Tripwire Reviews James Gunn’s Superman

Off To A Flying Start?

Tripwire’s senior editor Andrew Colman reviews James Gunn’s Superman starring David Corenswet and in cinemas in the UK and US now…

Superman
Director: James Gunn
Stars: David Corenswet, Nicholas Hoult, Rachel Brosnahan

Another press screening, another sequel. Yes, technically Supes’ latest escapade is a reboot, but needless to say, we quibble over terms. So Superman returns on yet another wave of hype and hope, and judging by the full house at the Leicester Square Cineworld, the Man of Steel is still very much a draw. The reviews have been moderately interesting regarding this blockbuster – some critics have averred that it captures the spirit of the comics (debatable), and that it returns the character to his position as a “paragon that celebrated the values embodied by him since the beginning” (which is nice but he’s not exactly a flexible character). Most critics did dance around the fact that it’s the same old same old (“a mainstay for nearly a century precisely because he stands for things outside of faddish trends”, “we cut the fat and drop any extraneous experimentation”) – err, yes. Faddish trends – you mean like all super-hero movies since 2002, I assume.

Some critics were presumably mandated not to be too negative so opted for being subtly dismissive with a hint of contempt, calling it an “eccentric sci-fi B movie” or (and we’ve heard this one before) “goofy and charming”. And then there were the hatchet merchants (step forward Peter Bradshaw of the Guardian) who were lightning fast out of the blocks in their ardour to savage the movie, calling it unnecessary, pointless, tired and no fun anymore (or words to that effect). Even Mark Kermode, a critic who rarely lambasts movies (even such as this one) called it “tonally all over the place”.

And so here we are again – I have often critiqued movies by explaining the plot, giving my general opinion in an offhand manner and then closing it all out with what effect said event flick will have for the future, which is usually zero, as the remakes keep on a-churning. In order to expedite matters and keep things reasonably brief, let’s just do some bullet points about the good, and indeed the bad regarding this entry.

THE GOOD

The source material. Based as it is on Morrison and Quitely’s All Star Superman, the movie is off to a head start. One of my favourite Superman books. The scene in which Superman bursts into Luthor’s office like a bull in a china shop was very much reminiscent of said tale, as is Luthor’s contempt for him.

Nicholas Hoult. He’s a cut above as Lex Luthor, and his buttoned-up, neurotic, highly corporate take on the super-villain at least provides a decent nemesis. Shame he wasn’t given sufficient screen time to flesh out his character, but more of that later.

Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi). Despite the wall to wall barbs and dreary one-liners throughout the film, this character navigates the constant carnage and destruction with a diffident, detached gait that involves virtually no attempts at humour. Yes, he’s a walking plot device but when Supes is down and out, his reaction (get up and get on with it, we’re running out of time etc.) is exactly what I want to hear from Captain Goodguy.

Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner. Rarely does an actor completely get the four color version of his character exactly right, but Mr. Fillion does, and he doesn’t overcook it here either. From the godawful pudding bowl haircut (Fillion insisted on it) to the annoyingly cocky swagger and his half-baked leadership of the hare-brained “Justice Gang”, he is spot on.

Metamorpho (Anthony Carrigan) Worthwhile oddball character and a worthwhile performance too, although Carrigan’s genuinely touching effort does seem out of place here.

David Corenswet. Yes, he’s not too bad, and proves to be a worthwhile big blue boy scout. He’s given a fair amount to do in what is a thankless role (all that gurning and suffering, poor lad) and he gets through it without being particularly mawkish.

None of the supporting cast are particularly annoying. Now this could be because the film doesn’t have time to allow them to be irritating, but hey ho. Even Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane isn’t too bad, although her characterisation (along with the rest of the ensemble) is the usual predictable soapy cobblers.

THE BAD

The Plot. It’s all over the place, what with pocket universes, a clunky political component and the aforementioned relentless action sequences bombarding us into submission, leaving the film no room to breathe – the relationship between Luthor and Superman should’ve been explored far more, but it wasn’t, so all we were left with were a few lines at the end from Luthor explaining his motivation. There’s also the mandatory cheesy Lois / Clark subplots and conclusions, but these are swept aside by the need for the usual mass destruction nonsense.

The apocalyptic finale. Every single time, and this time on two fronts, natch. At least it ended relatively quickly and spared us any pontification.

The Script. Serviceable at best, with nothing resembling a quotable line. Plenty of awful one-liners that come across as lazy filler rather than character development.

The Inconsistency. Thematically there’s very little to this movie but it still wants to be taken seriously. The whole Superman as fugitive or enemy alien canard is old hat, and all done in the service of the plot. Superman suffers inordinately throughout the movie but it’s business as usual by the end.

The silly, superfluous minor characters. Including of course Krypto the Super Dog, who may have been cute to begin with but did rapidly outstay his welcome. This isn’t worth carping over of course, as it’s all just a bit of fun, but it might give Mr. Gunn license to mine more Mort Weisinger era kitsch for the follow-up. After all, we’ve had Krypto, so how about Streaky the Super Cat and Comet The Super-Horse? And while we’re at it, why not Bizarro Superman, Bizarro Lois Lane, Bizarro JFK and Bizarro Marilyn Monroe? These characters are all canon (seriously) after all. And you thought Groot and Rocket Raccoon were daft and cumbersome.

We’ve seen this all before. Don’t tell me we haven’t. If only Gunn could do a movie that is tonally exactly like the first Guardians one. Here’s hoping he leaves out all the usual conventions next time –  now that would be left field.

Overall this is a 5/10 effort, which means it’s actually half-decent. Is it a film that will be the springboard to a new, revamped and palpably different DC Universe? Possibly – although if what follows is as formulaic as this entry, it might not last. Get going, Gunn!!!

Check out the Superman trailer here

DC Films Releases A New IMAX Trailer For Superman Coming In July