‘Truth, Justice and the American Way” may not exactly ring true these days, but Superman’s motto served close to a century of comic books, TV shows and movies, and some hope we Yanks can regain the power and trust those words once implied. Maybe we need a… Look! Up in the sky!
I was a fan from early on, starting with the DC comic books and then the B&W television show in the ‘60s starring George Reeves. So of course I ate up Richard Donner’s seminal movie in 1978 Starring Christopher Reeve. Looking back, however, how were we to know that this entertaining flick would arguably kick off the endless tsunami of superhero sequels, prequels, origin stories, remakes and reimaginings that has come to define Hollywood’s lack of originality?
I stopped bothering with the genre a few years ago, at about the time when Coppola and Scorsese redefined superhero flicks as theme parks rather than actual movies. I simply had nothing to say about the endless combinations and permutations that lazy filmmakers came up with to lure pre-teen butts into theater seats. But I went to see James Gunn’s reportedly new take on the Man of Steel. It was getting some good press for its fresh approach and was supposed to be pretty funny. Plus there’s nothing else opening this weekend.
Refreshingly non-macho
Cast-wise, the new Superman, David Corenswet, does what needs to be done without getting all macho about it. Refreshing, that. A delight is Mrs. Maisel herself, Rachel Brosnahan, as Lois Lane, managing the right blend of glamor, grit and wit. The weakness is Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. The man’s a gifted actor but simply lacks the weight for the part. He’s no Gene Hackman.
The good stuff: Since this is Gunn’s re-launch of the DC universe, there’s little need to catch up on dozens of origin movies; no homework. Then there’s the emphasis on fun. The movie concentrates on the lighter side of being able to leap tall buildings at a single bound. Despite its tentpole status, it even dips into satire of its own genre with the introduction of the “Justice Gang,” the comically vain members of which can’t even agree on their name. Great stuff.
It’s human scale, whimsical, silly, positive and intentionally cornball. The whole thing feels like a comic book but, you know, in the best way. Oh, and there’s a superpowered flying dog. Have fun.
(129 min)
Out in theatres now.
Interested in more new action movies? Read our review of F1: The Movie, starring Brad Pitt, or the latest Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, starring Tom Cruise.
