by Matt Sernaker, Editor-In-Chief

DC Studios takes some massive swings in their opening cinematic endeavor, as Superman soars to new heights in this epic adventure. In a nutshell: Superman was absolutely perfect. What an experience. No notes.

The DC Universe is in the right hands with James Gunn and Peter Safran. Every aspect of this film was handled with care and precision. Incorporating Krypto as the emotional centerpiece of the story was quite clever, and the doggo will make you laugh and cheer with every appearance. The chemistry of the entire cast was truly a highlight, as each interaction was grounded and engaging. The performances were simply stellar, and leaning into the comic book aesthetic only helped to raise the bar on the enjoyment. The emotion and intensity behind every line of dialogue gave the audience a window into Superman’s world that we haven’t quite seen before.

I really want to emphasize that these actors OWNED the roles. It’s hard to nail down a favorite because all of the performances were pitch-perfect interpretations of these legendary characters. Corenswet expertly embodied the duality of Clark/Superman with compassion and heart. Brosnahan is badass reporter Lois Lane who is no damsel in distress. Hoult’s charisma and intensity as Lex is insanely powerful. Fillion stole every scene as the ridiculous and perfectly over-the-top Guy Gardner. Gathegi made a mark with Mr. Terrific and received his well-deserved time in the spotlight. I could easily go on, but there is not a single weak link in the cast, and everyone brought something new and impactful to the table.  Expectations were subverted, tropes were twisted, and a lot of fun was had. 

The magic of DC Comics is captured in a way that we only could have dreamed of before this release. The little details made the biggest impact, and the meticulous approach to ensuring that this story was done right is a game-changer for the genre. It’s not just about the CGI, but the real-world approach to the interactions made this feel more unique than other incarnations of the DC Universe. Those other movies always felt like you were watching something scripted, but this style of filmmaking felt organic and personal in a world filled with super suits, aliens, and meta-powered individuals. The color palette made a world of difference as well, with rich and vibrant tones that distinguish the film from its predecessors. The movie seamlessly establishes a new starting point for the DC Universe films without overwhelming. 

There are many people who believe Superman is a challenging character to write for, but the magic is in his empathy. That characteristic comes through in spades with this release, and thanks to this cast and crew, the emotional roller coaster that is Kal-El’s journey of self-discovery will surely impress. Most importantly, it’s a story about choices and how our choices define us. We all need more hope right about now, and given what we are faced with in the world today, having the story embrace this aspect couldn’t be more timely. 

Superman stars David Corenswet (Twisters) as Superman/Clark Kent, Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) as Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult (X-Men: Days of Future Past) as Lex Luthor. The film also stars Edi Gathegi (For All Mankind), Anthony Carrigan (Barry), Nathan Fillion (Firefly), Isabela Merced (Alien Romulus), Skyler Gisondo (Licorice Pizza), Sara Sampaio (At Midnight), María Gabriela de Faría (The Moodys), Wendell Pierce (Selma), Alan Tudyk (Firefly), Pruitt Taylor Vince (Bird Box) and Neva Howell (Greedy People).

The Blu-ray release includes over 90-minutes of bonus features, including “Adventures in the Making of Superman”, “Lex Luthor: The Mind of a Master Villain”, “The Justice Gang”, “Paws to Pixels: Krypto is Born”, an Animated Krypto Short and more.

ComicsOnline Rating: . This is a MUST-HAVE for any DC fan.

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