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(Yep, I’m taking a break from talking about technology to talk about culture, which I probably should do more . . .)
Superman 2025 was something I wasn’t enthused about, since I’m sort of tired of superhero blockbusters. Then I saw the commercials with Krypto the Superdog and had to admit I was going to see it because that was pretty bold. Superman, whatever it would be, clearly wasn’t as ground through the marketing mill as many of the recent Marvel movies. Again, dog in a cape.
And after seeing Superman I am pleased to say it is not only good, it is one of the most, if not the most comic book movie I’ve seen. It is, much like it’s titular main character, absolutely honest about what it is, without shame or irony – but also without apology. Superman is about a man who’s just trying to be a good guy, and it’s a film trying to be a good comic book movie.
The film opens both in media res but in universe res, with a quick text intro that manages to recap the setting in a few sentences then Superman shows up with the stakes already high. It tells you to hold on to your seats, because the film isn’t really going to hold your hand but just dive right in and keep going. This means we are spared the inevitable origin story, and the film also trusts you to pick up the details even if you’re not deep into comics lore (and there’s just enough the uninformed can get most of it).
And the comics elements come thick and fast and never let up. The movie takes a lot of swings with DC continuity, and the various characters and elements of the world keep coming until over halfway into the film. The film doesn’t hit out of the park every time, to continue the swing metaphor, but it doesn’t miss anything either. Some elements of this huge comic book movie work better or are done better than others, but nothing fails – and when the story connects it connects.
There is a lot. There are multiple superheroes. There is a kaiju. There is politics. There is romance. There are twists. There are robots. There is, once again, a superpowered dog. There’s also a lot that may seem painfully timely, but some of it is only timely because we have to keep relearning certain lessons.
This alchemical mix of comic book elements could not have worked without an absolutely stellar cast. Every single member of the cast is on, handling their roles with sincerity and enthusiasm and that sells all the dense elements of the movie. David Corenswet totally steps into the role of Superman/Clark Kent, he lives it. Rachel Brosnan’s Lois Lane is strong, passionate, undaunted, and there’s a bit of her backstory that she brings to life (no spoilers). Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor glowers and chews scenery as a charismatic utter a-hole. Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific is so good that he’s a man playing the protagonist in another protagonist’s movies. I could go on, but they’re all good.
Wait, I have to shout out Neva Howell and Pruitt Taylor Vince and the Kents, who are one of the most believable takes on the couple I’ve seen. One moment they’re funny, the other they’re deep, and in all cases they’re parents. OK I’m done.
Superman 2025 has the right people to pull off all of the wild elements it tries to incorporate, and that’s why it does it successfully, if not perfectly. The film can be slightly uneven, because comic books themselves can swing between the fantastic and the mundane, but it never loses balance. Like a juggler, it keeps a lot in the air, motion itself being fuel for the spectacle.
I am still tired of big superhero blockbusters and huge big-budget movies dominating culture. But Superman felt so honest, so sincere, it was a breath of fresh air. It was a vision of Superman that felt true to the character and the ideas behind him, and it’s worth seeing – and learning from.
Get the right people, take the swing, do the right thing.
Steven Savage