Director James Gunn knows how to throw a party on screen. He builds emotions with interesting characters, stunning visuals, and ear worm needle drops to build toward memorable cinematic moments.
You’ve seen it before in all three Guardians of the Galaxy films.
Superman isn’t the tightly scripted story you saw in GotG, which makes sense. It’s harder to tell an underdog misfit story — Gun’s specialty — when the focus is on the most famous, most celebrated, most powerful superbeing on the planet.
In the film, Gunn snags premises from our society’s current headlines and wields them like kryptonite to smash through Superman’s super persona. The movie is very much an “of the times” story, looking at how public perception can be used to bludgeon people with good, selfless intentions.
Superman skips Kal-El’s backstory to focus on one moment in time. However, it doesn’t skip several heartwarming moments where we see how Superman’s relationship with his Earth parents made him the (Super) man he is today.
There are emotional moments but the film never gets too heavy and doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s a message but not a heavy-handed one.
The violence, though, can get a little heavy handed. There are a few intense fighting moments that can be hard to watch for younger viewers. In this DC universe, Superman takes a licking. Frequently. From his enemies and from his dog Krypto. Lots of lickings from Krypto.
And Krypto is why one fight caused my five-year-old to go from covering her eyes to cheering out loud. She wasn’t the only one in the crowd cheering that moment.
You don’t need a drink to celebrate at this party. Superman will sweep you off your feet if you let him. Don’t read bullshit reviews (other than this one) or trolling Reddit posts from people who just found out Superman isn’t from Earth.
Just go enjoy the movie. It’s fun. You will have fun. Unless you’re an asshole. Then you will not have fun.
In theaters: Now
🎬🎬🎬
Where to watch
Rating: PG-13 (Me: 8+)
Director: James Gunn
Starring: David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult
Run time: 2h 9m
Post-credits scenes: One mid-credits, one post-credits
Bathroom breaks: According to RunPee…
- 29:05 when Lex Luthor says, “This is what we came for.”
- 1:01:35 when Lois says, “This haircut should be against your vows.”
- 1:28:00 when the newscaster hits us with unnecessary exposition
Sequel? More like a Universe
If you liked Superman, check out these films and series:
- Superman (1978) (6+)
- Superman: Man of Tomorrow (2020) (6+)
- Superman: The Animated Series (1996–2000 series) (6+)
- My Adventures with Superman (2023–? series) (6+)
- DC League of Super-Pets (2022) (5+)
See more Pint-Sized Reviews
Find this title on the Family Film Recommendations list
