Who's seeing Superman early?

[Dan2Dan]

Hi Dan, I taped three episodes of Peacemaker and have yet to watch them, hopefully it will surprise me. Really want to just hear them talk about: Bat-Mite! Hahaha!

As a teenager in the 1980s, my 2nd favorite comic book was "The Badger," a veteran of the Vietnam War who had multiple personality disorder as a result, and who was also a martial arts expert who could talk to animals, "like Dr. Doolittle." The character was so compelling to me because, at times, he was over-the-top nuts, and at other times was incredibly sympathetic and vulnerable because of his past. To me, James Gunn's Peacemaker is the modern-day equivalent of the Badger...

[ODBJBG]

I mean why does the dog wear a cape for that matter? Hell, why does Superman wear a cape? I mean, you could make a lot of arguments in a variety of ways but it's just a silly little comic thing. And frankly, I kind of find it funny that Superman just puts capes on everything. His robots, his dog, a potted plant in the corner. It's amusing.

I quite enjoyed the movie. I do wish there was a BIT more Superman. I appreciate they depowered him a bit, but I would have liked maybe 10-15 more minutes earlier to help set up his super heroics, but that's a minor complaint. All these superhero movies are like 3 and a half hours these days but it felt like this one should have been just a touch longer for that reason. I don't think he was able to develop as much as I'd like, but it wasn't completely absent.

The "twists" were unique enough and didn't make me groan or anything, but nothing entirely made me go crazy with excitement. It had some silly dumb moments, but that's true to the source material. I didn't think it went out of its way to do zany stuff just for the sake of it.

I'd still love a retro 1950s style Superman movie and maybe the success of FF will mean someone will do that eventually, but I generally trust James Gunn to do solid stuff.

[monitor_ep]

Why are we stuck on Superman Robots with capes. The original Superbots looked just like Sups.
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Then as time came the Superbots were helping around the world where Supes could be everywhere.
OIP (3) (24).jpg

Then in All Stars they looked more like Terminator
OIP (3) (27).jpg OIP (3) (29).jpg

They give Kal-El a since of being around Kryptonians.
OIP (3) (30).jpg

[Jmass]

We went to see it Monday. It was the most fun I've had at the movies since the first Guardians of the Galaxy. Even my wife, who tolerates my nerdom and goes with me to most comic book movies (mainly for the popcorn) leaned over about halfway through and said "This is a really good movie"!

[Frenchy99]

Watched to movie yesterday night with the wife, I enjoyed the movie very much. Nice new reboot with a short origin and lots of JL members involved for a new DCU.

My wife that does not follow my hobby but likes the Marvels ( up to phase 4) and the DC films, sz she prefers Henry in the role and liked the previous ones better ( She has no clue who Zack Snyder is ) . Said that the new Superman came across as a little stupid-dumb not only as Clark but as Superman as well.

I asked if she would see it again with me, No.

Taste is out there for every one, I will be seeing it again shortly.

[powersthatbe]

I saw it this afternoon. Gunn did a great job and was a fun theatre experience. I liked how it was bright and colorful. Forgot about sticking around though for the post credit scenes.9

[monitor_ep]

Superman will be available to buy or rent on digital HD platforms such as Amazon Prime Video (Bonus X-Ray Edition), iTunes, Vudu, and Google Play Movies & TV starting August 26, 2025.

So for those who missed the bonus footage it will be made available soon.

[ODBJBG]

Had record breaking Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. Not amazing numbers or anything, but the best numbers in a long time. Hopefully good WOM keeps this with another blockbuster weeked this weekend.

[monitor_ep]

From one of the VFX Supervisor on the set:
There were supposed to be several Yetis in the movie.

When Krypto was dragging Superman to the FOS they pass by several dead Abominable Snowmen and Superman tells Krypto "you've got to stop killing the Abominable Snowmen"

This explains the Yetis figures with pull apart limbs and bloody marks.
IMG_20250522_112508~2.jpg

[sprytel]

Probably for the best that they cut it. I don't love the idea that Krypto was killing and maiming yeti.

Maybe the Krypto part would have setup a scene in the FoS where Luthor's gang gets attacked by an angry yeti... but that also seem unnecessary. The movie worked just fine without it.

[B-Lister]

It's the best cinematic version of the character ever. Bar. None. Cavill was criminally underutilized, Routh was the victim of a garbage script. Reeve was fine for the time, but is now dated and corny, despite being iconic. I loved seeing them lean hard into silver age wackiness and have the effects technology to make it work. Previous films put Superman in OUR world. This was the first time I felt we were in HIS. Tons of amazing easter eggs, from the ads for Chocos, Big Belly Burger, Zesti Cola and Soder, to the oft-overlooked detail of Lois' Delaware License Plate (Metropolis is in Delaware. Gotham is in New Jersey).

I'm not the type to romanticize something just because it's old. The Reeve films are fine, but they're not great, and they're certainly dated. But they diverged from the source material, and they do drag on a bit. Again, not criticizing the films nor saying they're bad. But I am saying this is a better, more faithful adaptation, and there shouldn't be any reason to disagree with that so long as you don't misconstrue my opinion as an attack on your childhood. Because it certainly isn't an attack, any more than it is anything but my opinion.

[powersthatbe]

I wouldn't be surprised in Gunn's DC Superman universe seeing obscure 70s villians like Terra Man and Black Rock pop up(even for a second .).

[Dan2Dan]

It's the best cinematic version of the character ever. Bar. None. Cavill was criminally underutilized, Routh was the victim of a garbage script. Reeve was fine for the time, but is now dated and corny, despite being iconic. I loved seeing them lean hard into silver age wackiness and have the effects technology to make it work. Previous films put Superman in OUR world. This was the first time I felt we were in HIS. Tons of amazing easter eggs, from the ads for Chocos, Big Belly Burger, Zesti Cola and Soder, to the oft-overlooked detail of Lois' Delaware License Plate (Metropolis is in Delaware. Gotham is in New Jersey).

I'm not the type to romanticize something just because it's old. The Reeve films are fine, but they're not great, and they're certainly dated. But they diverged from the source material, and they do drag on a bit. Again, not criticizing the films nor saying they're bad. But I am saying this is a better, more faithful adaptation, and there shouldn't be any reason to disagree with that so long as you don't misconstrue my opinion as an attack on your childhood. Because it certainly isn't an attack, any more than it is anything but my opinion.

I hope your obvious, genuine enthusiasm translates at the box office. I have an 18-year-old daughter, and she has proven to be an amazingly accurate bellwether of box office success over the last 3-4 years. Most recently, she saw the Minecraft movie three times. Despite being very well aware of my lifelong love of comic books and superheroes, she has not said one word about this Superman film, which I don't think is a great portent for its box office fortunes, candidly. Obviously, the Silver Age callbacks will be totally lost on her generation.

I am very interested in seeing this film. Looks good to me. While I am not a fan of a lot of that Silver Age 'zaniness' (like the McFarlane figure with the lion head and Alfred E. Neuman alternative head), I have found something to like in (almost) every Superman film other than Superman III with Richard Pryor, which I thought was risible, even as a kid.

My slightly alternative take on Superman's filmography would be that: (1) Donner's 1978 Superman is one of the greatest genre films of all time and the best Superman movie ever made by a wide margin, which didn't deviate from the source material very much and took that material surprisingly seriously for its time - key to its success, both creatively and financially, (2) Superman II, which I thought was awesome as a 10 year old boy, is, on hindsight, clearly a flawed film with two directors, (3) Superman III with Richard Pryor evidenced all the worst instincts of the Salkinds and is notably very rarely shown on TV anymore, (4) Superman IV, which I saw in the cinema as a 17 year old boy with money from my own summer job, and yet I was the only person in the cinema when I watched it (still the only time that has ever happened in my 55 years of life), was also brutal, (5) the Brandon Routh/Bryan Singer/Kevin Spacey 'sequel' film seemingly had all the 'catalytic elements' to be a great success, but was, clearly, a disappointment, (6) Man, I thought the Snyder/Cavill "Man of Steel" was an awesome film, right from the beginning with the Soundgarden soundtrack, (6) Batman v Superman was a huge letdown, (7) the theatrical cut of Justice League was such a huge disappointment. I liked the Snyder cut considerably more, but that didn't suddenly transform the film from a C+ to an A; maybe to a B+?, and (8) as a Proud, but open minded and clear-eyed, American who has lived on three continents and worked on five, I think Superman's international association with "the American Way" will be a very substantial headwind to its international box office, regardless of the film's actual content....

[B-Lister]

I will concede that the first Donner film is close to the source material. And again, was fine for its time. Filmmaking has changed a lot since then. The movie is quite slow in parts, but it is expertly acted, and damn near flawlessly cast. When I refer to not liking the Reeve films, generally I mean the sequels. Though I still take issue with Superman selfishly reversing time. As for "silver age wackiness" I feel Gunn knows what he's doing, and won't overdo it. We're not gonna see a bunch of Kryptonite color changes, or silly powers. He seems to know where it crosses the line between fun and foolishness. You have to have some silliness but too much pulls the audience out of the spectacle.

One of the big criticisms of this film I'm seeing is how CROWDED it is. Yes it's an ensemble, but no role is wasted. Every character has something to DO, and it all contributes to the narrative.

You seem to be a fan of a good soundtrack, and I'll say this one has that. Beats of John Williams mixed with multiple other genres, including old school punk rock. It shouldn't work but somehow it does.

Many creators say Superman is hard to write for because he's so powerful, and has a pretty ridiculous Rogue's Gallery. The best Superman writers know that the best Superman stories put his humanity at the core, and write human stories on a Superhuman level. That's what we have here, and the good far outweighs the bad as a result.

I was burnt out on Superhero films. Marvel just feels like a shell of itself after Endgame, and DC just felt like it couldn't make a good film. (Exceptions being the first WW, Aquaman, and Blue Beetle, all of which suffered by association to worse films, as well as certain actors involvement). This truly feels like a breath of fresh air. Fun from start to finish.

[Dan2Dan]

Many creators say Superman is hard to write for because he's so powerful, and has a pretty ridiculous Rogue's Gallery. The best Superman writers know that the best Superman stories put his humanity at the core, and write human stories on a Superhuman level. That's what we have here, and the good far outweighs the bad as a result.

I was burnt out on Superhero films. Marvel just feels like a shell of itself after Endgame, and DC just felt like it couldn't make a good film. (Exceptions being the first WW, Aquaman, and Blue Beetle, all of which suffered by association to worse films, as well as certain actors involvement). This truly feels like a breath of fresh air. Fun from start to finish.

I just saw that, in its second weekend, the domestic box office for Superman is projected to drop only about 53%. I think that's good news for the film, and that the drop implies pretty good word-of-mouth and that audiences are liking Gunn's version.

While I haven't seen the film yet, the two widely discussed aspects of it that appeal to me most are, I think, very much in line with your views: (1) the generally brighter look/feel/tone of this film compared to the Snyder films, and (2) presenting an incrementally less powerful version of Superman.

I'm definitely one of those people who never bought Superman comic books because he was just too powerful. I felt like most Superman stories I'd ever encountered in any media repeatedly relied on kryptonite as a storytelling device to "turn him down to 2 from 11." (Even my beloved 1978 Superman film did this.) My personal all-time favorite version of Superman is in the 1940 Fleischer Superman cartoons precisely because of this aspect.

I also totally agree with, and will expand on, your additional point about burnout. I personally think that general audiences have definitely burned out on superhero films, in significant part because, exactly as you referenced, so many of them recently have been bad/critical failures. So I feel like new super hero films now face a 'branding headwind' right out of the gate.

Coincidentally, I recently watched the Blue Beetle movie when it premiered on TV. I enjoyed it and it was definitely better than I expected, even if the modern Jaime Reyes version of Blue Beetle isn't my childhood version of the character (from the superlative 1987 DeMatties/Giffen/Maguire "Justice League" comic book reboot). That said, my primary critique of that film was how badly miscast Susan Sarandon was as the evil, bloodthirsty, racist corporate industrialist. For as long as I can remember, she has been an outspoken activist in real life in direct opposition to all of those characteristics. So all I saw on screen was her longstanding public persona unsuccessfully chewing the scenery against type. I also think that particular fim faced two other headwinds: (1) no one outside of comic book fandom has ever heard of the Blue Beetle, and (2) that name is kind of lame, honestly. But man, that post-credit scene was awesome! Too bad the promise of that will go unfulfilled....