Our ‘Superman’ verdict: great rom-com, shame about the rest
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Oh, it’s a reboot
HANG AROUND THE CINEMA long enough and it starts to feel like a revolving door. I’ve seen Brandon Routh’s wholesome version of Superman, I’ve seen Henry Cavill’s beefcake take. On the smaller screen, Tom Welling has played the dude in Smallville. I will always have a soft spot for Teri Hatcher and Dean Cain, who took on the central roles in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. But times must change, and the latest actor to gel his hair, shine his boots and fasten a cape is David Corenswet.
And very handsome he is too! You may not be overly familiar with the actor, but I’m pleased to report Corenswet, with his very broad shoulders and very black hair, certainly looks the part. Which is a good thing, because director James Gunn (the man who brought us such hits like Guardians of the Galaxy and The Suicide Squad) throws you right into the action here. No origin story, no teary farewell from far-flung parents, no teenage angst.
Instead, we start in media res: Superman has just lost his first battle and he’s recovering in his Fortress of Solitude. So begins a plot that includes obsessive villain Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult, mincing about his tech lair with a lame, Elon Musky swagger), a geopolitical plot involving countries with names I cannot remember, and about 26 hideously designed, completely forgettable monsters. There’s an enthusiastic dog, called Krypto, which should be an easy win but his movements are bewildering: he’s chasing squirrels all the way to Uncanny Valley.
Gunn’s smartest move is to throw us right into the action. The director’s instincts are correct: we have seen these movies before. No introduction necessary. There’s a welcome energy to the start of this film and – even more welcome! – traces of humour. I know, sound the alarm. That is mostly achieved by the dynamic between Superman/Clark Kent and his colleague Lois Lane (depicted by the very watchable Rachel Brosnahan), one of the more famous and therefore difficult-to-modernise relationships in popular culture.
In an early scene at the open-plan offices of The Daily Planet, Lois questions how Clark always has an exclusive interview with the headline-grabbing superhero. We’re in on the joke, of course: look at these dumb journalists who don’t realise that their colleague is Superman. Imagine being tricked by a pair of wide-rimmed glasses. Cut to: Lois’s apartment. Clark has snuck in and is cooking her “breakfast for dinner” (quirky!) to mark their three-month anniversary (cute!). And then . . . she calls him Superman.
D’uh! We had been the silly ones. Not only are Lois and Superman dating, she also knows his true identity. Neat move by Gunn. What follows is a sweet, if exposition-heavy, scene in which Lois “interviews” Superman. We are introduced to some context about Superman’s public image, his non-political political ventures (sorry, still cannot remember those countries), and their relationship dynamic. She’s prickly, he’s boisterous. Can they stick it out?
You wouldn’t bet against it.
The actors’ chemistry is undeniable (on-screen and off: I have been following this charming press tour) and easily the most compelling part of this entire venture. During one scene, where Superman’s reputation is at an all-time low, Lois sneaks into his sky-high home, and they share thoughts over a mug of hot cocoa while an inter-dimensional battle takes place just outside the window. The scene is played for laughs — Superman’s mates are taking care of the problem, and he just wants to chat with his gal pal – but it is indicative of this movie’s problem: it’s a rom-com, saddled by very boring superhero baggage.
We are, of course, going to see a lot more of this superhero baggage in the years to come. And sure enough, there are hints, as this film wraps up, as to where the inevitable sequel may take us: the problem with relying on superheroes to save the day, a cameo from Superman’s spunky cousin. Some neat ideas, though Gunn would do well to follow his more minimal instincts to tell this particular story. Superman has to save the world, of course, but he also has to get the girl.
‘Superman’ is in cinemas now.
This story originally appeared on Esquire UK.
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