While I have shedded or outgrown most of my old fantasies of ever becoming a super hero as a child, I have never lost that spark to run to the theater when I sense a good comic book movie is about to be released. I grew up a Marvel kid. I was an X-men fanatic, GI Joe and Fantastic Four fan but my favorite comic book movie was Superman. To me Christopher Reeve was born to play him. I wasn’t too keen on the sequels they were terrible but the numero uno was amazing for a 7 year old.

I watched Superman Returns with one eye opened it didn’t fit me and I’m not sure if I ever sat down and watched it in its entirety.

I’m a Henry Cavill fan. I enjoyed him as Superman. He was a good fit but the characters that surrounded him not so much. Sorry Ben you don’t make a good Batman. I also don’t believe Wonder Woman should be 110 lbs. Flash shit the PR bed and Steppenwolf should’ve stayed as a band and nothing else. It bothered me how the justice league couldn’t do anything until they resurrected Superman. Also I counted around 400,000 fatalities in the Superman movies but hey maybe he got that cat out of the tree for grandma.

There will never be another Christopher Reeves. When I picture the Superman from my youth it will always be him.

Henry Cavill is great too.

But

David Corenswet wears the crown now.

I’ve never heard of the kid. I checked out his acting resume and came up blank granted I don’t watch movies like I used to. Christopher Reeve made it possible to believe that Superman could be almost human. David Corenswet made him human. Superman could’ve been your college roommate growing up or that guy you always seem to run into at the grocery store enough to give them a “hey what’s up!” smile and go about your day. Unassuming, flawed but you’re biting your nails to see him let it go when he has to. They took some of the old Christopher Reeve mystique, added some Brendan Frazier’s The Mummy bravado in his prime with a little facial recognition of Elijah Wood.

It hit. The ball landed outside of the park.

Character development?

The “Justice Gang“ were my favorite part. Mr. Terrific was well.. terrific. His cool persona while delivering some of the best one liners in the movie stole the show.

Guy Gardner matched his bowl cut hairdo and thank god we finally got a Green Latern that didn’t shit the bed. You wanted to hate him and he tried his damn best to help but he was probably my favorite.

Hawkgirl nailed it and I wish I’d seen more of her in the movie.

Lois was finally used as a power character and not the predictable damsel in distress I’m sure I speak for most of us when I say that schtick gets old over time.

Jimmy Olsen was as he should be. In fact it seemed like they plucked him out of the old 50s comics and inserted him in. If I saw this guy walking around Greenville I’d think “Gotdamn he looks like Jimmy Olsen from Superman comics.” His character fits into the show like a well worn pair of jeans. He’s not just a side character.

Steve Lombard (the sports columnist) inserted for comic relief and faked machoism was a great addition for short breaks in between action scenes.

Lex Luther I’ve always considered a boring villain in the comics and movies. I’m a Gene Hackman fan but his Lex made me yawn. Kevin Spacey is cringy And Jesse Eisenburg? Oof

Nicholas Hoult on the other hand nailed it. How well? I wanted to drive to his house after the movie and kick his ass. Hell I’d go after his parents too. I haven’t hated a villain that much since I was introduced to Joffrey from GOT. Halfway through the movie I almost stood up and yelled “will someone beat that fucker’s ass before I have to??”

The dog Krypto. Listen, I hate movies with dogs as characters. I don’t need that component in any movie.

But

This one worked out well. They somehow made a mutt with super powers believable. And very likable. When I first saw the previews I winced when I saw the dog. I take it back now.

Shout out to James Gunn for making a blockbuster film in two hours. Can we make this the standard? I never looked at my watch one time during the movie.

The action scenes were amazing. The CGI state of the art.

The humor was on point and didn’t take away from the drama or saturate the turmoil. *looking at you last Thor movie. I laughed in between gritting my teeth.

The small cameo of Supergirl even looks like a fun tie in and I’ve never liked Supergirl.

This movie did its job. It finally tuned me into the DC universe. Marvel you might want to step it up. The seesaw is not in your favor right now.

Scale of 1-10 I give it a solid 10 for a comic book movie. Last one I ranked that high was Endgame.

If you get bored on a hot afternoon go check it out. You can’t beat the theatre experience. Camelot is always my go to. It’s family owned. (I think)

Cheers.