metahumans, Mr. Terrific (who gets a fair amount of screen time and a great, very “Gunn-esque” action scene) and Metamorpho with an emotional subplot. It’s not like the so-called Justice Gang takes over the movie from Superman – a concern I’d heard – they’re simply a natural part of the world and complement the titular hero in situations that require extra effort.

If anyone steals scenes from Superman, it’s the dog Krypto. Gunn showed his love for animals especially in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, and it’s evident here too – the dog is a full-fledged character who impacts the plot, entertains the audience, and melts hearts. And speaking of heartwarming moments, it’s the perfect place to mention the Kents – Jonathan and Martha don’t get much screen time, but they radiate such genuine warmth and love for their son that the scenes with them had me watching with a lump in my throat. The theme of parents isn’t foreign to Gunn’s filmography either, but I feel that here he addressed it in the most honest and touching way, perfectly summarizing it in the finale.

And Clark/Superman himself tugs at the heartstrings with his kindness, convictions, and desire to do good. He truly is a symbol of hope here, and in certain scenes where he appears in the sky with triumphant music in the background, you just want to applaud and join the characters who chant his nickname in one scene. Which, in my opinion, is a huge success for Gunn. I left the theater truly optimistic about the future of the DCU and am eagerly anticipating the next projects in its lineup. Superman isn’t without flaws (I didn’t love all the flying shots, I missed a bit more interaction between Clark and Daily Planet members other than Lois and Jimmy, and the post-credit scenes left a slight sense of dissatisfaction), but it shows that Gunn is the right person to create a cohesive, critically acclaimed universe that draws heavily from the comics.