Thank God Superman Feels Like Superman Again

Superman is so back.

Listen, I don't hate 'Man of Steel' - in fact, I'd even say I like that movie! I think it's pretty good for the most part! There's plenty of issues I have with it (and what followed), but Henry Cavill as Superman isn't really one of them. It's just moreso the tone Zack Snyder chose for the story/character and how it was written, which didn't come off as "Superman" to me. It came off as a cool, gritty, darker, 'Elseworlds' style take on Superman - which is always sweet in the comics, but not so sweet when that's our only Superman. 

I want our main Superman to feels like the cornball/grown-up boy scout I grew up watching in the animated series or reading in the comics, so that when we go dark it feels earned. Like, the kind of Superman you could take your kid to see that turns them into a lifelong fan. I wanted Superman with no "but's" (just let him be Superman) and in my lifetime we've never really gotten that! Even before Cavill we had Brandon Routh as Superman in 'Returns', who I liked, but that movie feels more like a tribute to Richard Donner's movies than the character itself - and he barely gets to throw a punch at all!

I'm relieved to say that James Gunn has answered our prayers, though, and not only made a Superman movie where Superman feels like Superman - he crafted a great story around that as well. Never has Lex Luthor or Lois Lane been done so well on the big screen, never has a Superman movie embodied the character and universe of Metropolis so well, and never has Superman been so interesting. He's flawed, he's vulnerable, he loses fights and bleeds - he's not perfect. He's not the unstoppable god that has made for such boring and repetitive stories throughout the years. But he's still the classic Superman you know and love. 

I keep getting asked if Barstool is being paid to promote this movie - which is ridiculous because it's fucking Superman (they don't need Barstool) - but no, the reason you're seeing so many people here praising it and posting about it is just because it rocked! It's the kind of movie that has you fist pumping in the theater and smiling ear-to-ear on the way out. It's bright, hopeful, and funny, there's some great action sequences, some truly heartfelt moments that had me tearing up - it was just awesome. There's some very fair criticisms as well, it wasn't flawless - but nothing that should truly detract from your enjoyment too much.

Overall, it was a GREAT start that the DCU so desperately needed, and I'm already itching for more. Check out our full spoiler-filled review on My Mom's Basement this week....