"Superman" Refreshes DC Universe with Unconventional Disasters and Internal Battles

Warning: This article reveals key plot details in the latest release of "Superman", now screening in cinemas.

In an exciting twist, “Superman”, the premiere feature film under DC Studios, injects fresh elements into the new DC Universe. Lex Luthor, played by Nicholas Hoult, engages in a calculated move to eliminate Superman (portrayed by David Corenswet), splitting the city of Metropolis into two. As the disaster unfolds, we witness not the usual panic but an orderly evacuation of the city’s inhabitants, indicating their adaptation to such extraordinary events.

Scenes reminiscent of real-world disasters have long been part of superhero films. However, the distinct aspect of the new “Superman” is the resilience showed by Metropolis citizens. The film's universe is one where meta-humans have existed for 300 years, and humanity has adapted to catastrophic events sparked by otherworldly powers.

Comic book adaptations traditionally emphasize devastation and trauma resulting from epic battles between superheroes and their adversaries. This “Superman” deviates from this trend, focusing more on the internal conflicts endured by its characters. Superman grapples with unsettling revelations about his birth parents, while Lois Lane, played by Rachel Brosnahan, struggles with commitment fears after Superman confesses his love.

Legendary struggles, such as Superman grappling with Lex Luthor's secret weapon, Ultraman, who is revealed to be Superman’s clone, receive a casual, whimsical treatment in this movie. The shift implies a significant transformation in the storytelling approach that DC has adopted of late, focusing on pop culture escapism rather than reverence towards superpowers.

The film concludes with Superman’s ally, Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi), restoring Metropolis, leaving the city with a literal split across its middle, symbolizing the city's endurance. The ending scenes underline this theme of fun and frivolity. There are no upcoming DCU projects hinted at, diverting from the past quarter-century of superhero filmmaking.

With this interpretation, director James Gunn seems to be signaling a change - superhero narratives need not be overly serious anymore.