Revitalizing ‘Superman’: Gunn’s Kindhearted Hero Battles Modern Issues
The Man of Steel remains the same – faster than a speeding bullet and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, still in his iconic attire, only this time he has a heart. In James Gunn’s new adaptation of the Superman comics, kindness, empathy, and decency define his superpower. This is quite a different approach to Zack Snyder’s gloomy, nihilistic Superman, with Gunn injecting positivity into the red boots once more and avoiding the “greenwashing” criticisms he’s faced. The film, like modern Superman himself, deals with contemporary issues of misinformation and xenophobia, along with the age-old storylines of Superman’s battles against monsters. Is this the best Superman film? Perhaps not, with a plot too stuffed and chaotic for some. But David Corenswet’s engaging performance in the red and blue spandex, and the film’s relevance to present times, make it an unmissable production in the Superman franchise.

– The latest adaptation of the Superman franchise highlights the character’s heart and kindness, rather than his physical superpowers.
– In this version, Superman, played by David Corenswet, stands up against misinformation and xenophobia, battling monsters alongside other characters from the DC universe.
– The movie’s plot points reflect contemporary issues and despite some negative early critiques, it is said to be a timely interpretation of the iconic superhero.
He still remains the iconic Man of Steel – faster than a bullet in flight, with the power to jump over skyscrapers in one stride, and yes, he still has his underwear on the outside of his clothes. But there’s a new element. Superman, after several decades, has a heart.
In James Gunn’s latest interpretation of the legendary DC Comics series, it is the persona’s compassion that is seen as the most superpower. Not strength. Not speed. Not the capacity to see through walls. But humanness, empathy, and that one other quality that the American people once held in high regard. Indeed, it was kindness.
Here we have a Superman who, amidst a monster invasion in Metropolis, stops to rescue a squirrel.
The franchise, which has been shrouded in darkness for over a decade, with Zack Snyder transforming the Kid from Krypton into a grumpy, brooding, and nihilistic figure, feels revitalised. Seeing an upbeat spring in those well-known red boots is truly a refreshing sight.
Critics, including former Lois & Clark actor Dean Cain, claim the film is excessively “woke”. Such claims are misplaced and the characterization is not drastically altered to match these accusations. These are the kind of uninformed internet rantings you’d anticipate from a group of monkeys with access to keyboards. In the Superman film, by the way, Lex Luthor uses this method to produce online misleading information, as played by Nicholas Hoult. Hoult accurately depicts Luthor as a manic tech entrepreneur architecting social media disinformation against Superman, played by newcomer, David Corenswet in the famous red and blue outfit.
Despite this, several plotlines in the movie feel fresh and relevant to the current sociopolitical climate. Superman not only combats monsters but also battles misinformation and xenophobia. This translates into a Lex Luthor who embodies aspects of Elon Musk’s ego and Jeff Bezos’s hairstyle.
Even when Superman stirs controversy by intervening in a war between two fictional countries without the White House’s approval, the film steers away from overt political commentary. Is one of these supposed countries Russia and the other Ukraine? Or do they represent the Israel and Gaza conflict? Gunn intentionally leaves it open-ended to keep you guessing.
Although Superman may not be the best Superman movie ever made according to critics’ reviews, a large consensus believes that Corenswet fills the iconic role smoothly. Even if it is not the best Superman ever made, it’s undoubtedly the perfect Superman movie for these trying times, reminding us of what truth, justice, and the American way are supposed to look like. It could be the hero the world needs right now.
I think it’s great to see Superman portrayed with more compassion. It’s refreshing to have a hero who tackles real-world problems without losing his sense of hope.