Superman

The first major project from James Gunn’s DCU was Superman. This was Gunn’s first chance to show us what he will be doing with some extremely iconic characters. From the looks of the trailer he packed as many characters into his theatrical debut as possible. We get a lantern AND a Hawk, and most importantly we get Supergirl and Krypto. David Cornsweet was an incredible casting choice and I was very much looking forward to James Gunn’s take on the DC Universe and its leading man.

James Gunn is a genius in almost all aspects of film, but structurally this man has my attention immediately. Starting the movie with Superman after his ass was handed to him was such a great way to kick off the movie. And Krypto coming in and thinking they are playing because he’s never seen Superman hurt like this is such a wonderful detail.

Having the message from his parents playing to soothe him and the fact that he has it MEMORIZED. James Gunn knows how to punch you in the heart man.

Lex being the one behind the attack on Superman is so great, I love when we start right in the middle of the action. The people of Metropolis being the ones that help Superman is a perfect representation of what Superman is for. He stands for hope, he stands for the individual person. And this is such a perfect way of showing that.

Lois being on to Clark immediately also makes me so happy. This woman, since the beginning of time has been up Clark’s ass trying to prove that he is Superman and that energy is quite present. The fact that she knows is even better.

We are also jumping in the middle of Lois and Clark’s relationship, there is absolutely no origin story here and I love it so much.

The fact Clark is a huge goober is in fact accurate and I love it, and the interaction between him and Lois is tense and wonderful. Clark and Lois love each other, but Lois is a journalist and Superman feels very strongly about saving people that it leads to conflict in this interview and in their relationship.

Writing Lex as someone who hates Superman because he reflects all of Lex’s own inadequacies was truly brilliant and 100% correct.

The film so far, from plot to title sequence and cinematography feels very nostalgic. It is very reflective of the original series of films and even feels a little like Smallville. It does a great job of reminding us that although Superman is an alien who is larger than life, he is also just a small town boy.

AHHHH, Guy Gardner and my Hawk. My sweet wonderful Kendra. Words can not describe my joy right now. The Justice gang just trying to take the creature down, while Superman specifically attempts to keep the thing alive and get it away from people is so funny and completely accurate. Superman is saving a squirrel while Kendra is wacking this thing in the eye with her mace is also a perfect representation of the different styles of saving people that make the Justice League interesting.

Lex trying to convince the people of earth to turn on Superman and actually shattering Clark’s view of himself and of his parents is actually so well written.

Lex being a full on psycho and war criminal is also much appreciated, because we aren’t in an origin story. We needed Lex to be a full on villain, too many adaptations and recent takes attempt to make Lex sympathetic and I could not hate it more (not you Smallville, you're perfect).

Also having a whole hall of justice and it just being Kendra, Guy and Mr. Terrific is the funniest thing in the entire world. It's perfectly comic book camp and I love it.

James Gunn is the writer and director that Joss Whedon thinks he is.

Lois, with no powers barreling headfirst to save Superman is incredibly accurate and I can’t possibly praise James Gunn enough for how she is written.

James Gunn knew exactly when he was doing when he had David hold a baby and save a dog…

Taking him home to Ma and Pa Kent was such a sweet decision, I love this. I know I've said that about a billion times but this is just such a damn good movie. It's got a real golden age comic feeling about it and it's really such a wonderful combination of the best versions of Superman and it's really wonderful. James Gunn the DCU is safe with you and I trust you implicitly.

Also Lex thinking filling Superman’s lungs is gonna kill him…like buddy he can fly through space he doesn’t need oxygen, are you okay?

Nicholas is actually a great Lex, I have a hard time with anyone playing Lex that isn't Michael Rosenbaum because he is the best Lex Luthor and it's not even close, but Nicholas is doing a good job.

This whole final interaction between Superman and Lex is a perfect summary as to what exactly Snyder misunderstood about Superman, and Lex for that matter. The reason his movies sucked was because he didn’t have any understanding of the characters' motivations and what they represented. Lucky for us James Gunn does not have that problem.

I’m so excited for my solo Supergirl movie, Millie is perfect and I’m gonna go crazy waiting.

So this was not just a perfect Superman movie, it is a perfect Superhero movie. 10/10 as a superhero movie and honestly as a film. I can’t say enough good things, superhero films are never seriously considered for Oscars…but ones like this should be.