The new “Superman” film, a fresh take on a character that was created nearly 90 years ago, dares to say that kindness is “punk rock.”
This new Superman is defined by his humanity, not his alien background or super strength. He’s a hero who stands up to billionaires, who won’t stand by in the face of a genocide overseas, and who would go out of his way to save a squirrel. He’s a hero for the current moment in a way that feels radical.
David Corenswet steps into the title role as Clark Kent, Superman, skipping the origin story to pick up a few years into his time in the trunks. He brings effortless charisma and charm to the role, a little bumbling, but sharply intelligent with a heart of gold. One of his first lines is “golly.”
Opposite Superman is Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor, stunningly realized as a truly vile hater. Hoult is smarmy, egotistical, and driven relentlessly by envy. He’s furious because Superman is taking up too much of the world’s conversation — his life hasn’t been the same since Superman arrived.
Much of the film’s conflict centers on Kent’s own identity. When he arrived on Earth, he was accompanied by a recording from his parents — who seemed to encourage him to be a good person. Luthor steals the video and reveals to the world a secret second half of the tape where they actually tell him to rule the planet and create a new race of Kryptonians.
Kent doesn’t take this well.
That conflict of identity is at the heart of the film, as Superman grapples with who he was meant to become. Of course, the people who raised him in Kansas have their own ideas — and they couldn’t be prouder of the good man he is.
“Parents aren’t for telling their children who they’re supposed to be,” Pa Kent says.
Good isn’t a thing that you are, it’s a thing that you do. Kent, Superman, always chooses to be good and kind. That totally rips. He tells Luthor that he’s just as human as anyone else, that he puts one foot in front of the other in the face of uncertainty. That doesn’t at all sound like the alien deity that I had to grow up with.
I’d be remiss, of course, not to talk about all the high quality journalism content in the film too. Rachel Brosnahan is stellar as a reporter Lois Lane who challenges Kent in his beliefs and actions — an early scene depicts an on-the-record interview between her and Superman where she pushes him on his media savvy and impulsive decision-making.
There’s a full crew of Daily Planet reporters who make up a big part of the supporting cast, though the bright and bustling Planet newsroom might just be the most fanciful thing in the whole film — contemporary journalism doesn’t look like that. Still, the Planet is presented as a key part of Clark’s identity — “there’s nothing funny about good journalism, Lois.”
Another major part of the cast is the Justice Gang, a corporatized group of superheroes with a few fewer scruples than Kent. The obvious standout is Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, but there’s also Nathan Fillion as a Green Lantern and Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl. These extra superheroes should feel out of place or overstuffed — it’s remarkable how well they fit in.
That speaks to the deft hand with which director James Gunn realizes the world of this new “Superman.” This film doubles as the start to a new cinematic universe — picking up the broken pieces of the failed effort that began over a decade ago with the last Superman film “Man of Steel.” This world feels immediately bright and exciting — like the Marvel Cinematic Universe on its best day. I’m excited for whatever else this world has to offer.
“Superman” is a dynamic vision of hope. It’s a joyous, bright film that comes as a shot in the arm to a stagnating superhero film scene. It’s punk rock, and it’s playing in theaters this weekend.
Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.
