Superman - A Beautiful James Gunn Mess

Overview

This episode dives into James Gunn's Superman, analyzing its strengths, weaknesses, and its role in the broader superhero movie landscape. While the film offers moments of optimism and strong casting, it struggles with narrative focus, tonal inconsistencies, and the weight of audience expectations.

Notable Quotes

- Not every movie has to be Guardians of the Galaxy, James. You're allowed to move on in life. – On James Gunn's overuse of humor.

- Superhero movies really have reached a fork in the road of destiny this year. – On the state of the superhero genre.

- It's a film that's somehow overshadowed by its own creator. – On James Gunn's influence on the movie's shortcomings.

🎭 The Strengths of Superman

- David Corenswet delivers a sincere and earnest portrayal of Superman, embodying the character's optimism and moral compass.

- The film avoids deconstructing Superman, presenting him as a flawed but fundamentally good-hearted hero.

- Rachel Brosnahan's Lois Lane is well-rounded, challenging Superman without falling into the abrasive girl boss trope.

- The movie steers clear of overt political messaging, focusing instead on themes of heroism and positivity.

🎬 The Flaws in Execution

- The plot is described as a schizophrenic mess, dropping viewers into a story already in progress without proper setup.

- Overcrowded with characters, including the Justice Gang, many of whom lack meaningful development.

- The humor, reminiscent of Gunn's Guardians of the Galaxy style, feels forced and disrupts emotional moments.

- A major lore change involving Superman's origins is likely to alienate comic book fans.

🌀 Narrative and Tonal Inconsistencies

- The film struggles to balance its ambitious scope, introducing too many subplots and world-changing technologies.

- Key moments of drama are undercut by poorly timed jokes, reflecting Gunn's over-reliance on comedic levity.

- The pacing feels rushed, as if the movie is trying to cram the middle of a trilogy into a single installment.

🎥 The State of Superhero Movies

- The film was burdened with the impossible task of relaunching Superman, kickstarting the DCU, and revitalizing the superhero genre.

- Despite its efforts, it fails to achieve these goals, leaving the genre at a crossroads amidst the decline of Marvel and DC's repeated reinventions.

- The movie highlights James Gunn's limitations as a filmmaker, particularly when stepping outside his comfort zone.

🦸‍♂️ Unrealized Potential

- The Justice Gang, including Nathan Fillion's character, is underutilized, with most members relegated to background roles.

- Krypto the Superdog, a divisive element in the trailers, plays a minor and inconsistent role in the story.

- The film feels more like a business-as-usual superhero flick rather than the epic relaunch it was intended to be.