FILM REVIEW: SUPERMAN (12A) ESP RATING: 3/5

This modern reinvention of Superman throws a lot of imaginative things at the wall – some stick, some don’t.

With the bits that stick, DC head-honcho James Gunn – who directs the first live-action opening to this new revamped universe – deserves immense praise, for really trying to put his Guardians of the Galaxy-influenced stamp on this.

He adds lots of adventurous twists to try and bring the very traditional superhero kicking and screaming into 2025, but depending what generation you are from, will probably be alienating to some – or a refreshing breath of fresh air to others.

In fact, from action sequences, humour, and sub-plots it’s all a bit hit-and-miss – arguably uneven throughout – but the one constant is the casting.

David Corenswet, Nicholas Hoult and Rachel Brosnahan all shine as the holy trinity of Superman/Clark Kent, Lois Lane and Lex Luthor respectively – with Edi Gathegi’s Mr Terrific arguably stealing the show in support.

Much like with 2006’s Superman Returns, the origin story of Kal-El is skipped, with a grown up Clark Kent already in a relationship with his Daily Planet colleague Lois after being sent to Earth thirty years ago after the destruction of Krypton, with metahumans being acknowledged – and the super-powered Superman being the most famous.

But his nefarious arch-nemesis Luthor has his own agenda with Supes, and after The Last Son of Krypton thwarts a war by preventing an invasion by Boravia into neighbouring Jarhanpur, Luthor plants the seeds with the US Government – and General Rick Flag Sr (Frank Grillo) – that he is a ‘threat’ to the world, and Lex can ‘take him out’ if necessary.

Cue intro where Superman – who shows more vulnerability than has been portrayed on the big-screen before – has been beaten in his first battle against Ultraman (aka the Hammer of Boravia) – controlled by Luthor’s drones which anticipate his every move – and we see the introduction of his pet dog Krypto take an injured Man of Steel back to the Fortress of Solitude.

But when Luthor and his cronies break into his iconic home and steal a message from Superman’s father Jor-El (Bradley Cooper) – which urges Kal-El to conquer the Earth to restore the Kryptonian race – Supes is taken into custody and imprisoned in a ‘pocket dimension’.

Cue Lois and the Justice Gang (who will no doubt eventually evolve into the Justice League) – composed of Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion), Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced), Metamorpho (Anothony Carrigan) and the aforementioned Mr Terrific – to come together to try and save him – along with the likes of Lois’ Daily Planet colleagues Perry White (Wendell Pierce) and Jimmy Olsen (Skyler Gisondo) – as they unite behind Superman.

And in the midst of this, we see the yo-yo effect of Gunn’s direction, from a ridiculous kaiju battle that looks comically out-of-place, to a super-cool high-tech gadget-fuelled Mr Terrific/Lois Lane action sequence – to the backdrop of Noah and the Whale’s catchy ‘Five Years Time’ tune. And the contemporary twist of the classic Superman theme still intermittently induces ‘goose bumps’ too.

Ultimately, this is one really divisive movie, but with Gunn’s inventive approach – and the characters now in place – the positives just about outweigh the negatives to optimistically launch this soft reboot of the DCU. Even Krypto is a welcome inclusion, or an outright annoyance, depending on your point of view.

But if you’re a fan of the original Christopher Reeve movies – or even the ones before – this will undoubtedly prove to be ‘Kryptonite’ to some hardcore fans.

I’m squarely ‘sitting on the fence’ somewhere in the middle – with Gunn firing a commendable first shot across the bows.

ESP Rating: 3/5

Gavin Miller

Odeon Luxe Peterborough & Showcase Cinema De Lux Peterborough, Out Now

Cast: David Corenswet, Nicholas Hoult, Rachel Brosnahan, Edi Gathegi, Nathan Fillion, Isabela Merced, Anthony Carrigan, Skyler Gisondo, Sara Sampaio, Wendell Pierce, Frank Grillo, Milly Alcock, John Cena & Bradley Cooper

Running Time: 2 Hrs 9 Mins

Director: James Gunn

Film Review Venue: Odeon Luxe Imax Peterborough

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