My super short review of the new Superman (and Krypto) film

Blazing Reader,

So, I saw the latest Superman film...

I mainly went because my son and stepsons were keen on it. However, I admit that this trailer had me hooked.

It opens with Superman crashing into Arctic snow, bleeding. He whistles. On the horizon, his super-dog named Krypto (not to be confused with the blockchain breed) comes barrelling towards him like Moby Dick with a snow-plough. The little yapper then drags Superman back to his ice castle, where robotic butlers give him a super-duper sunbath.

How could I resist an opener like that?

Growing up, I was never much into comics. I did, however, see all four of the Christopher Reeve Superman films. Looking back at them, they were so corny and illogical, I can't believe a laugh track didn't kick in every time the latest villain appeared on screen. Admittedly, this new Superman film was a big improvement in the plot department.

The opening scene (with the dog in the snow) was probably the best part of the film, which the closing scene mirrored nicely, making everything in between more than worthwhile.

I had rather hoped for a film that delved a little deeper into Clark/Superman/Kal-El's character. This film had flickers of depth, but it was largely a fun romp with enough over-the-top battle scenes to make a demolition derby look subtle. That said, the fantastic acting and interactions between David Corenswet (Superman) and Rachel Brosnahan (Lois Lane) were full of emotion, conflict and nuances.

With me not being a fan of superhero films, I'll say it was a satisfying and enjoyable experience.

If you're a dog lover, however, then you probably don't want to miss super cute Krypto.

John C.A. Manley

PS As I wrote about yesterday, Henry David "Literary Snob" Thoreau would probably have turned up his nose at the new Superman film. Find out why in yesterday's post: "The Book of Snobs".

John C. A. Manley is the author of Much Ado About Corona, All The Humans Are Sleeping and other works of philosophical fiction that are "so completely engaging that you find yourself alternately laughing, gasping, hanging on for dear life." Get free samples of his stories by becoming a Blazing Pine Cone email subscriber.