It was the Superman movie with Christopher Reeve that got me into Superheroes back in the 1970s, and the film still means a lot to me. So, when I heard about a new movie from James Gunn and saw the first teaser trailer, I was very excited to see Superman in IMAX.
In his distinctive style, James Gunn reimagines the original superhero within the new DC Studios universe, combining epic action, humour, and heart. He presents a Superman who is driven by compassion and a deep belief in the goodness of humanity.
After several incarnations of Superman over the years in movies and TV shows, Christopher Reeve has always been my Superman, and it has been tough seeing other actors play the part, although Henry Cavill was great in the Snyder movies. I wasn’t too sure about David Corenswet at first after the announcement, but I had faith in Gunn, and after loving Gunn’s other work in the Marvel Universe, I was hoping that he could pull it off with the new DC movies that would be coming our way.
Thankfully, we don’t have to go through all the back story again. Let’s face it, I think we all know about the child sent from Krypton to Earth as the last survivor of a race that was wiped out. We are instead taken right into the story with a quick introduction about the “Metahumans” that started 3,000 years ago, then we see Superman crashing to the ground in an explosion of ice and snow. He’s badly injured. Can this be Superman? What the heck could do that to the Man of Steel! All would be revealed, but first, he calls Krypto to take him home to the Fortress of Solitude. Upon arrival, we are introduced to “four” the Super-robots that look after him and the Fortress.
I’m not going to go on much more about what happens as it spoils the excitement and the rest of the movie, but all I can say is that Conrenswet’s Superman is one of the best I’ve seen since Reeve back in the 70s and it wasn’t like before I had the same chills that the 70s movie gave me when I saw it as a child.
Yes, there are haters out there of this movie, and many haven’t even seen the movie before, completely writing it off. I’ve talked to so many friends who are fans of Superman like myself, and they all say the same thing: this movie is like watching a live version of a comic book with so much not only pulled from the comic books but also some lovely touches with a nod to Reeves’ Superman.
The movie is packed with action, amazing cinematography that stands out on the IMAX screen, and the sound works very well on the IMAX system with the booms blasting and the quieter moments feeling more tranquil and relaxed.
The cast is superb, David Corenswet is great as Superman/Clark Kent and is probably more human than some of the previous incarnations of the character. Rachel Brosnahan plays Lois Lane very well, and I would love to see more of the way her character develops in a sequel (fingers crossed). I loved Skyler Gisondo‘s portrayal of Jimmy Olsen and the way he was a chic magnet (I kid you not), and let’s not forget about Nicholas Hoult, who brings Lex Luthor to life in such a brilliant way. You feel for the character towards the end of the movie and realise that his hatred for Superman may not be the reason you first think it is.
Frank Grillo ties in the rest of the DC Studios’ stuff, including Creature Commandos as Rick Flag Sr., and also a moment with The Peacemaker. I loved Nathan Fallen as Guy Gardner (Green Lantern), Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl and Edi Gathegi as Mr. Terrific. There are also some great cameos to spot throughout the movie that Gunn has worked with in the past, plus some nice Easter Eggs for DC fans to look out for.
James Gunn has brought us a brilliant version of the DC Comics character. The movie has the action, the comedy, the romance and plenty of moments that have you on the edge of your seat. Seeing Superman in IMAX was a fantastic experience, and it’s a format that I always opt for when I can. Superman is Filmed for IMAX, so you know the excellent quality you will be getting from the screen and sound.