I have a few thoughts on the James Gunn, Superman movie.
Who is Superman
Before we begin, let’s first understand who is Superman. Superman aka Kal-El, was born on Krypton. His biological parents Jor-El and Lara sent him to earth shortly before Krypton was destroyed. His ship landed in the American countryside of Smallville, Kansas, where he was found and adopted by farmers Jonathan and Martha Kent, who named him Clark Kent.
The Kents realized he was superhuman; due to the Earth’s yellow sun, all of his physical and sensory abilities are far beyond those of a human. Growing up his adoptive parents instilled in him strong morals, he chooses to use his powers to benefit humanity, and fights crime as a vigilante.
To protect his personal life, he changes into a primary-colored costume and uses the alias “Superman”. Clark resides in Metropolis, and works as a journalist for the Daily Planet.
[Thank you Wikipedia!]
His Identity
The earliest scenes of the movie begins with him interacting with videos of his biological parents and how he finds it soothing. It helps to inform him on his role on earth as a protector. In a way, its not just informing him but also affirming his actions.
In fact, his biological parents words govern the actions he takes in the movie. Many times we also look to our loved ones as guiding pillars on our morals, ideas and even how to act. We are shaped not just by our own thoughts but also by how others view us.
In the movie, these words give Superman his meaning. So when it is suspected that there was more to the story and advice provided by his biological parents, Superman (understandably)does not take it well. His whole world is shifted and turned upside down and whatever he thought he knew or who he was ends up turning into a lie.
But while it bogs Superman down for a while, it acts as a catalyst for him to question what his beliefs, intentions and actions. It pushed him to find out who he was without the noise and words from his biological parents.
His relationship with his adoptive parents and conversation with his father help him in finding his own path despite what other might say. In fact, the beauty of the movie is the lack of correction from the characters. It doesn’t matter what is being said anymore but only what is being done.
Lois Lane as an Anchor
When we see his interaction with Lois Lane we see another side to their dynamic that I enjoyed. Many times Lois Lane is presented as the no nonsense reporter but never with Clark/Superman as the subject.
But the tables turn, when we see Clark allow himself to be interviewed by her in an act of trust. We see how both of their morals and integrity as journalists and heroes play out. Bringing across an interesting but much needed dynamic. When we want to better ourselves, we need to be challenged. I believe that the reason why Lois and Clark in this film are a believable couple is because of this challenge, and to see it play out in a trusting and vulnerable way gave insight into their dynamic. We know Lois trusts him but she also takes her role as a journalist seriously especially with the backdrop of the movie.
Unlike Lex Luthor who views Superman as a being to be controlled and destroyed because of his infallible power. Lois challenges Clark/Superman to defend his choices and in a way unearth any uncertainties regarding them. It pushes him to see that people may not see his actions in the same vein.
The Journalism Aspect
The fact that Superman and many of his peers are reporters adds an intriguing layer to the story. At its core, the role of a good reporter is to seek the truth and carefully examine sources. Clark initially believes he already knows the truth and trusts his own intentions, but when his world is turned upside down, he’s forced to reevaluate what he truly believes and uncover what’s really happening.
Similarly, Lois recognizes that the situation is far more complex than the media portrays it, and her trust in Clark/Superman drives her to dig deeper. In this way, journalism, and the shared commitment to truth, becomes a powerful force that connects them, pushing both to pursue their quests for understanding despite starting from different perspectives.
I Guess That’s The Real Punk Rock
I really enjoyed the movie and aimed to keep this spoiler-free, but I think beyond how the movie showed that Kindness can be a superpower these areas and themes stood out to me the most. I appreciated how the story wrapped up this dynamic in a way that stayed true to the characters and provided extra nuances and layers without compromising either.
ArrowsInk 