# Superman - Cosmonaut Quickie

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0jpxXiUjO0
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/Y0jpxXiUjO0
Generated: 2025-07-17T04:32:12.889+00:00

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## 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.

![Screenshot at 0:29: Superman holding up a large rock over a fountain with a dog looking up](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Y0jpxXiUjO0/00-00-29.png)

**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."

### Initial Impressions & Pacing Issues

- The reviewer had high expectations but the film didn't "love" up to them, though it was still liked
- The opening half-hour struggles to pull the viewer in due to being thrown into a world already in motion with multiple ongoing conflicts
- The movie uses a Star Wars-style text crawl to skip the origin story, but then introduces too many unresolved conflicts from before the film's start, making it hard to care
- James Gunn's decision to scrap original title cards for each day of the narrative likely contributed to the disjointed pacing.

### Strengths in Character Portrayal

- David Corenswet is praised as the "perfect" Superman, embodying both Clark Kent's charm and Superman's confidence without being a "quip machine"
- Lois Lane is very accurate to her comic counterpart, and her "situationship" with Clark is relatable and engaging
- Nicholas Hoult's Lex Luthor is "crazy good," bringing an arrogant "hater energy" that makes him truly believe he's superior to Superman.

### Action & World-Building

- The action scenes are dynamic with extreme close-ups and fast-paced flying sequences, creating a frenetic and exciting feel
- The film successfully establishes a unique, whimsical, and adventurous DC Universe where extraordinary events are normalized, unlike the MCU's more grounded approach
- The world feels complete and well-thought-out, laying solid groundwork for future movies.

### Comparison to Other Superhero Films

- The film is compared to "Avengers One" in its ability to establish a new universe and set the stage for future interconnected stories
- It is explicitly stated that the film is not comparable to Sam Raimi's "Spider-Man 1" in terms of narrative tightness, as "Spider-Man 1" is "near perfect" and "air-tight."

### Overall Verdict

- The movie is good enough to make people stop saying Superman is boring, achieving the reviewer's ideal dream for the film
- The reviewer gives the movie an 8.5/10, acknowledging its flaws but emphasizing its success in creating an exciting new DC universe.

![Screenshot at 0:05: Superman catching a falling girl as debris explodes around them](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Y0jpxXiUjO0/00-00-05.png)
![Screenshot at 0:22: A large skyscraper collapsing in a city, creating a dust cloud](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Y0jpxXiUjO0/00-00-22.png)
![Screenshot at 0:29: Superman holding up a massive rock over a fountain, with a small dog looking up at him](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Y0jpxXiUjO0/00-00-29.png)
![Screenshot at 0:54: A metallic blue robot with glowing eyes, wearing a Superman-like symbol](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Y0jpxXiUjO0/00-00-54.png)
![Screenshot at 1:10: Superman shielding himself from an orange energy blast with his forearms](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Y0jpxXiUjO0/00-01-10.png)
![Screenshot at 1:35: Superman punching a large golden robot in mid-air above a city](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Y0jpxXiUjO0/00-01-35.png)
![Screenshot at 2:28: A large dragon-like creature breathing fire in a city skyline](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Y0jpxXiUjO0/00-02-28.png)
![Screenshot at 2:47: Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen flying in a futuristic white and red UFO over a city](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Y0jpxXiUjO0/00-02-47.png)
![Screenshot at 3:07: Comic book cover for "All-Star Superman" showing Superman holding a glowing Earth](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Y0jpxXiUjO0/00-03-07.png)
![Screenshot at 4:04: David Corenswet as Superman, with a bruised face, looking up from a damaged surface](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Y0jpxXiUjO0/00-04-04.png)