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David Corenswet as the titular Kryptonian in James Gunn's Superman. Screenshot by Aaron Pruner/CNET
There's a small, somewhat throwaway line spoken halfway into Superman by Rachel Brosnahan's whip-smart Lois Lane to David Corenswet's titular Kryptonian that is the key to what's really going on in DC's highly anticipated blockbuster. I'd go so far as to say this moment underlines the real meaning of the entire movie.
This Superman -- James Gunn's Superman -- is the first feature film released by the newly rebranded DC Studios, which Gunn runs alongside producing partner Peter Safran. Corenswet leads the charge, donning the iconic cape and briefs in a refreshingly joyful way, alongside the witty, brilliant Brosnahan.
Spoiler alert: There's no way around it; there will be some Superman spoilers below. I'll do my best to keep them to a minimum. But if you want to avoid this type of information, please turn back now.
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David Corenswet as the titular Kryptonian hero in James Gunn's Superman. Warner Bros.
Instead of retreading narrative subject matter audiences have become bored with (no baby Kal-El in a spaceship crashing to Earth here), Gunn's take on the character's story drops the audience into an already built world.
Superman and Lois are already dating. The corporate-minded Justice Gang -- Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion), Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced) and Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi) -- play second-fiddle crime fighters to the Man of Steel. It's an accepted reality that monsters may ravage the streets at any time, and a scrappy dog with superpowers can help save the day.
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