HOW SUPERMAN NEARLY BROKE MY LOVE FOR FILM!!

When you love something deeply, such as films, and you build up genuine anticipation for an experience that’s supposed to reflect that love, a letdown can hit surprisingly hard. It's not just disappointment in the movie itself, it is a disappointment in your connection to movies, which can feel much more personal.

This became very apparent to me when it came to the recent release of James Gunn’s Superman — a reboot of an iconic comic book character, helmed by a director known for bringing a unique blend of heart and fun to the big screen. Having enjoyed Gunn’s work for the Guardians Of The Galaxy trilogy, as well as 2021’s The Suicide Squad, I went in, hoping for inspiration, catharsis, even that spark of magic that would remind me why I love cinema and Superhero films in particular. And instead, I got something that whilst being very well-made… ultimately felt emotionally empty for me. That mismatch between quality and resonance was disorienting — like something should have worked, but didn’t.

What I am trying to tap into here, revolves around a deep emotional expectation that I am sure lots of us bring into films, especially ones tied to characters we’ve grown up with or admired for years. That is nothing against the casting, which, for the most part, was absolutely sublime. The core of this comes from the lack of an introductory narrative in this supposed first part story. I wasn’t expecting a complete retelling of Superman’s origin story, nor would I have wanted one. We’ve seen that on the big screen before… twice… Instead, I was simply looking for emotional grounding, a sense of arrival that lets you meet these new versions of the characters in a meaningful way. It’s not about exposition — it’s about connection. Something I felt this film sorely lacked.

It felt very much like I had been dropped into a story which felt more like a part two of a trilogy, rather than a part one. Being dropped into what feels like the middle chapter can be jarring, especially when I was eager to feel something — that spark of "this is my Superman now." But instead of that, I got a film that assumed I was already on board with this world and these interpretations, without earning that buy-in. Another way to look at it, is feeling like you missed a first date and showed up halfway through a long-term relationship. The introduction of other DC superheroes alongside Superman didn’t help to this affect, as they came completely out of the blue, and the film again assumed I had already met these iterations of the characters, and was, once again, on board with them. Yet I honestly didn’t care much for them, and found one in particular rather obnoxious and annoying. While that was clearly the intent, they should’ve only been annoying to the other characters, not the audience!

Having such a strong reaction to a film such as this is no small failure. It cuts into the magic of a reboot — the sense that you’re being reintroduced to something familiar in a way that still feels fresh. Without that, it feels like the emotional lift never happens, no matter how polished or well-made the rest of the movie is.

This made the aftermath of the film very hard for me. I began to feel disinterested with films as a whole, as if I no longer had that passion for the art form, despite knowing deep down that I still cared. What I was doing was actually mourning a specific missed opportunity. In the span of two hours, my love for cinema took a major hit, because I was vulnerable to this story.

Again, it must not be understated how well this film was put together. Our leading cast was EXCELLENT choices, and the film has been beautifully shot for the most part, with some sublime visual effects work. If this had been the middle of a trilogy, and there had been a first part that provided more emotional grounding, I can see this being the best Superman film in a long time! And it’s clear my thoughts are the minority if public reaction is anything to go by so far.

So overall, while I personally don’t want to rewatch this film, and currently have no appetite for more from this series, I do highly encourage you to go out, see the film and decide for yourself if this works as a beginning chapter. I really wanted this to be the highlight for the year. But alas, that lacking connection not only made this a disappointing viewing experience for me, but also, very nearly, ruined my love for an art form that is so close to my heart.