James Gunn’ Superman is almost jarring in how human Clark Kent was. As a long time Superman fan, I feel like this superhero has been paid dust when it comes to the recent movies about him. No shade to Tyler Hoechlin on the TV side. He did an amazing job in the CW’s Superman & Lois. Hoechlin always knew how to hit the beats when it came to Superman’s heroics and his life as Clark Kent. But when it comes to the movies, previous and unnamed iterations have prioritized the superhero first, leaving us with an unbalanced dark mess. That’s not David Corenswet’s Superman.
Corenswet’s version of the beloved hero prioritized his humanity, a key aspect of Superman. Clark was raised by two humans. He went to school with humans. He works day in and day out with humans. And everything that he does while trying to save the world is grounded in the empathy and love that he has for humans because of how he was raised. That is abundantly clear from the start of the movie to the very end. Humanity grounds him more than where he came from or the powers he holds.
Then there’s Lois and Clark, another key aspect of the story of Superman from the very start. They’re an iconic duo for the very simple reason that they balance each other out. They don’t crush each other’s dreams, strengths, or aspirations. They work hand in hand in very different ways. And I could see that in Rachel Brosnahan and David Corenswet’s Lois and Clark. It’s made even better by the fact that Gunn’s Superman lets them be a regular couple first and heroes second. You’re going to keep hearing me talk about this prioritization of humanity first, but I don’t care because that’s the heart of Superman and this movie knows it.
Romance wise, because yes, that’s a key part of Clark’s journey… it was hot. That’s all I can say without DC breaking down my door. Lois and Clark were hot. I rest my case. Romance is back, people! But real talk. Romance has always been brushed off as this thing that only “women” like. But romance is part of Clark’s story. It always has been. And I love how regular Lois and Clark felt in those toe curling moments but also when they were talking about their jobs, cooking, or even a regular ol’ interview. They’re partners. And that’s hot.
That’s not to say that everything is perfect in Gunn’s Superman. While watching, there was some dialogue that felt like it would fit better for a cartoon version of this Justice League hero. That I could forgive that because we’ve become so used to the dark and broody version of DC that this light version of Superman feels jarring from the jump. What I couldn’t forgive were some of the jokes that felt less like our favorite boy scout and more of Gunn’s humor… which I don’t like and have never liked. Thankfully, the acting saved the awkward jokes or dialogue.
Ultimately, Superman’s biggest strength rests on Clark Kent’s unapologetically humane way of facing this world, no matter the challenges he may face, and on Corenswet and Brosnahan’s effortless chemistry. In combination, they drew the viewer in and took us on a journey where it felt good to hope again. Hope for a brighter future. And hope that everything is going to be ok in a world where “breaking news” feels like the norm and there’s nothing you can do to fight against it. There is still hope. There always will be.
Superman hits theaters on July 11th.
