Kevin Kettler

I'm not the biggest fan of the Snyderverse, but this isn’t the way to fix any perceived deficiencies. Plain and simple: if you think a good Superman film should have a dog with a cape, this is the movie for you. If not, move along. The rest of the film follows this same line of thinking. In my view, Krypto just doesn’t translate to film for most people over the age of 15. This is the film in a nutshell: a collection of attempts to directly translate a comic book to screen, going all out on effort but falling well short on delivery. The movie is unapologetic in its cornball approach, sophomoric humor, and unabashed pandering to sentimentality and the emotional manipulation of comic fans—a bunch of easy wins. That being said, the movie is entertaining enough that I wouldn’t have walked out. But the reality is it lacks nearly everything that makes great films: storytelling, plot, cast, dialogue, themes, acting, and above all, directing. The plot holes exceed what anyone would expect even from a comic book movie. Care, effort, and craftsmanship are utterly lacking. Characters: Clark’s parents are portrayed as total hillbillies, and for some reason James Gunn seems to think Kansas is not part of the Midwest but southern Alabama. Superman’s greatest trait is no longer compassion, but simply “being human.” Sure. Lois Lane is pushed aside for Jimmy Olsen, who is suddenly the Planet’s best writer. Plot and storytelling: calls for suspension of disbelief are far too numerous. The audience is told repeatedly to just accept things, no matter how ridiculous the premise or improbable the scenario. Gunn did Superman’s parents dirty in the worst way possible and has said he won’t undo it. It’s lazy writing, and there are a thousand ways to achieve the same effect with better craft. This movie fails on almost every level compared to any other Superman film. The worst part may still be to come: are we to expect that future Superman movies will follow the same campy, weak-plot, cheap-laughs formula? And will that spill over into the rest of the DCU? I’m afraid the future of the DCU is a string of super-campy Suicide Squad imitations.