Superman

Tropic Sprockets by Ian Brockway

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Many moviegoers and television fans have fond memories of Superman, the alien being from far away Krypton who landed in America and evolved to stand for the motto of “Truth, Justice and The American Way” in the best sense of that phrase without cynicism or political duplicity.

Now in 2025, director James Gunn (“Guardians of the Galaxy”) delivers “Superman,” a colorful, humorous and affectionate adventure, depicting The Man of Steel once again fighting for the good of the world and the average human regardless of his or her ethnicity, personal belief or social position. The action may be frenetic and even silly at times but the film never loses its heart or spirit. The narrative is refreshingly buoyant, good natured, and mindful of the generous verve that is indeed present.

Superman (David Corenswet) is recuperating from his defeat by Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) and his army of metal soldiers involving a war with an Eastern European country, named Boravia. He recovers his stamina only to discover that public opinion in America is against him. Most Americans feel that Superman is a spy sent to downgrade and enslave America, a plot in reality hatched by Luthor.

Luckily Superman (and Clark Kent) is aided by Krypto (his occasionally errant dog), Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion), Mr. Terrific (Edi Gathegi), and Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced).

Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan) has romantic charge with traces of Margot Kidder from the 1970s, and Jimmy Olsen (Skyler Gisondo) is sneaky but likable. Lex Luthor is perfect as the authoritarian villain you’ll love to hate.

While the middle of the film is overly noisy, the element that most comes across is Superman’s charm, generosity and altruistic strength along with his Hollywood charisma.

Through this Superman we experience what kindness actually is as conveyed in a hero film. Fans of the 1970s Superman incarnation will be deeply moved that a spark of the great Christopher Reeve exists in the portrayal by David Corenswet. Not once does Superman swagger in bravado; he is simply a very kind metahuman that happened to be born from afar, an alien who sincerely adopted America and Earth as his comfort and his home. Superman as a hero and a cultural figure has no intent of malice or selfishness and we can all be mindful of his possibility and existence.

Write Ian at ianfree11@yahoo.com