Kindness as a Superpower: Superman Review

Superman isn’t woke; it’s common sense, but maybe that’s why a certain group of people is having such a hard time with the material. Superman has always been a story about hope and James Gunn's latest blockbuster that hit theaters July 11th does not shy away from that at all. From the striking score and vibrant visuals, to the heartfelt performances and deeply dramatic dialogue, James Gunn's Superman stands out amongst the crowd of DCEU and comic book films alike. Enveloping the screen with hope, humanity, and kindness. Pillars that have supported Superman since his creation in 1938 by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.

“When Superman gets drawn into conflicts at home and abroad, his actions are questioned, allowing tech billionaire Lex Luthor to get the Man of Steel out of the way for good. Will intrepid reporter Lois Lane and Superman's four-legged companion, Krypto, be able to help him before it's too late?” Sounds like a great movie, looks like a great movie. But in all honesty, what brought me to the theater aside from the incredibly moving trailer and synopsis was the good looks and charm of David Corenswet. I'd never seen any previous iterations of Superman but something about Cornswet's portrayal of Clark Kent physically lured me into the theater, however, it was his costar Rachel Brosnahan who made me wanna come back for seconds.

Lois Lane was hands down my favorite character in the film, Brosnahan's portrayal of her was fabulous, stoic, sharp, but most of all her chemistry and scenes with Clark Kent made me swoon. I admired her dedication and determination to succeed as a journalist while maintaining such a complicated relationship with a superhero. Similarly, it was no surprise that Nicholas Hoult delivered a fan-fucking-tastic depiction of the infamous Lex Luthor. Bald head and all, fueled by jealousy and rage, what a switch up from his previous role of Thomas Hutter in Nosferatu which came out this past December. These two performances were so brilliant and I found myself yearning for more screen time from them- actually, I was yearning for more screen time in general. I would’ve watched a four-hour cut of this film if it meant more Jimmy Olsen, Mr. Terrific, Hawkgirl, Green Lantern, and even Eve. Perfect casting accompanied by a beautifully balanced plot and story arcs. I never felt overwhelmed by the action, more so I was moved by the closeness to reality.

A superhero movie rarely leaves me feeling so warm inside and I am glad we are getting back to the root of the cause- saving the world and the people who harbor it. Superman's origin is that of an immigrant sent to Earth in order to escape his doomed planet of Krypton, where he lands in a small town in Kansas and is taken in by a family who adopts him, naming him Clark, and raising him to have and uphold a strong moral compass. Both Gunn and Corenswet have made clear that Superman's greatest strength is his ties to humanity that's what all of our greatest superpower is- humanity. Is that woke? Is the desire to save humanity woke? Or is it the fact that the film clearly states, in a heartfelt monologue delivered by Corenswet, that there is no such thing as an illegal alien, because no human is an alien. A beautiful and honest sentiment that couldn't have come at a better time. Establishing kindness and empathy for your neighbors as the ultimate superpower- and this guy has x-ray vision, super strength, and can fly.

Some things considered woke according to right-wing legacy media and their followers include diversity, equality, equity, inclusion, compassion, progress, education, empowerment, morals, decency, respect, and probably the biggest one of them all, empathy towards others. All of which are thematic qualities found in James Gunn’s Superman. What binds us to one another is our vulnerability, humanity, and desire for community- the feeling that we belong. Superman, though he's this all-powerful being, still feels like he doesn't belong because, unlike the very humans he serves to protect, he isn't one of them. Lex Luther's attempts to exploit that only hurt him in the end, a beautiful tale of good versus evil wrapped up in an all too familiar package- with a bright blue bow.

It is no surprise that this film is both a masterclass in storytelling and world-building, James Gunn has proven time and time again that he knows how to deliver on the action and he does it with humor, stunning visuals, earnest performances, but most of all a kick-ass soundtrack and cameo from the great Sean Gunn. I absolutely loved this film and I look forward to the future of the DCEU and diving deep into the world of red capes and red underwear. What a wonderful depiction of hope and strength when the world seems to need it most, though some may disagree, cinema has been and always will be political- so has Superman.

Movies serve not only to entertain but to hold up a mirror to the social and political climate that is present in our world. Why would there be a rise of woke ideology unless the world really needed it? Superman serves as a symbol of hope for humanity through an immigrant whose greatest superpower is his desire to do good with the powers he possesses; spreading kindness and fighting the real evil in our world. The messaging is clear as the day is long, however, it is up to you to digest that messaging or regurgitate rhetoric that completely diminishes the power of this story. Superman is available in theaters and if you want to go on a ride of a lifetime I'd suggest seeing it sooner rather than later, go twice even- I certainly am. Maybe kindness is the new punk rock.

Watch more movies together. Make more movies together. Til next time stay flirty, stay thirsty, and be kind to yourself and others- it’s not just punk rock, it’s easy.

See you soon,

Paige B.