James Gunn's film presents a Superman who differs significantly from portrayals in previous movies. Often, past versions depict Superman as an unstoppable force, the sole savior with no backup plan if he falters; other heroes might exist, but they’re typically occupied elsewhere. This new version begins with Superman experiencing defeat for the first time. The story Gunn aims to tell centers on Kal-El grappling not only with loss but with repeated setbacks. Throughout the film, Superman struggles in fights and barely manages to survive. The movie brings a vibrant color palette back to superhero films after an era of darker, more serious comic book movies. It evokes the feeling of reading an old Action Comics or a Superman comic from the 90s; the colors are bright and almost cartoonish. Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) orchestrates events that turn public opinion against Superman, ultimately gaining control over how metahumans are handled in the United States. After being captured, Superman vanishes, placing the responsibility on Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan) and Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi) to find him. While I’ve never been a huge fan of Superman, some past versions like the 1978 film, Zack Snyder's *Man of Steel*, and *Superman: The Animated Series* stand out for me. In Gunn’s film, David Corenswet doesn’t necessarily bring anything entirely new to the character; it seems that is simply the nature of Superman. He embodies a sense of hope, recognizing his humanity despite being an alien and making mistakes. Corenswet conveys this essential quality and represents the modern interpretation of the character. It appears Gunn recognized that Superman's straightforward personality couldn’t carry the entire film, which explains why he surrounded him with numerous supporting characters. Gunn often focuses on underdogs, outcasts, and individuals who shouldn’t work together but ultimately find a sense of family. Lex Luthor displays intense rage in this film; his anger has been simmering for quite some time. He's envious of Superman’s popularity while also resenting the fact that he isn’t from Earth. Nicholas Hoult delivers an unhinged performance, and what’s unsettling is how easily someone could succumb to rage or choose to think logically about the future. Lex consistently anticipates everyone else’s moves by two or three steps. Ultraman and The Engineer (Maria Gabriela de Faria) work for Lex Luthor, handling most of the fighting. The Engineer utilizes a nanotechnology suit, while drones control Ultraman at Lex's command. The Justice Gang – consisting of Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion), Mister Terrific, and Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced) – steps in to handle heroic duties when Superman is occupied; Guy Gardner is this universe’s Green Lantern, Mister Terrific invents gadgets to fight crime, and Hawkgirl can fly and wield heavy weaponry. The film dedicates a considerable portion of its story to Ultraman, while The Engineer and Hawkgirl are strong female characters with limited roles. The inclusion of The Engineer hints at a future film centered around The Authority, but Hawkgirl’s character isn't fully developed; she has one memorable scene near the end, but otherwise feels forgettable. Compared to his other films, Gunn tones down the humor considerably. Nathan Fillion’s Guy Gardner embodies Gunn’s signature comedic style with a charmingly immature quality that is hard not to enjoy. Films like *Guardians of the Galaxy* and *Suicide Squad* were driven by constant bickering; there's a Lois interviewing Clark as Superman sequence that seems to be an attempt at capturing this dynamic, and it largely succeeds. Metamorpho (Anthony Carrigan) features some of the most visually striking scenes, and Krypto is fantastic. It’s surprising how much influence Jimmy Olsen (Skyler Gisondo) has in Metropolis; he's quite popular with women. James Gunn strips away Superman’s hope and explores the realistic possibility that he might not always be able to save the day or fulfill people’s expectations. While Superman ultimately overcomes seemingly insurmountable odds, it feels earned, and nearly every supporting character gets a chance to contribute. The film is goofy, disheartening, and rewarding in all the right ways. Some characters don't get as much screen time as others, but it seems like James Gunn is trying to build a DC Universe filled with interesting characters who are not only worthy of being on screen but deserve their place there.

Source on TMDB