Oh wait. And the most important theme:

Anyone who hurts animals is a bad guy.

The most important lesson.

But on top of all this, it nails the setting, nails the characters, even nails the LIGHTING (losing the gray filter from the Henry Cavill films does wonders).

It’s wonderfully acted, well paced, and reminds us that we can all strive to try and do good, even if we’re just Jimmy Olsen.

10/10

And for the most part, those themes are subtle. It trusts the audience to understand them without hitting you over the head.

Is it “woke?” Only in the same way that Superman has always been.

But no more than the Lois and Clark show that I grew up watching (I mention that intentionally)

(9/?)

Amid all of this, there are subtle themes — the importance of honest journalism, that sometimes, there isn’t a clear cut best answer to a situation, and most importantly: that we all have a responsibility to try and do what’s right, even if it’s just to piss off Green Lantern.

8/?)

In a world of Batmans, Punishers, The Boys, even Invincible (which I also love), it’s such a breath of fresh air to see a superhero actually be the voice of optimism they’re supposed to be.

To quote Clark in the movie, “Maybe that’s the real punk rock.”

(7/?)

This is a Superman who’s hopeful, who’s a himbo, who’s probably not actually reckoned with his privilege, but who is, at the end of the day, still trying his best to make the world a better place.

And it’s a lesson for all of us.

(6/?)

And speaking of hell, in a movie that has WAY more cursing than you’d expect in a Superman movie (#supershit), it’s noticeable how much he says things like “golly” and “gosh darn.”

He sounds like the himbo Kansas farm boy that he is.

(5/?)

Superman being not just good, but better than you or I could ever be in his situation is exactly what makes him super.

He’s the only superhero in the movie who doesn’t kill.

Hell, he goes out of his way to save a SQUIRREL.

(4/?)

To paraphrase @overlysarcastic.bsky.social, making Superman actually evil, or gritty, or not a paragon isn’t a subversion of the character, because fiction and mythology are FILLED with god-like beings who are assholes. (3/?)

Only tiny spoilers to follow (2/?)

This post inspired by the half hour of cardio I’m currently doing (and still hating)

Twenty Sided Tavern without context 😂 with @jackthewhipper.bsky.social

I used the other account back when I was a journalist, but I’ve never been a huge fan of sharing my opinions. Partially because I wasn’t allowed to for so many years (see: journalist), and partially because there are already enough mediocre white men sharing half-baked opinions on these apps.