The movie directed by James Gunn titled “Superman” has been performing exceptionally well, both commercially and critically. It’s currently the top-earning DC film in years and boasts an impressive 83% score on Rotten Tomatoes. The audience’s response to the film has been overwhelmingly positive. However, the movie has faced some criticism, with critics noting the overly complex plot and excessive universe-building as its flaws. Some of these concerns have been echoed by fans, leading to discussions about how the film could have been improved. Suggestions for improvement range from trimming unnecessary characters or extending the runtime. The solution for enhancing “Superman” seems quite straightforward, according to many.
Although the film was well-received, the numerous plotlines might have worked better as a television series rather than a movie. By providing ample time to explore the universe and developing each character more thoroughly, transforming the film into a TV series could effectively address most of its issues.
Starting a Franchise Without an Origin is Superman’s Biggest Strength and Weakness
James Gunn strives to establish a fully-developed universe in the movie Superman, but the challenge of creating such a vast world seems to have overwhelmed him somewhat. The concept of launching a series set in a world where Superman is already an established figure offers a refreshing change from typical superhero movies, yet the film occasionally struggles to maintain consistency. Instead of delving deeply into significant details that help set the tone and atmosphere of the movie – such as Clark Kent’s tenure at the Daily Planet or the introduction of the Justice League – these elements are often glossed over. Despite hitting on key points within Superman’s lore, the film could have explored them more effectively to provide a more rewarding experience for viewers.
One standout feature of the movie Superman is the dynamic between Clark Kent (portrayed by David Corenswet) and Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan), which shines particularly in the interview and apartment scenes, thanks to their captivating on-screen chemistry. Regrettably, these two characters spend very little time together throughout the rest of the film, leading to a sense that their relationship drama takes a back seat. This results in the resolution of their conflict feeling somewhat unfulfilling. If Superman were a TV series instead, it would have provided more opportunities for these characters to interact extensively, thereby enhancing their ongoing conflict and making the storyline more engaging overall.
The movie features numerous superheroes, yet not all receive the same level of character development as they might have. Mr. Terrific gets a decent amount of screen time, but the Justice League is largely underused in the storyline. Hawkgirl, in particular, barely appears and her actions are limited to brief moments in just a few scenes. As a result, the Justice League contributes very little to the movie beyond confirming that there are superheroes other than Superman.
There are Too Many Stories Going On at Once
James Gunn skillfully combines various plotlines within a single movie, yet does so at a rapid pace. The movie handles diverse narratives and viewpoints, from detectives unraveling a mystery to aliens seeking their children, but these stories are only skimmed over on the surface. Although it’s impressive how Gunn constructed the film, a richer overall story could have been achieved by devoting more time to each plotline. Metamorpho’s tale, in particular, had potential for deeper emotional impact, but instead comes across as a shallow and straightforward side plot. A more in-depth exploration of each story would have made the viewing experience much more fulfilling.
Movies such as “Iron Man” served as standalone launches for a franchise, as they focused on telling a self-contained narrative without relying on prior connections. Director Jon Favreau aimed to ensure that the character was accurately portrayed before delving into anything else. Similarly, when working on his Superman film, James Gunn could have benefited from focusing solely on getting the character right initially instead of immediately building a new DC universe. The construction of this universe didn’t necessitate such an extensive level of world-building in the initial superhero film. If Gunn aimed to create an ambitious superhero production with interconnected storylines, a TV series or an extended, lengthy film may have been more suitable options for introducing the character.
Although Superman isn’t a poorly made film, many of its issues could have been easily addressed. The projects such as Peacemaker and Creature Commandos demonstrate that James Gunn has a knack for producing excellent television. Therefore, it’s perplexing why he chose to turn Superman into an overly expansive movie. It is hoped that in the future, Gunn will prioritize telling individual stories rather than focusing on expanding the universe, as his Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy demonstrates his ability to create fantastic films without overwhelming them with too much content.
Superman is currently playing in theaters.
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2025-08-10 20:29