Our very own superhero Brandon Williams, the Torch Theatre’s Community Reviewer headed to the Torch cinema to see Superman over the weekend. The film has received mixed reviews globally. Read Brandon’s review below ...

There are few more iconic symbols in pop culture than the bold red ‘S’ on a yellow backdrop printed onto blue spandex. Since his comic book debut in 1938, Superman has become arguably the most famous superhero in the world. His powers are synonymous with the genre, his virtues exemplify doing good above all else - but where do they fit in today’s world?

Writer/director James Gunn is the latest filmmaker to take him to the big screen, having helmed Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy before being recruited by DC where he has produced The Suicide Squad and TV shows Peacemaker and Creature Commandos.

This iteration sees the Last Son of Krypton come up against storied nemesis Lex Luthor, who adopts a mega rich, Palantir-like role in order to bring him down and further the menacing interests of LutherCorp.

There are a number of ‘Gunnisms’ that help deliver a fresh take on the character, with action scenes set to songs, extraterrestrial life forms, and humour. Edi Gathegi and Nathan Fillion’s entertaining supporting performances help bring the latter out most of all. 

In the titular role, David Corenswet does a good job of blending the humble, good-natured humanity of Clark Kent with the otherworldly moralism of Kal-El. Something Henry Cavill struggled to achieve during his tenure, though Gunn’s writing enables a lighter touch, which is interesting given that this film also deals with heavier and more contentious geopolitical themes.

The challenge with any Superman project is how to make such a perfect and seemingly infallible character endure hardship. Gunn achieves this by examining how Superman’s moralism fits in an unjust world that allows people like Luthor, imperialist countries and militaristic corporations to thrive. Even other heroes roll their eyes at his desire to protect everything.

It is an enjoyable journey that thrusts you in at a crossroads in Superman’s life rather than being an origin story. This does mean that some of his relationships, like his and Lois Lane’s, could be fleshed out more and at times the story is rushed, but it is very much about the here and now.

There is also the small matter of the mightily impressive visual effects, with one of the best looking CGI dogs ever put to screen.

Superman is showing regularly on the Torch Theatre screen between Saturday 26 July and Wednesday 20 August. Click here to book your tickets.