Witty, warm-hearted, and breathlessly paced, this first official movie outing from DC Studios under the stewardship of James Gunn and Peter Safran doesn’t try to reinvent the cape, nor does it drown itself in origin-story solemnity. Instead, we’re offered an often riotous reintroduction to the Man of Steel, inflected with Silver/Bronze Age comic sensibilities.
Director Gunn, who also penned the screenplay, wisely skips yet another tour through the ruins of Krypton or the cornfields of Smallville. Instead, we’re dropped into a fully formed world, confident enough to let comic book lore stand on its own.
David Corenswet dons the cape with understated charisma, bringing a sincere, boyish charm to Clark Kent…
David Corenswet plays the alien who fell to Earth with understated charisma, bringing a sincere, boyish charm to Clark Kent. His Superman is a figure of extreme compassion – we know this because he saves a squirrel (not a plot spoiler); this isn’t a hero driven by guilt or trauma.
The tone is brisk and buoyant. Gunn’s gift for ensemble dynamics, so evident in Guardians of the Galaxy, is put to good use here. Jokes land, beats are tight, and the script zips along without bloat. Gunn also knows when to let a quiet moment breathe.
Characters are introduced with no explanation of backstory – but they’ll all be instantly recognisable to long standing comic book fans. Gunn cites All Star Superman, the limited series written by Grant Morrison and and illustrated by Frank Quitely, from the mid-noughties, as a major influence.
This is very much a modern, comedic take. Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen gets his scoops via messaging apps, Metropolis buzzes with social media (Superman doesn’t do selfies), and Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult, chewing the scenery with varying success) hires gamers to outmanoeuvre Superman in real-time fisticuffs.
That’s not to say the action lacks traditional impact. Shot with IMAX cameras and engineered for theatrical spectacle, Superman features crowd-pleasing set pieces that earned spontaneous applause at the screening I attended. The scale is epic without feeling exhausting, aided by John Murphy’s score, which hits all the necessary heroic swells, and the sound design is sensational.
The supporting cast is eclectic and fully committed. Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane is sharp and uncompromising. Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern Guy Gardner is delightfully obnoxious, and in a standout turn, Edi Gathegi’s Mr Terrific walks away with nearly every scene he’s in, making a strong case for a solo outing down the line.
Even Krypto, the super dog, turns in a stellar performance – the pooch is beautifully executed, much as Rocket was in Guardians.
For the most part, James Gunn handles his oddballs well, with only Hoult’s Lex Luthor feeling slightly off-key.
Overall, quibbles are minor. This Superman is fresh, fun, and full of invention. It feels like the start of something not just new, but right. It doesn’t reinvent the genre, but maybe, just maybe, it helps remind us why we love these characters in the first place.
A soaring debut for DC Studios, and a hopeful sign for what’s to come.
Superman is directed by James Gunn, and stars David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult, and Krypto. 12A, 130 minutes.
Imagine Back to the Future made with hidden cameras, improvised dialogue and a shoestring budget; Marty McFly and Doc Brown gatecrashing a Canadian indie comedy. That’s Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie. For those unfamiliar with its peculiar lineage, this isn’t a reboot, remake or spin-off but a direct continuation of a fictional universe…
The best reason to go see Supergirl is Krypto – and he spends most of the movie playing dead. The film follows Kara Zor-El, Superman’s sullen cousin, as she reluctantly joins a young alien girl on an interstellar mission of revenge against the mercenary Krem of the Yellow Hills. Along the way, Kara needs to…
Disney is bringing a touch of magic to Silverstone as the British Grand Prix becomes the European stage for its Disney x Formula 1 ‘Fuel the Magic’ campaign. The partnership between two of the world’s biggest entertainment brands will see Disney transforming parts of Silverstone and central London, through a programme of live events and…
The Luxe Review 
Witty, warm-hearted, and breathlessly paced, this first official movie outing from DC Studios under the stewardship of James Gunn and Peter Safran doesn’t try to reinvent the cape, nor does it drown itself in origin-story solemnity. Instead, we’re offered an often riotous reintroduction to the Man of Steel, inflected with Silver/Bronze Age comic sensibilities.
Director Gunn, who also penned the screenplay, wisely skips yet another tour through the ruins of Krypton or the cornfields of Smallville. Instead, we’re dropped into a fully formed world, confident enough to let comic book lore stand on its own.
David Corenswet plays the alien who fell to Earth with understated charisma, bringing a sincere, boyish charm to Clark Kent. His Superman is a figure of extreme compassion – we know this because he saves a squirrel (not a plot spoiler); this isn’t a hero driven by guilt or trauma.
The tone is brisk and buoyant. Gunn’s gift for ensemble dynamics, so evident in Guardians of the Galaxy, is put to good use here. Jokes land, beats are tight, and the script zips along without bloat. Gunn also knows when to let a quiet moment breathe.
Characters are introduced with no explanation of backstory – but they’ll all be instantly recognisable to long standing comic book fans. Gunn cites All Star Superman, the limited series written by Grant Morrison and and illustrated by Frank Quitely, from the mid-noughties, as a major influence.
This is very much a modern, comedic take. Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen gets his scoops via messaging apps, Metropolis buzzes with social media (Superman doesn’t do selfies), and Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult, chewing the scenery with varying success) hires gamers to outmanoeuvre Superman in real-time fisticuffs.
That’s not to say the action lacks traditional impact. Shot with IMAX cameras and engineered for theatrical spectacle, Superman features crowd-pleasing set pieces that earned spontaneous applause at the screening I attended. The scale is epic without feeling exhausting, aided by John Murphy’s score, which hits all the necessary heroic swells, and the sound design is sensational.
The supporting cast is eclectic and fully committed. Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane is sharp and uncompromising. Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern Guy Gardner is delightfully obnoxious, and in a standout turn, Edi Gathegi’s Mr Terrific walks away with nearly every scene he’s in, making a strong case for a solo outing down the line.
Even Krypto, the super dog, turns in a stellar performance – the pooch is beautifully executed, much as Rocket was in Guardians.
For the most part, James Gunn handles his oddballs well, with only Hoult’s Lex Luthor feeling slightly off-key.
Overall, quibbles are minor. This Superman is fresh, fun, and full of invention. It feels like the start of something not just new, but right. It doesn’t reinvent the genre, but maybe, just maybe, it helps remind us why we love these characters in the first place.
A soaring debut for DC Studios, and a hopeful sign for what’s to come.
Superman is directed by James Gunn, and stars David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult, and Krypto. 12A, 130 minutes.
Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie review: Wildy imaginative and riotously funny
Imagine Back to the Future made with hidden cameras, improvised dialogue and a shoestring budget; Marty McFly and Doc Brown gatecrashing a Canadian indie comedy. That’s Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie. For those unfamiliar with its peculiar lineage, this isn’t a reboot, remake or spin-off but a direct continuation of a fictional universe…
Supergirl review: charmless maid of steel adrift in DC Studios comic book universe
The best reason to go see Supergirl is Krypto – and he spends most of the movie playing dead. The film follows Kara Zor-El, Superman’s sullen cousin, as she reluctantly joins a young alien girl on an interstellar mission of revenge against the mercenary Krem of the Yellow Hills. Along the way, Kara needs to…
Disney x Formula 1 race towards Silverstone Grand Prix with massive merch drop
Disney is bringing a touch of magic to Silverstone as the British Grand Prix becomes the European stage for its Disney x Formula 1 ‘Fuel the Magic’ campaign. The partnership between two of the world’s biggest entertainment brands will see Disney transforming parts of Silverstone and central London, through a programme of live events and…
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