The Latest ‘Superman’ Flick: Hit or Hyped Debacle?
Another cinematic rescue mission from DC Studios? Could this be the one that actually sticks instead of face-planting midair? Imagine a team that’s been critically flayed for years suddenly hitting the bullseye—sounds like a stretch, right? The new Superman movie arrives burdened with more baggage than Clark Kent at a costume party, yet it somehow escapes total meltdown.
The film opens with our caped crusader juggling identity crises and kryptonite clichés in equal measure. Director Jane Doe (yes, we’re still waiting for a name that inspires confidence) leans hard into nostalgia, peppering every frame with homages to Donner’s classic while frantically Googling what millennials find “fresh.” The result is a curious hybrid: half retro love letter, half modern reboot, and entirely too long by about twenty minutes.
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes have given it a middling 62 percent—proof that you don’t need to be awe-inspiring to hit fresh territory if the bar is low enough. Over at Metacritic, the score plods along at 58, suggesting that reviewers remain unconvinced by the “we’ve learned our lesson” studio spiel. Even Variety’s headline couldn’t muster more than restrained praise: “A Decent Course Correction.” Meanwhile, a Wall Street Journal op-ed likened it to “wearing your dad’s leather jacket to a smart-casual dinner—you appreciate the sentiment but wonder what you’re missing.”
And let’s talk performances. John Smith’s take on Superman leans more brooding philosopher than sun-soaked savior—perhaps an intentional subversion, perhaps a misfire. His chemistry with Jane Roe’s Lois Lane is serviceable, though you keep waiting for that spark that just never flickers. The supporting cast, from the grizzled reporter at the Daily Planet to the baffling cameo by a mystery actor, feels like padding designed to distract audiences from screenplay potholes.
The script itself swings wildly between lofty proclamations about hope and ham-fisted quips about social media activism. It’s like the writers couldn’t decide if they were scripting a comic book or a TED Talk. By third act, you’ll be rooting for a tie-in to some other DC property just to spice things up.
Visually, the movie does deliver some knockout vistas—think Metropolis skyline in golden hour glory—though these moments often vanish under shaky camera work and too many lens flares. The score, composed by yet another “up-and-coming talent,” tries valiantly to channel John Williams but settles for humming in the background.
So, is this Superman the redemption arc DC Studios desperately needed? It’s not a full-blown triumph, but it’s less embarrassing than the last few attempts. Call it a llittle flight of fancy in an otherwise grounded franchise. Nothing groundbreaking, but at least it doesn’t crash and burn.
And there you have it—your cynic-certified verdict on DC’s latest gamble. Nothing too shocking, folks. Let’s all pretend to be surprised.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and New York Post, Variety, Rotten Tomatoes
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
