Culture
‘Superman’: I’m invincible, but I’m still in pain
By: Gordon Briggs
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Superman has always been a symbol of truth and justice. However, in a world where truth has become subjective, and justice feels evasive, how can someone truly be a hero? That’s one of the ideas kicking around in this flawed but still energetic and entertaining superhero movie built around the Man of Steel.
You know the broad strokes of the story. Superman tries to protect Metropolis and his friends from the plot hatched by the evil Lex Luthor and his gang of superpowered villains. It may seem odd, but I want to start by praising the film for what it didn’t do. Rather than giving us another origin story, the movie assumes its audience is familiar with this character’s mythology and begins by dropping us right into the middle of a conflict.
Additionally, the movie introduces us to some fun, newer heroes who haven’t been featured in a DC movie before. I particularly like Mr. Terrific, a smart and charismatic hero who I would like to see in their own movie. A different superhero flick would insist on showing our team, “The Justice Gang,” being assembled, but I enjoy the new gangs’ lack of reverence for Superman. The way the heroes talk with each other gives the impression that saving the planet is just another rough day at work.
What I enjoyed most is how the film continually emphasizes Superman’s physical and emotional pain. Right from the opening, where the titular hero crashes to the ground, bruised and broken, it is clear this is a film where the hero will not be invincible. Director James Gunn understands the assumption that our hero is invulnerable and then proceeds to attack him on all sides, emphasizing all the ways he is vulnerable.
In battling Lex Luthor, Superman’s handsome and chiseled appearance will become twisted, bloodied, and bruised. We even see him emotionally lose it when his pet dog, Krypto, goes missing. Just because this Superman can’t be easily destroyed doesn’t mean he can’t be hurt.
If there are gripes, it’s that this feels like a longer, more epic movie that was probably cut down to roughly two hours. That choice shortens the runtime but also makes some events feel messier and more rushed than they should be. There’s even a subplot involving a war in a fictional country that always felt a little rushed to me. However, it does give the folks at the Daily Planet a chance to save the day and fight fake news through old-fashioned journalism.
Also, Superman saves people. Over and over again, the film shows him saving someone —human, alien, or dog. That’s exactly what I want out of my heroes. Rating: ★ ★ ★