This isn’t a bad film by any stretch; there's a lot to appreciate, and it's easily the best Superman movie since Christopher Reeve. David Corenswet as Superman/Clark is fantastic, and his portrayal of the character would have been nearly perfect if not for one significant plot twist. The film emphasizes that actions define who someone is, which I appreciated. Michael Shannon also delivers a great performance; you can feel his anger and malice in those smug little victories against Superman. Rachel Brosnahan shines as Lois Lane, and her interactions with both Clark and the Justice League are delightfully comic-book accurate. Furthermore, the action sequences, score, and visuals all capture that classic comic book style and are genuinely impressive to watch. Mr Terrific and Metamorpho are particularly entertaining. However, there's a major twist that most viewers might not notice, but as a dedicated Superman fan, it significantly lowers my rating from an 8 or 9 to a 6 or 7 out of 10. The twist involves portraying the House of El (Jor-El and Lara) as evil and having Superman question his alien heritage. While I understand the intention—that actions define him more than his background—making them completely villainous and having Clark reject his heritage by replacing his Kryptonian parents’ footage with that of his Earth parents feels disappointing. Specifically, this decision undermines the immigrant allegory. In the comics, Clark's loneliness stems from growing up as an alien, constantly needing to hide his powers and true identity because he fears rejection. He yearns for Krypton, a place where he could truly be himself. To depict his entire origin planet as evil doesn’t help that story. It’s like being an immigrant and suddenly hearing news reports declaring your home country and its people evil—a clear case of xenophobia. The idea that Clark wouldn't care about his parents or his heritage because he didn't know them seems illogical. Learning that his father tried to save a world that wouldn't listen would undoubtedly impact someone trying to save the world every day. A comic book issue, ACTION COMICS #794, perfectly illustrates this loneliness and fear of rejection. Seeing Clark as an adolescent watching a film with friends where aliens are portrayed as villains while everyone cheers for them highlights the pain and isolation he feels knowing those around him want him gone. This is precisely why his origin needs to be faithfully adapted; it's where his character, morality, and core identity truly shine. It explores his identity crisis and loneliness and shows that his actions are shaped by all of his experiences as both an alien and a human. This also adds depth to his eventual rivalry with Lex Luthor and showcases his relationships with other powered beings like the Legion of Superheroes. Relatedly, SUPERBOY’s inclusion is important because it demonstrates his teen heroics leading to his meeting with the Legion of Superheroes. His adventures with them are where he truly finds himself, as they face similar challenges. With the Legion, he finally experiences a community where he doesn't have to hide anything, can share his problems, and feels less lonely—validated by the knowledge that a future where superpowered beings are accepted exists. (As an aside, this is also why his romance with mermaid Lori Lemaris is meaningful to me. Intimacy often occurs with someone you can be vulnerable with, making it fitting for him to have his first experience with another Kryptonian like Lyra Lerrol.) His yearning for his Kryptonian heritage doesn’t make him less human; wanting a secret identity/persona like Clark demonstrates that he still enjoys Earth and cherishes humanity. He's meant to embody the best of both worlds, and a one-sided portrayal diminishes his character. I want to reiterate that emphasizing his humanity removes too many layers from the story. Another reason for adapting his origin is his relationship with Lex Luthor. In Smallville and other key comics like Birthright, Secret Origin, and Last Days of Lex, a young Clark often has a brief friendship with Lex. Both felt isolated as children; Lex was a science enthusiast constantly rejected for being different. Clark protected him, leading to their "friendship." But Lex's obsession with the universe led to a disastrous experiment that almost killed people, further isolating him and fueling his resentment. Clark feels guilty because he believes telling Lex who he truly is might have prevented his descent into evil. Perhaps together, they could have used their powers to create a better tomorrow. This context makes their rivalry more complex; Superman isn’t just stopping an evil person but trying to save a friend. There are other aspects of the film I dislike, such as Jimmy not being quirky enough and most of the Daily Planet feeling like caricatures. These are minor issues that can be addressed in future installments. Despite my criticisms, there's still much to enjoy in this film, and it’s clear that it was made with passion. It remains the best Superman movie since 1978. The portrayal of evil Kryptonians is what ultimately held me back. Finally, Kara’s cameo at the end feels jarring; if the El's are truly evil, why does she still embrace her heritage and wear the House of El symbol? It seems to contradict the film’s central premise. I genuinely wanted to love this movie, and there were many moments that made me cheer as a comic book fan. However, these flaws significantly impacted my experience. I want Superman, my favorite character, to be adapted well. While this is definitely the best adaptation since 1978, it didn't quite hit the mark for me. If you’re a comic fan or simply enjoy movies, I’m sure you’ll find enjoyment in its endearing and action-packed story. For now, I’ll stick with the comics.

Source on TMDB