Artem Mozgovoy
I recently had the chance to experience James Gunn’s Superman on the big screen — the way it’s meant to be seen. Before the film they even showed a trailer for Christopher Nolan’s Odyssey, which hasn’t even been released online yet. It felt like a sign from above, considering how Nolan once revitalized the superhero genre with his Batman films in the 2000s – or at the very least, played a major role in shaping the genre as we know it today.
The story of Kal-El won’t leave anyone indifferent. It’s rare to see such a unique blend of animation, blockbuster spectacle and romantic adventure brought to life with a substantial budget and stunning visuals. The style borders on the surreal, making the narrative feel light, captivating, and never for a second too silly.
Superman seems to chuckle a little at humanity in the sense that the characters around him are somewhat caricatured and comical, yet portrayed realistically enough that we laugh along with the film, recognizing echoes of real life in them.
Perhaps the entire myth of Superman tells us that we decide who we want to be and how we choose to live. What matters is understanding that we are responsible for our choices every single second and maybe, that sense of responsibility is where the true miracle lies.
No one knows what comes next, but if there’s a power within that can move mountains and defeat evil, maybe that’s what the rebirth of this legend is all about. A new beginning for the cinematic universe and a challenge to all of humanity. After all, the letter “S” can stand for many things — Strength, or perhaps Strangeness — and even if that’s the case, James Gunn’s new film is anything but boring. It leaves you with renewed hope for the future of the DC Universe.
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