Forget the dark and depressive tone that Zack Snyder gave to DC Comics’ heroes in the past decade. The new
Superman
, which arrives in Brazilian cinemas on Thursday (10), brings to Superman the hope and innocence that have accompanied him in the comics since his origin in 1938. Under the direction and screenplay of James Gunn, the new head of the audiovisual division of the publisher, the film has a narrative that – for better or worse – resembles
Guardians of the Galaxy
, the trilogy that the filmmaker made for Marvel.
There are vibrant colors, pop songs inserted at key moments in the story, and cute animals that steal the scene (Krypto, unlike Rocket Racoon, cannot speak, but is no less expressive). But there are also jokes delivered throughout most of the movie that dissipate any tension from the more dramatic sequences.
To lay the cornerstone of the new Universe of
DC
(a the Creature Commandos animation, released at the end of last year, is more of a prologue than an actual beginning), Gunn came up with a mock-up script that is more concerned with setting up the next impressive action scene than building a real story.
Superman (
David Corenswet
) is already an established hero at the beginning of the movie, sparing the audience from seeing yet another origin story of the baby sent from Krypton to Earth by his parents before the planet’s destruction — although these moments remain essential to the plot. His alter ego, Clark Kent, is also already a journalist employed by the Daily Planet and who lives between scuffles and kisses with Lois Lane (
Rachel Brosnahan
)
The hero, however, begins to have a public image crisis after intervening in a possible war and, in the process, causing a diplomatic crisis between the United States and the fictional Borovia. Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) takes advantage of this to convince the American government that Superman is a threat that needs to be contained.
From there, a story begins that involves interdimensional travels, a giant monster that seems to have come out of a movie by
Godzilla
or an episode of the
Power Rangers
It’s the appearance of less well-known DC heroes, brought together in the Justice League –which is funded by a questionable moral businessman, in the best style of Vought International, from
The Boys
.
With a budget of hundreds of millions, Superman does not fall short in the breathtaking action scenes — with special effects that impress. The cast is also very good, with highlights to Rachel Brosnahan, Edi Gathegi (who plays Mr. Incredible) and the duo Pruitt Taylor Vince and Neva Howell, who play Clark’s adoptive parents, Jonathan and Martha Kent.
David Corenswet has a difficult mission and has started to face fan criticism for
Henry Cavill
As soon as he was cast in the role. But the actor, despite having few prominent roles in his resume, does well both as Clark Kent and as Superman — even in moments when the hero delivers motivational speeches in an imposing and somewhat unnatural tone.
Already Nicholas Hoult stands out a bit from other actors with the almost childish tone he gives to Lex Luthor, as if the billionaire were a spoiled child who wants a better toy than his classmates — the fact that he has a superficial influencer girlfriend doesn’t help much. But the choice makes more sense when considering that the mega-villain was freely inspired in
Elon Musk
.
In general, Superman is a promising start for the new DC Comics Universe, and those who go to
cinema
Expecting light entertainment will not be disappointed. The expectation is, however, that Gunn manages to bring some order to the house and structure the upcoming releases before getting lost in the chaos that has already plagued the publisher in the past and now also affects Marvel. And that he allows the characters to experience intense moments without the need for a joke to break the ice all the time.
Check out the trailer of Superman, the main release of the week in cinemas:
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