Can he really do it? The world's first superhero character Superman opens the door to the DC Universe. As the recognition and history of the character Superman suggests, the film <Superman>, which will be released on July 9, is receiving mixed expectations and skepticism from many people. Can he really do well? Coincidentally, Superman in the film also receives such mixed expectations and skepticism. Can we trust that alien? In a world full of doubts, can Superman, and <Superman>, truly soar? Here are my impressions of meeting <Superman> which is ready to take off with the audience at the press screening.
Human, Superman
If there are two keywords that have penetrated Superman throughout generations, one would be 'divine' and the other 'humanity'. Sent from the alien planet Krypton and crash-landing on Earth, Superman gains powers and abilities that surpass humans, akin to a god, through the power of the yellow sun. Yet, he grows up under the Kent couple in Kansas, USA, living as Clark Kent, who possesses a more human-like thoughtful heart than humans. Thus, he became an icon of the era as a being that is both divine and human, with overwhelming physicality and a noble heart.
Therefore, the portrayal of Superman in films tends to lean towards one of the two aspects. The Superman of the DCEU is entirely closer to the former. <Man of Steel> (2013) depicts Superman's journey of wandering and becoming a figure who protects the world, while almost excluding the everyday human experiences of 'Clark Kent'. It is only at the end that Clark Kent joins the Daily Planet. In the subsequent works, Jack Snyder, who led the DCEU at the time, emphasized Superman's superhuman aspects, portraying him with a divine image and religious clichés.
<Superman> leans more towards the human side. This intention can be seen from the film's opening. The title, with its red and blue hues, clearly pays homage to the Christopher Reeve <Superman> series that began in 1979. (For distinction, it will be referred to as Super Man) Unlike <Man of Steel>, the <Superman> series humorously captures the clumsy Clark Kent's everyday experiences. James Gunn places traces of that era's <Superman> throughout the film, ensuring that we do not miss the human side of Clark Kent, rather than the divine Superman.
However, it does not neglect the depiction of Superman's abilities. <Superman> does not center around his superhuman strength. The perception of strength ultimately leads to destruction, so it focuses as much as possible on depicting his speed, near-invulnerable body, and the quickness with which he saves people using his superpowers. Meanwhile, as seen in various trailers, the film captures Superman's flying scenes up close, creating a feeling for the audience as if they are accompanying him. James Gunn repeatedly emphasizes that, at least to the audience, he is a reliable figure and, while a god-like being, is closer to a guardian than a harbinger of destruction.
In the process, the portrayal of Lex Luthor, depicted as a villain, is excellent. In contrast to the divine yet human Superman, Lex Luthor wields outstanding strategy and relentless conviction as his weapons. While Lex Luthor succeeds in controlling Superman to his will, he is not portrayed as merely a cool character. His conviction leads to a desire to control everything, clearly depicting him as both a 'genius' and 'villain'. Through Lex Luthor, various aspects that a human can possess are illustrated, contrasting with Superman's rightful mindset as a human, enriching Lex Luthor's character. Additionally, Lois Lane, Superman's love interest, though an 'ordinary person', collaborates with the Daily Planet staff to thwart Lex Luthor, naturally embedding the intention to portray Lois Lane as a proactive human figure rather than just 'Superman's lover'.
Director, James Gunn
James Gunn is well-known for his character portrayals. Having introduced various heroes in the <Guardians of the Galaxy> series and <The Suicide Squad>, while clearly capturing each of their personalities and characteristics, he successfully employs the same strategy in <Superman>. At the time of the information release, there were concerns that too many superhero characters would appear in the universe's first film, but the movie accurately utilizes each of their unique traits. Particularly, the scene-stealer in this film is Superman's pet Krypto and Mister Terrific from the Justice Gang. Krypto brings laughter to the audience through his canine traits while also serving as Superman's reliable sidekick in the film. Mister Terrific, who is somewhat of a 'minor' character globally, delivers the most impressive scene. His long take scene, where he safely defends Lois Lane while subduing enemies, showcases his abilities in synergy with James Gunn's excellent music selection. Guy Gardner, who cannot be considered a major Green Lantern, also appropriately utilizes his character's personality, demonstrating the humorous attitude of this universe. The Kent couple, who taught the beauty of Earth and humanity to the boy from outer space, also show a simple yet profound love, making a strong impression despite their limited screen time. Although characters like Isabella Merced's Hawkgirl and the Daily Planet staff are somewhat utilized in a flat manner, the actors' performances help fill the atmosphere with liveliness.
As a film that opens a universe and aims for blockbuster status in the summer theater, <Superman> is an excellent film without any shortcomings. However, it is somewhat disappointing that it leaves a somewhat blurry impression, as it could have been more intense. Compared to the works James Gunn has shown so far, <Superman> lacks a bit of its unique charm, even though it does not evoke strong opinions. James Gunn's strengths, such as his sense of creating synergy among diverse characters, excellent humor, and the ability to make even ordinary stories unpredictable through well-placed plot structures, remain intact in this work. However, most of his previous works contained irredeemable characters or uncontrollable situations that unfolded in succession, with humor that, while not suitable for everyone, could be enjoyed if it matched one's taste. The world of <Superman> cannot be like that. James Gunn, knowing that it should not be, maintains an appropriate 'line' in this work as a true comic fanboy. With this excellent sense of balance, <Superman> showcases the charm of a blockbuster, clearly revealing both his strengths and limitations.
Nevertheless, <Superman> excellently restores the virtues of superhero films, the value of the icon that is Superman, and the symbol of absolute good loved by the whole world. Fans who remember Christopher Reeve's <Superman> will likely have their hearts racing from the opening to the end (to be honest, I wanted to see it again right away). Although it may seem to have a high entry barrier, the film explains all the necessary parts within, making it a suitable choice for audiences tired of a universe that is too focused on raising stakes. I want to see if Superman, who bears both expectations and burdens as the first chapter of the universe, can soar to the skies with the success of this film.
+ There are 2 post-credit scenes. One appears after the main end credits, and the other comes after all the credits have finished. Unfortunately, or fortunately, they are not related to the universe, so they are not mandatory viewing.
