5 reasons why we loved Superman beyond his heroics and charm!

While David Corenswet has successfully convinced people to love his Superman, multiple other things made the movie a truly entertaining watch.

The world lately feels kinder, filled with hope and a renewed enthusiasm for life. This isn’t because every other threat looming over us has disappeared, but because we decided to go to the theater and enjoy two hours of pure cinema after a long time. Like many, we agree that James Gunn’s Superman has achieved what many have tried and failed to do - bring hope through a film about the most celebrated superhero of every generation. Watching the ‘Big Blue’ soar through the sky in his cape and red trunks isn’t something we haven’t seen before, but it's exactly what we missed. We know people were on edge and ready to criticize the movie, especially after seeing one of our favorite versions of the hero put his cape away. Yet, surprisingly, it was incredibly wholesome. The vivid colors, the sense of childlike happiness, and the charm of a character that never goes out of style made it a truly memorable movie experience.

We can go on and on about how we came to love the character again, but there were other aspects in the movie whose combined magic made this movie a success.

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Here's why I feel how I feel!

Being kind is the new punk rock!

Everyone who left the theater felt a sense of hope. Being hopeful and optimistic is no longer seen as boring or bland; it's now considered punk rock. Superman's choice to show kindness toward humanity and actively work to save and protect people, rather than getting bogged down by politics, was the bright ray of light we needed after the past few superhero movies focused on the darker themes. He is known as a hopeful superhero who believes in humanity and all that makes us human. While previous portrayals of Superman have touched on these themes, they were not always effectively communicated. However, James Gunn successfully captured this essence and made kindness seem cool.

Saves people, even a squirrel

As an extension to his kindness, we see him headfirst running to save people before turning towards the threat. While it is the most cliché it can get with superhero films, watching them save people has to be the most wholesome part of these films. And when Superman chooses it to be his first instinct, especially after we saw Henry's Superman standing helpless in a court full of people that blew up, it was refreshing to see David's Superman making efforts to save every living being, including a little squirrel. 

Superman's friends

While we saw Clark Kent enjoy being around reporters as a fellow human, he was equally close and friendly with his non-human friends as Superman back at the Fortress of Solitude. His awkward yet dutiful interactions with the Kryptonian Service Robots are what made the movie even more enjoyable. It's remarkable how, despite lacking emotions, these robots managed to tug at our heartstrings, leaving us mourning the loss of 4, or should we say, Gary. Another standout aspect of the film was Krypto, the loyal and energetic pet who brought laughter with his antics and gave us goosebumps with his heroic moments. The fact that Krypto has caused a 5% spike in dog adoption rate in the US talks to the impact this little goofball has had on us.

A nod to real-life issues

The world seems to agree on how the movie effectively highlights real-world problems. For instance, when Lex Luthor accuses Superman of "grooming" the citizens of Metropolis and expresses his desire to be the "king," it feels like the film is calling out real-world leaders and tech billionaires for their questionable policies. Another aspect that resonated with the audience was the portrayal of trolls and blatantly calling them out as Monkeybots. As a generation that is deeply involved with social media, conversations about the existence of bots is one that often stir a debate. People have accused the existence of Bots, especially when hashtags are used to defame an individual, spreading like wildfire. James takes a nod at this by showing us Superman becoming visibly frustrated with the hashtag #SuperShit, while also serving as a commentary on his personal experience of witnessing trolls criticizing the film long before it was released.

Women using their oppression to their advantage

It’s widely acknowledged that women in superhero narratives, while often portrayed as independent and strong, are frequently depicted in ways that cater to the male gaze. Directors often claim to showcase empowered women, yet this portrayal often aligns with stereotypical societal expectations regarding their appearance. In this movie, James skillfully addresses this issue by allowing women to harness their sexuality as a means to save the world.

Lois, dressed in her boots and pants, demonstrates to Clark what it means to be an ethical journalist by asking him tough questions that he might otherwise avoid. Hawk Girl confronts the dictator of Boravia, who underestimates her power, revealing how the society not only associates compassion with a gender but also as a weakness others can exploit. Meanwhile, Eve exemplifies how blondes are often underestimated; her character challenges the notion that they are merely ornamental, proving they are capable of much more. This film effectively highlights the complexity and potential of female characters, moving beyond traditional stereotypes.

What things from the movie caught your eye? Tell us in the comments below!

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