Is James Gunn’s New Superman the Best Superhero Movie Yet? Find Out!

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This week, all attention is focused on James Gunn and his upcoming Superman film, as it’s currently being screened on Amazon a day early.

My First Reactions to Superman

I’ve recently stepped out, and in my response video, I expressed that James Gunn delivers an entertaining superhero flick. At the conclusion, everyone applauded. Be sure to catch it!

Superman Starts Fast With No Previews

Before we begin, it’s important to make sure you arrive at the theater promptly since, in my case with Amazon streaming, there were no pre-screenings available. As a result, the movie began precisely on schedule without any 20-minute delay, which I found unusual. Unfortunately, I missed the opening scene due to lengthy queues for popcorn and refreshments.

My Superman Experience: 3D and 4DX Review

In addition, I opted to watch Superman in a 3D format since the only options available were IMAX or 3D screenings on Amazon. Unfortunately, the IMAX theater near me is less than ideal due to its grainy screen and obstructed view by audience members. To my surprise, the 3D screening I attended turned out to be a 4DX experience instead! Oops! I was unexpectedly hit with bursts of air, water, and almost toppled from my seat! LOL.

Instead of opting for both the 3D and 4DX experiences, I suggest you consider skipping them. In my opinion, the 3D version significantly reduces the vibrancy of the visuals. The 4DX is quite intense; it’s as if you’re on a roller coaster ride, and I’ve heard that it’s more active than Twisters.

How the Audience Reacted to Superman

The crowd adored the Superman film, with plenty of laughter echoing throughout. Some spectators even donned capes, and there was one woman in particular who seemed utterly captivated by Krypto. To be honest, I sometimes found her behavior a bit grating, but considering the movie probably brought back childhood joy for her, that’s understandable. That’s James Gunn’s take on Superman.

Post-Credit Scenes in Superman: Are They Worth It?

Here’s a suggestion: “There are two additional scenes after the credits, but they don’t offer any hints about future events. Any teasers for the upcoming storyline can be found at the very end of the film itself. The audience’s response, including mine, was divided regarding these extra scenes.

Superman’s Standout Characters

Nathan Fillion’s Green Lantern

My top pick among them all is Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern. Despite his quirky hairstyle, I found his character to be captivating, and Fillion brought it to life flawlessly. If you’re a fan of James Gunn, you might appreciate why Fillion fits the role so well. Excitingly, Fillion will reappear in Season 2 of Peacemaker, and rumors suggest he may also return for the Lanterns series.

Mr. Terrific and the Justice Gang

I really like Edi Gathegi’s portrayal of Mr. Terrific, and I think the entire Justice League team is well-written. I’d love to see more of them on screen, especially Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, who delivers a surprising twist at the end.

Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, and the Villains

Rachel Brosnahan excels as Lois Lane. Skyler Gisondo brilliantly portrays Jimmy Olsen, delivering the finest Jimmy character yet.

In a more casual and straightforward manner, Maria Gabriela de Faria portrays The Engineer and Ultraman convincingly as formidable antagonists. The plot and visual effects were well-executed, and they looked impressive, especially in 3D.

Lex Luthor: A Mixed Bag

Nicholas Hoult’s portrayal of Lex Luthor is strong yet unpredictable. At times, he embodies the self-assured, dominant Lex, which recalls Michael Rosenbaum’s characterization in Smallville or from the Justice League cartoons. On other occasions, he behaves like an immature brat who loses control. Additionally, I felt that Gunn did not make it clear why Luthor aims to destroy Superman—perhaps due to ego issues?

David Corenswet’s Superman: My Least Favorite Part

To be completely honest, I’m not particularly fond of Superman in this movie version. Zack Snyder portrays Clark Kent/Superman more like an oversized infant with frequent pouts, as the trailers suggest. He appears weaker and takes quite a few beatings, failing to truly shine until the climactic third act.

In simpler terms, I appreciate Oliver Corenswet in the role of Superman, but the character lacked the development required for a compelling portrayal. The backstory and build-up were missing, leaving me unimpressed. Some might even say that Krypto, Superman’s dog, seemed more authentic as Superman than the actual character.

The Superman Music Doesn’t Hit

I didn’t really enjoy the musical composition. I think it would have been better if they had come up with something original rather than relying on John Williams’ melody. It’s not like Christopher Reeve at all, let me tell you. It falls quite short.

The Politics in Superman

Indeed, the gossip isn’t exaggerated, but rather tastefully hinted. The Gunns’ portrayal echoes our contemporary era, yet maintains a playful atmosphere. Of course, there’s a humorous scene featuring Sean Gunn that had me chuckling.

Contrary to some beliefs, Superman isn’t promoting any “woke” ideologies. The character hasn’t been altered or replaced in any way, but it seems that many modern versions of the character are more appealing. I didn’t interpret this as Gunn advocating for a particular agenda, although his message about immigrants versus billionaires is quite evident.

Superman’s Humor and Goofiness

The film has a quirky feel to it; it features Krypto the dog, another canine character, and even an infant. It’s quite eclectic, particularly the baby scene. Some might find Metamorpho excessive as well. Despite this being different from the Zack Snyder DCEU, it didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the movie overall.

The Verdict: Superman Is a Fun Ride

All in all, James Gunn crafts an outstanding superhero film that’s incredibly enjoyable – it might just be the most enjoyable superhero movie we’ve watched in quite some time. It’s jam-packed with excitement and action, offering a massive comic book adventure. In essence, this is a blockbuster flick that’s well worth revisiting. Enjoy the ride!

Superman gets a 8/10.

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2025-07-09 06:02