“Superman,” directed by James Gunn, came out this summer on July 11, marking a new beginning for the DC Universe. Gunn, as the director and the new co-CEO of the brand, made a reboot in the superhero universe with a new perspective and actor, presenting a different version of Superman to an audience who was familiar with a distinct portrayal of the iconic hero.
Starring David Corenswet as Clark Kent, or Superman, the new movie depicted a hero who is a symbol of hope but also a person who struggled to find his own identity.
In contrast with Zack Snyder’s “Man of Steel,” Gunn’s “Superman,” used vibrant colors, showing the world that being kind is the most important superpower. Growing up, I remember picturing the hero as someone compelling and inhuman, which he is, but in this reboot, I see him as more human than ever.
Gunn used his abilities as a director and screenwriter to depict how society had grown away from goodness, showing this contrast through the romantic relationship of Lois Lane and Clark Kent.
In the movie, we see Clark Kent, Superman, appeared as someone trusting and loving, too good to be true. Lois Lane, on the other hand, while being a woman who defended the truth and her values, struggled to see beauty in the world. By contrasting these characters, Gunn showed how unaccustomed people have become to kindness.
There is a scene in the film where the couple had a serious conversation after Kent discovered the truth about his biological family, and the camera showed them staring at each other. Lane compared both of their worldviews, saying that she “questions everything and everyone,” while he thinks “everyone is beautiful.” Kent responded, “Maybe that is the real punk rock.”
In the movie, the protagonist saved a dog and a squirrel from destruction and refused to harm the villain. Although the antagonist was wrong, Kent chose to be kind, even to people who hurt him. While destruction became normal in many other superhero movies, “Superman” brought back a hero who avoided it.
Ignoring complaints from fans who expected an invincible hero, someone who lifted buildings effortlessly and never faltered, the movie showed a powerful alien who might lose a battle but didn’t forget to take care of mankind. The hero got hurt and learned that his biological family was not who he thought it was, but not even for a moment did he lose faith in humanity.
Now, the young generation has a new role model of what being a superhero is like. In a world full of cruelty and lack of trust, Gunn used Superman as a way to depict that kindness is not outdated, but the true superpower society needs. The movie showed that people could become journalists, engineers, farmers or even aliens, but the only way to leave a mark on the world and make it a better place for future generations is by showing kindness.
