Superman: A 'Poppy Reboot' or an 'Overstuffed' Marvel?
Superman Soars, But James Gunn's Comments Spark Fury
The wait is over for fans of the iconic Man of Steel, as Warner Bros.' Superman finally hits theaters, and the verdict is in: it's a game-changer! But don't get too excited just yet, folks, because director James Gunn has been sparking controversy with his comments about the film.
Gunn, who took over as head of DC alongside Peter Safran, has been under fire for saying that Superman is "the story of America... an immigrant that came from other places and populated the country." Yeah, it's safe to say that didn't go over well with everyone. Fox News' Greg Gutfeld accused Gunn of operating with a "woke shield," while Kellyanne Conway, former counselor to President Donald Trump, claimed he missed the point of moviegoing altogether.
So, what's all the fuss about? Is Superman still the hero we love, or has it gone woke?
A Fresh Take on the Classic
For starters, let's get this out of the way: David Corenswet takes over as the titular character, and he brings a certain charm to the role. Rachel Brosnahan shines as Lois Lane, his Daily Planet colleague and girlfriend. And Nicholas Hoult gives us a deliciously over-the-top performance as Lex Luthor.
But what about the film itself? Well, it's been praised by many critics for its lighthearted tone, pacy pacing, and winning trio of leads. The Hollywood Reporter's David Rooney called it "exuberant and poppy," while Variety's Owen Gleiberman described it as a "reset not just one studio’s fortunes but the very idea of what a comic-book movie is."
Not Without Its Flaws
Of course, not everyone has been singing Superman's praises. The Toronto Star's Peter Howell called it "all over the place," geographically and narratively. IndieWire's Dave Ehrlich admitted that while Corenswet and Brosnahan are great in their roles, the film "overcorrects for the Zack Snyder era" and struggles to find its footing.
The Verdict
So, what's the takeaway? Is Superman a must-see or a miss? We think it's worth checking out, even if it's not perfect. The New York Times' Alissa Wilkinson referred to herself as a "superhero-weary critic," but even she couldn't help but be won over by the film's sincerity and goofiness.
The Box Office
As for the box office, analysts are predicting an opening weekend between $130 million and $170 million. But Gunn has been quick to debunk rumors that the film needs to crack $700 million to be a success. "This is not the riskiest endeavor in the world," he told GQ. "Is there something riding on it? Yeah, but it's not as big as people make it out to be."
The Budget
So, what about the budget? A whopping $225 million, according to reports. But don't worry, folks; Gunn has reassured us that it's not all about the Benjamins. "It doesn't need to be as big of a situation as people are saying," he said.
The Scholarly Note
In conclusion, Superman is a film worth checking out, even if it's not without its flaws. And let's be real – who can resist a good superhero movie? But what do you think, readers? Are you Team Gunn or Team Gutfeld? Share your thoughts with us!