Lex, Lies, and the Light That Won’t Die: Why We Still Need Superman

I have to be honest, I’m not a big Superman fan. His movies have just never done it for me, and to be frank, I’ve always thought he was too overpowered to be very interesting. So despite being a lover of comic book films, I may not seem like the ideal audience for Superman. But perhaps surprisingly, this was actually one of my most anticipated movies of the year. See, Superman is blessed with an advantage no other big-screen iteration of the character has ever had–James Gunn. This is the guy who did the Guardians of the Galaxy movies and The Suicide Squad, and in my opinion, he’s the best superhero filmmaker of all time. I’ll watch anything Gunn makes, so despite my general distaste for the Man of Steel, I was still super excited to see his vision for this iconic character.

Superman was written and directed by James Gunn, and it stars David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult, Edi Gathegi, Anthony Carrigan, Nathan Fillion, and Isabela Merced. The film is the start of a new cinematic universe–the DC Universe (or DCU for short)–but unlike most superhero franchise starters, this one isn’t an origin story. Rather, when Superman begins, the world is already populated with heroes like Green Lantern and Supergirl, and Superman himself has been keeping watch over the planet for some time.

He’s even made an enemy in Lex Luthor, and now, Luthor has the perfect plan to finally put his longtime foe down for good. He takes advantage of the public’s growing unease with the Man of Steel’s god-like power and lack of accountability, so he makes one last push to take the Kryptonian off the board. He gives it everything he has, but as always, Superman won’t go down without a fight.

I’m not going to bury the lead. I loved Superman. As you might be able to guess from the plot synopsis, this isn't the most layered story in the world, but that’s okay. The real draw here is the way that story is told–especially the amazing characters and the tangible ways they exemplify the narrative's themes of good and evil–and on that count, the movie is a complete home run.

Take Krypto, for instance. He’s Superman’s Kryptonian dog, and if you’re even remotely an animal lover, you’re going to get a kick out of this adorable canine. His alien origin gives him incredible abilities beyond any terrestrial pet (or human, for that matter), but he’s still very much an animal. He often lets his excitement get the better of him, even when Superman desperately needs him to get back on track, so he’s just the embodiment of everything that makes his kind so irresistibly cute.

On the complete opposite end of the furriness spectrum, we have Green Lantern and Mr. Terrific, two heroes who belong to a group known as the Justice Gang. Despite sometimes clashing with the Man of Steel, they generally consider themselves his allies, and they’re some of the best characters in Superman. Green Lantern is the kind of self-absorbed jerk you can’t help but love and hate simultaneously (in the best way possible!), and Mr. Terrific has a nearly Spock-like air of emotionless rationality that makes for some hilarious gags.

The rest of the supporting cast is great too, but hands down the stars of this show are Lex Luthor and Superman himself. Let’s start with the villain. Luthor is a megalomaniacal madman who’s so obsessed with taking down the Man of Steel that he’s willing to hurt and even kill anyone who stands in his way, and when you see the depths of evil this guy is capable of, it will sicken you to your stomach. Luthor has absolutely no regard for human life, and actor Nicholas Hoult brilliantly brings that cold-heartedness to life. You can almost feel the evil in his speech and his facial expressions, so he’s not just a bad guy. He might as well be the devil in the flesh.

In contrast, Superman is basically goodness incarnate. He believes his purpose in life is to use his abilities to make the world a better place, and when he sees someone in need, he doesn’t think twice about doing whatever he can to help them out. That being said, this guy isn’t just a brainless boyscout. There’s a point in the story where he’s forced to struggle with his identity, so if he wants to continue his heroic lifestyle, he has to take full ownership of it. Without giving anything away, I’ll just say that the Man of Steel can no longer rely on his parents to tell him who he is, and to the surprise of no one, he chooses to continue being a beacon of hope in a world seemingly gone to ruin. It’s an inspiring decision that’s sure to touch anyone with even half a heart, and it cements our hero as the complete antithesis of the diabolical evil Lex Luthor represents.

The dynamic and the contrast between those two characters is the heart and soul of Superman, and in the hands of another director, that story could’ve easily been a bleak and dour examination of humanity’s enormous potential for evil. But in typical James Gunn fashion, the filmmaker chooses to push his movie in the opposite direction. He imbues the film with all the knee-slapping humor and fun superhero action that’s made him such a legend in the genre, so this ends up being a joyful celebration of goodness instead. I’d even say it’s the kind of comic book movie our fractured and hate-filled world needs right now, so do yourself a favor and check it out. You won’t be disappointed.