James Gunn & DC: Silver Age Superhero Revival
James Gunn’s Superman is a Blast of Fresh Air – and a Bold Statement of Intent
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James Gunn has done it.He’s taken a character so ingrained in our collective consciousness, so relentlessly adapted and reinterpreted, and somehow…made him new. Superman isn’t just a good superhero movie; it’s a declaration. A declaration of gunn’s vision for the DC Universe,and a surprisingly potent statement about the world we live in right now. He’s simply holding the whole Megillah up, with the same amount of dedication and effort with which his character props up collapsing skyscrapers in order to shield innocents from harm.
A Superman for Our Times
The film wisely sidesteps the origin story retread. We know Superman. We certainly know Kal-El, the last son of Krypton, sent to Earth to become a beacon of hope. This Superman focuses on a more established hero, grappling with the weight of his power and his place in a world that’s increasingly ambivalent about saviors. david Corenswet embodies the earnestness and inherent goodness of Clark Kent beautifully, while Rachel Brosnahan delivers a Lois Lane who is sharp, inquisitive, and a vital partner to Superman, not just a damsel in distress. Their chemistry is electric, grounding the fantastical elements in a relatable human connection.
The supporting cast shines as well. Wendell Pierce as Perry White is a perfect blend of gruff editor and paternal figure. And Anthony Carrigan’s Lex luthor? A revelation. He’s not a cackling villain bent on world domination (at least, not yet). instead, he’s a chillingly plausible manipulator, a man who believes he knows what’s best for humanity and is willing to exploit fear and prejudice to achieve his goals. This Luthor feels ripped from the headlines, a reflection of the power-hungry individuals who thrive on division.
Is Superman both just enough and too much? It certainly hits every mark you want it to, except possibly knowing which deep cuts from the comics are strictly nerd-bait rather of being narratively useful, and when several climactic showdowns have overstayed their welcome. Yet Gunn’s stamp on this mythology, and his use of it as a statement of intent for where he wants to take things in this larger intellectual-property universe, is largely a blast. It’s a lot of fun, which you can’t always say about superhero movies these days.
So much fun, actually, you may not notice some of the things Gunn has embedded into his summer movie. Created by two Jewish artists in the 1930s, Superman has always been an outsider, an “other,” an immigrant.This is a fact, and given how facts have become Kryptonite to the political right, it’s not surprising that MAGA-affiliated blowhards and other shit-stirrers have taken issue with this notion being part of the new movie. What’s more interesting is how that aspect is used.
Luthor, a man who sponsors dictators and “wants to be a king,” grounds this idea of the guardian being from a different place within a smear campaign. He manipulates the public into fearing and hating Superman, as well as using political capital to try to have him sidelined. All of this is done for Luthor’s own benefit and in an attempt to consolidate power.Pop art may or may not be political.but despite the lies being spread and truth being warped, you’re never in doubt as to which side Superman is on. The same goes for Gunn. Hopefully, the same goes for you.
The DCU’s Shining Future
Superman isn’t just a standalone film; it’s a foundation. It establishes the tone, the aesthetic, and the thematic concerns of the DC Universe that Gunn is building. It’s a universe that feels grounded, even amidst the fantastical elements, and one that isn’t afraid to grapple with complex issues.The post-credit scenes, while intriguing, are less about shocking twists and more