Superman - Cosmonaut Quickie

Quick Overview

The movie "Superman" is an interesting superhero film that, despite initial pacing issues due to its complex, multi-conflict opening, ultimately succeeds in establishing a unique, whimsical, and adventurous DC Universe with strong character portrayals, particularly David Corenswet's Superman and Nicholas Hoult's Lex Luthor, earning an 8.5/10.

Key Points: The "Superman" movie, directed by James Gunn, is rated 8.5/10, offering a unique and adventurous take on the superhero genre. The film initially struggles with pacing in its first half-hour, introducing multiple pre-existing conflicts and characters without sufficient setup. Despite the initial pacing issues, the movie becomes more engaging once it settles into its groove, particularly when Superman is separated from other characters. David Corenswet perfectly embodies Superman, balancing Clark Kent's charm and humor with Superman's strength and confidence. The film successfully establishes a rich, whimsical, and inventive DC Universe, distinct from the MCU, with well-executed action sequences and established characters like Lois Lane, Lex Luthor, Guy Gardner, and Mr. Terrific. James Gunn's original idea of using title cards for each day of the narrative was scrapped, which the reviewer believes would have improved the film's early pacing and presentation.

Context: This video is a review by "Cosmonaut Quickie" of the new "Superman" movie, directed by James Gunn. The reviewer, who had high expectations for the film, discusses its strengths and weaknesses, particularly focusing on its narrative structure, character portrayals, and world-building in comparison to other superhero franchises like the MCU and Sam Raimi's Spider-Man.

Detailed Analysis

The "Superman" movie, directed by James Gunn, presents a distinct and engaging superhero experience, earning an 8.5/10 from the reviewer. While the film initially suffers from a convoluted plot and rapid pacing in its first 30 minutes, introducing numerous pre-existing conflicts and characters without adequate development, it significantly improves once the narrative finds its rhythm. The reviewer notes that the decision to forgo a traditional origin story in favor of a Star Wars-style text crawl and then immediately thrust Superman into multiple ongoing situations makes it difficult to connect with the early conflicts. However, the film excels in its character portrayals, with David Corenswet delivering a perfect blend of Clark Kent's charm and Superman's strength. Lois Lane is also praised for her accurate portrayal and engaging relationship with Clark, which is depicted as a relatable "situationship." Nicholas Hoult's Lex Luthor is highlighted as "crazy good," embodying arrogant "hater energy." The action sequences are lauded for their dynamic camera work and frenetic energy, making fights feel impactful and flying scenes absurdly fast. The world-building is a major success, creating a whimsical and adventurous comic book setting where extraordinary events are normalized, contrasting with the MCU's more parallel-to-reality approach. The film successfully establishes a new DC Universe, laying solid groundwork for future movies, reminiscent of the foundational impact of "Avengers One."