Zack Snyder had the right idea.

Superman always works.

But sometimes, different doesn’t mean better.

“A nice new change of pace” is NOT an apt description here.

The MCU wouldn’t even exist without Superman.

Hero #1

He’s the original cape. The figurehead of comic books. He deserves a better tribute – realism, a grounded viewer, relatability.

Superman is the everyman. The most virtuous expression of American male decency. He’s our collective spokehole.

So his dog should behave better. This isn’t some schlub.

Krypto has never appeared in a live-action film before – and for good reason.

The dog is CGI for the entire film. It looks clearly animated in every moment. Our main character has a deus ex machina at his beck and call. It never stops barking or biting at ankles. This loser can’t control his dog – isn’t that relatable?

The use of CGI is this film’s biggest problem. It assumes the audience will accept any and all animation as part of reality’s fabric: a flying villain in the beginning, Superman’s robots, both giant monsters (one standing, one flying), Green Lantern’s constructs, etc.

#3 Green Lantern of Earth

The choice to use Guy Gardner is one of the film’s few inspired decisions. Nathan Fillion is excellent, as always. The man’s a true pro – enjoyable.

Most viewers recognize Nathan Fillion. That’s the first red flag – because nobody wants to critique him. That casting choice functions as a critic shield.

The Justice Gang, in general, feels tacked on and shoddy. Makeup and wardrobe underdeliver. Hawkgirl looks like a woman who put too much effort into comic con. Lantern too.

Mister Terrific

Steals the show.

Such a difficult character to pull off in live-action – and the film mostly succeeds here.

Not a Mysterious Cameo

A new character appears just before the conclusion. High-powered and beloved – even I got excited by the momentary glimpse. However, the character serves Gunn’s ‘socially practical’ directing method more than the story.

A fleeting piece of overindulgence. Its presence doesn’t serve the plot we’ve just watched. Where were they during this most recent turmoil?

Teasing Clark, jokily cursing at him. Which is fun – but does nothing. Surface-level, unsubstantial, gimmicky.

Warner Brothers has repackaged Superman to be more likeable and mainstream. That’s much easier to do with unabashed use of cheats like CGI, green screen and avoiding location shoots. Using masked background actors (like the Earth police force) or post-production sound editing (like ADR).

Speaking of audio, the film is often too loud. Especially during pummelings. This points to a self-conscious approach to filmmaking.

Characters often talk over each other. Feels very Blue Beetle-y – the worst DC film ever produced. Another Gunnified piece. Children interact this way, not adults.

Superman packs similar material. The creators ensured that no evidence of harm came to any individual adult. Superman even wants to tranquilize the kaiju so they can study it.

But this is absurd and nonsensical. Given its size, we must assume that casualties have already occurred. Why would Superman think there’s time for tranquilization? Each wasted moment could cost hundreds of lives.

There are two moments involving CGI squirrels. Superman saves one. Isn’t that…bland?

James Gunn

Everybody’s favorite director came out hot with The Belko Experiment and Guardians of the Galaxy. Small and big. Both excellent.

But Guardians 2 was only okay. Guardians 3 was inadequate. [The holiday special’s better.]

And The Suicide Squad did not prove to be as good – or as life-changing – as people made it out to be. It certainly did not upgrade from the previous version. The film featured a starfish-shaped kaiju, rendered in computer graphics no less.

It’s nice that people are supportive, but Clark’s story deserves inspired direction. This is cookie-cutter filmmaking. Nothing edgy or compelling to the narrative.

The first film delivers the viewer a universe of endless possibility.

He should appear like a firefly in a coal mine. Here, he’s a beacon illuminating infinite tunnel potential – seemingly boundless choice.

Stick to the Universe

Not exciting compared with Snyder’s motivation. This takes things in a decidedly different direction. This isn’t so much Kal’s Earth as it is everybody’s Earth.

Rather – everybody’s socially acceptable Earth. Irritating personality quirks and all.

This is “Aw, shucks” Superman with his podunk parents. He’s just doing his best, ya know?

That instinct – to attempt something different – is good. It allows the film one of its best moments with Pa Kent.

It’s just not that interesting. Yes, it’s different. It’s NOT better.

Not trying to waste my free time on dull-edged Superman. I go to the theater for an experience – not more of the same thing everyone’s doing.

But DC and James Gunn made that choice. This should be better, people. So time to get in line.

Snyder set too high a bar. If Gunn’s Superman had come before Man of Steel, this incarnation might be more acceptable. But instead, it illustrates submission to public opinion – and a broader de-elevation of the DC brand.

★★★★

Briefer thoughts at IMDb & Letterboxd. Or check out The Fantastic Four: First Steps instead!