Film Review: Is it a turkey? No, it’s super-duper!

Everyone remembers their first Superman. From the first actor to portray him, Kirk Alyn in 1948, to Christopher Reeve in 1978, and more recent additions, such as Henry Cavill, as well as small screen actors like Dean Cain and Tyler Hoechlin... we all have a Superman who reminds us of our childhood or our first introduction to the superhero genre.

While not everyone is overly enthusiastic about superheroes, Superman has always been the one superpowered being that brings people together. He is the epitome of goodness. He has complete trust in people, believes that there is good in everyone, and even tries his best not to kill the bad guys.

The more recent iteration of Superman, brought to us by Zack Snyder, introduced a darker side to the Man of Steel. Although he made some decent choices, with Henry Cavill in the lead, it didn’t sit right.

The announcement James Gunn was taking over the DC cinematic universe was met with much excitement. Gunn, who helmed Marvel’s Guardians Of The Galaxy, is a diehard comic fan. He knows these worlds better than anyone.

However, there has been considerable discussion about whether we need another Superman movie. The answer to that is a big yes. In a world where things are rarely black and white, where much of it is grey, he brings the light, and that is why we will always need him.

David Corenswet was born to play Superman. With his perfect chiselled jaw, dimples, and hot but wholesome good looks, this is an actor living out his destiny.

We first meet him when Superman is in the bad books, and his alter ego, Clark Kent, has a dilemma. He is also having a terrible day.

When the film begins, Superman has been saving lives for three years. He is a successful reporter at the Daily Planet, and he and fellow reporter Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan), who knows he is Superman, have been dating for three months.

For the first time in three years, Superman takes a hit he can’t bounce back from and needs help to get back to the Fortress of Solitude, where he heals and listens to the message his parents, Jor-El and Lara Lor-Van (Bradley Cooper and Angela Sarafyan) left for him when they sent him to Earth.

Until recently, everyone loved Superman, but recent action has people wondering if he has crossed a line. When the fictional country of Boravia attacked the fictional country of Jorharpur, Superman stepped in. Jorharpur is a relatively poor country, and the attack by Boravia was unwarranted and driven by a dictator-like ruler.

Superman managed to maintain the peace with minimal damage, but some believe he is interfering with diplomacy and tarnishing the United States’ reputation.

There is a significant social media backlash, which might be driven by cruel billionaire CEO of LutherCorp, Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult), who may or may not have reason to hate Superman.

With the seed of disquiet planted, life for Superman is getting a little complicated. He agrees to let Lois interview him, but doesn’t help himself and leaves her in a quandary about what she can and cannot write about him. The public needs to know what is going on in Superman’s head, but can she really hurt the man she is growing to love?

While Clark and Lois contemplate their future, Superman is called to action by the appearance of a giant beast in Metropolis. He doesn’t have to face it alone; he has backup from Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi), Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced), and Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion), three superheroes who aren’t as powerful as Sups but are still pretty strong.

While they are dealing with the monster, a tape is leaked purporting to reveal Superman’s real purpose on Earth, and everyone’s favourite hero suddenly becomes villain No.1 as the world turns its back on him.

Can Superman regain trust, and can Lois use her investigative journalist skills to prove a sinister force is trying to destroy his reputation?

Gunn’s dedication to the comics means that he has made a film that features lighter moments, leans into some goofiness, but also bursts with warmth and heart, just like Superman should.

Corenswet and Brosnahan have sizzling chemistry, and, just as he was born to play Sups, Brosnahan makes for a brilliant and savvy Lois.

And wait until you see Krypto, the superdog.

There are moments Gunn overstuffs the plot, but when it’s good, Superman soars.

Superman, in cinemas, July 11, cert 12a, ****