This
Superman
likes
a
cuppa
of
hot
cocoa,
trusts
people
around
him
quite
easily,
gets
hurt
by
social
media
trolls
(the
‘#Supershit’
particularly
irks
him),
and
admits
to
‘screwing
up’
all
the
time,
discovers
Mayur
Sanap.
The
opening
stretch
of
Superman
does
something
refreshing
to
the
cape-wearing
hero.
For
a
superhero
with
a
demigod
persona,
the
very
first
glimpse
has
him
battered,
bloodied,
and
in
desperate
need
of
help.
His
characteristic
super-strength
is
in
complete
contrast
with
his
vulnerable
state
in
that
moment.
This
is
symbolic
to
the
current
state
of
DC
Universe,
and
the
superhero
genre
at
large.
To
date,
there
have
been
several
Superman
outings
spanning
across
decades
with
actors
like
Christopher
Reeve,
Brandon
Routh
(might
also
remember
his
Bollywood
cameo
in
Kambakkht
Ishq?),
and
Henry
Cavill
playing
the
eponymous
hero
from
DC
Comics.
The
latest
version
takes
a
departure
from
dark
overtones
and
grey
colour
palate
of
the
Christopher
Nolan-backed
Man
of
Steel
and
goes
for
candy-coloured
frames
and
tongue-in-cheek
humour
in
the
trademark
style
of
James
Gunn,
who
achieved
this
successfully
and
memorably
in
Marvel’s
Guardians
of
the
Galaxy
series.
Driven
by
the
comic-book
sensibilities,
the
film
stays
true
to
the
essence
of
character,
and
as
part
of
this
endeavour,
even
the
red
trunks
get
back
into
the
character’s
iconic
look
that
Cavill’s
Superman
costume
lacked.
Gunn
re-imagines
this
world
that
plays
out
as
a
goofy
superhero
comedy
much
like
Taika
Waititi’s
Thor:
Ragnarok.
There’s
some
giddy
fun
to
have
with
this
new
Superman
especially
if
you
are
a
comic
book
enthusiast.
But
as
for
everyone
else,
this
film
doesn’t
evoke
any
awe
or
surprise
within
the
framework
of
already
worn-out
superhero
genre.
David
Corenswet
plays
the
sweet
and
affable
Superman
with
a
boyish
charm.
In
extension
of
his
signature
heroic
qualities,
he
is
given
relatability
that
comes
from
his
everyday
guy
persona.
His
Superman
likes
a
cuppa
of
hot
cocoa,
trusts
people
around
him
quite
easily,
gets
hurt
by
social
media
trolls
(the
‘#Supershit’
particularly
irks
him),
and
admits
to
‘screwing
up’
all
the
time.
Gunn,
who
has
also
written
the
story,
starts
off
things
pretty
well
and
keeps
things
moving
at
express
speed.
There’s
no
reiteration
of
Superman’s
backstory
or
digressive
world-building
around
his
native
planet
Krypton.
His
Superman
already
exists
in
the
world.
His
alter
ego
Clark
Kent
is
already
in
love
with
journalist
colleague
Lois
Lane
(Rachel
Brosnahan).
The
opening
set-piece
is
when
we
see
him
in
the
middle
of
the
fight
with
the
high-tech
android
orchestrated
by
tech
billionaire
Lex
Luthor
(the
suitably
punchable
Nicholas
Hoult),
whose
villainy
stems
from
his
jealousy
towards
Superman.
The
plot
is
straight-forward
and
remains
cohesive,
until
it
becomes
increasingly
silly
because
of
the
decidedly
cartoonish
hero-villain
story.
The
novelty
is
worn
off
as
soon
the
predictability
of
plot
kicks
in,
and
you
soon
reach
the
point
where
the
CGI-infused,
comic-book-turned-video
game
like
mayhem
starts
to
wear
on
you.
Even
Gunn’s
usual
brand
of
humour
fails
to
evoke
any
genuine
reaction
adding
to
exhaustion.
Besides
its
eponymous
hero,
the
focus
is
also
on
The
Boys
like
group
of
metahumans
called
‘Justice
Gang’
that
works
alongside
Superman.
They
are
managed
by
the
corporation
and
come
to
aid
whenever
the
city
is
under
any
threat.
There’s
some
fun
in
this
track,
and
as
the
genius
one
of
this
group,
Edi
Gathegi
is
especially
amazing
as
Mr
Terrific.
Despite
the
initial
promise,
these
characters
remain
in
the
background
and
appear
only
for
comic
relief,
which
feels
like
a
disservice
to
them.
The
film
also
nudges
on
geopolitics
as
it
incorporates
some
political
themes
into
its
narrative.
But
these
big
ideas
seem
to
be
out
of
place
for
a
story
that’s
obviously
non-serious
in
nature.
In
one
striking
scene,
Lois
and
Clark
get
into
a
slow-building
argument
where
she
questions
him
for
meddling
in
international
affairs,
while
he
maintains
that
he
just
wants
to
make
the
world
a
better
place.
David
Corenswet
brings
the
heroism
and
earnestness
to
the
role,
while
Rachel
Brosnahan
(The
Marvelous
Mrs
Maisel)
brings
likability
to
her
feisty
Lois.
He
also
shares
a
wonderful
chemistry
with
his
canine
friend
Krypto,
a
character
designed
to
remind
you
of
your
doggie
if
you
ever
had
one.
For
all
its
lightweight
entertainment,
Superman
is
perfectly
functional
within
two-hours
of
runtime.
But
for
a
film
that
wants
to
revive
the
DC
Universe,
the
story
needed
more
heft,
more
meat
to
make
us
actually
care
about
this
world
and
its
characters.
Superman
Review
Rediff
Rating:
