Plot: What’s it about?
I’m not entirely sure as to the answer to the forthcoming question, but I have to wonder what the longest amount of time has passed between a Batman and/or a Superman movie? I’m sure a few seconds on the internet will get me the answer I’m looking for, but this is mainly just a precursor to my review. Truthfully, the Dark Knight and the Man of Steel have been (and likely always will be) two of the most bankable stars. We’ve had plenty of A-listers done the cowl and cape with…mixed results. I didn’t really follow why there was a new version of Superman being made or that it was the launchpad for a new DC Universe (the DCU). Evidently, the “old” DCEU is no longer a thing and I suppose the best way to think of this film is that it’s the Iron Man of this new universe. Ok, I can get behind that. But speaking of “behind” DC is a couple of decades tardy to the party. Nevertheless…we get our titular hero who’s made the cut for this new universe along with a handful of others (look for John Cena in his Peacemaker garb in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-him cameo) to start things off.
Krypto the (space) dog. Isn’t he adorable?This version of Superman assumes you know his origin story – he was shipped off his dying planet by his parents and the sun gives him superhuman powers, he grew up in Kansas, etc. If you don’t, I really envy someone who doesn’t know the story of one of the most iconic characters of the last century. At any rate, knowing this allows the story to leap right into this tale, so up and away we go.
Superman/Clark Kent (David Corenswet) is trying to make it as a reporter at the Daily Planet. His girlfriend/co-worker, Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan) knows of his secret identity. But Superman is the victim of a plot to destroy his reputation due to this “involvement” in a war between fictional countries of Jarhanpur and Boravia. As we might guess, the mastermind behind this plot is none other than Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult). Superman, now fallible both physically and with his reputation has to find a way to stop Luthor, but also take a step back and re-examine his role as Earth’s protector. With public opinion of him waning, there’s only a handful that still have his back and one of them is his loyal, trusty canine – Krypto. There’s more, of course, we get a trio of superheroes led by Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion) who lend a hand, but at the end of the day we all know who’s show it really is.
I’m a big fan of Gunn’s work. A lot of people are, actually which is why he’s in the spot he’s in. I wasn’t too familiar with David Corenswet other than his role in Pearl a few years back. He seems to bring just the right amount of charisma to take on a role as big as this. Rachel Brosnahan does fine as Lois, she lends a little more creditability to the role than, say, Kate Bosworth who we were supposed to believe was a working mother with a three year-old. At any rate, the less said about the 2006 adaptation, the better. But if this really is the first movie of a new, dedicated universe then I’ll tune in. Marvel seems to have reached the end of their rope with the amount of movies, television series and characters so maybe the DC universe will continue to entertain us?
Video: How’s it look?
Oh come on, this is Superman we’re talking about! If this looked anything other than perfect, it’d be a travesty. Couple that with the fact that it was one of the marquee releases of the year from Warner Brothers and, well – there ya go. Presented in a somewhat odd aspect ratio of 1.90:1 the HEVC 4K image sparkles from beginning to end. The texture in Superman’s outfit, the details in the background, the crystal clear clarity (say that five time fast) in each and every scene, need I say more? Probably not. Strong, bold contrast and bright colors are used in just about every scene. If it’s picture perfection you’re after – look no further.
Audio: How’s it sound?
Mono. Really? All we get is one channel? Ok, I kid. I almost had ya, though didn’t I? No? Ok. As expected we get a Dolby Atmos mix that, well, rocks. I don’t know what the exact precedent is needed when you see Metropolis ripping in half, but until (but hopefully not) that happens, we’ll have to use this as reference material. Surrounds, all of ’em, are used often and with great effect. When the sound of Krypto the dog coming to the aid of his “master” sounds as good as it does, imagine how the rest of the movie will sound. Yeah. And multiply that by…the number of speakers in your setup. Suffice it to say that this one checks all the boxes as expected. And that’s good. The last son of Krypton deserves nothing less.
Supplements: What are the extras?
- Krypto Saves the Day!: School Bus Scuffle – If you couldn’t get enough of Krypto during the film (and, let’s face it – who couldn’t?) then this 2-D animation with our canine friend chasing a pigeon is entertaining.
- Adventures in Making Superman – There are some of these features that are titled “The Making of…” and it’s a three minute fluff piece with a few sound quips here and there. This isn’t one of those. Rather this is a multi month long segment that examines most every angle, behind the scenes footage and interview than you can shake a piece of kryptonite at. In short, this hour-long feature is packed to the gills with everything and anything you’d want or need to know about the film.
- Icons Forever: Superman’s Enduring Legacy – Pretty much that. We get a six minute look at the long lasting endure and appeal of the man of steel.
- Lex Luthor: The Mind of a Master Villain – Nicholas Hoult gives his his take on one of the most iconic villains to ever grace the screen and what he thought and hoped he’d bring to the role.
- Kryptunes: The Music of Superman – Composers David Fleming and John Murphy give us their take on what their score brought to the film.
- Paws to Pixels: Krypto is Born – Say it with me “Awwwww…” yeah I know that the pup is CGI and he rubbed some fans the wrong way, but I chuckled when I saw him on screen. This gives us a look at how he was created.
- Breaking News: The Daily Planet Returns – Again, just that. We get a brief tour of the Daily Planet.
- The Ultimate Villain – No, we already had a feature on Lex Luthor rather this one focuses on his creation, Ultraman. And no, it’s not Black Noir from The Boys. But the resemblance is uncanny.
- The Justice Gang – The comic relief of the “Justice Gang” is profiled with all three actors shown in various stages of makeup and adding some candid comments along the way.
- A New Era: DC Takes Off – We get a more whimsical look at this “new direction” that the DCU is heading.
The Bottom Line
There’s a new direction for the Man of Steel and if this film is any indication of the way the DCU is heading, then the future looks bright. Then again, this one set the bar pretty high. Superman checks all the boxes and doesn’t give us the same thing we’ve seen time and again. Adding in Gunn’s quirky behavior along with an ensemble cast, this one delivers.
