Is it the best? Maaaybe? I think it may be a toss-up between the latest movie and the TV show Superman & Lois. But as far as Superman's political messaging goes, I think the 2025 film might actually be the most in sync with the wide-ranging breadth of the character's history. 8/8

And I think no one translated these values from the comic book page to the big screen better than James Gunn did. Do I have some qualms with his adaptation? Sure. But the more I think about it, the more convinced I am that 2025's Superman is the most faithful adaptation of the character. 7/8

In this landscape of corporation-approved film adaptations of superheroes upholding neoliberal values [cough-Disney-cough], it's Superman, the king daddy of all modern-day superheroes, who sends a clear message of progressive, antifascist values. 6/8

It's one of the things I've come to love more and more about the character over the years. He's the kind of guy who always fights for those who find themselves marginalized by the ones who hold power and influence. 5/8

In his review of the 2025 film, Ben Shapiro mentions that Superman always cared about private property. Yet in most versions of the character, Superman finds himself at odds with police and other members of the executive branch because he sees property as disposable when compared to human lives. 4/8

In both Action Comics (1938-present) issue 1 and Action Comics (2011-2016) issue 1, Superman fights corrupt slumlords/politicians/corrupt executives. who are exploiting land and real estate at the expense of people living in low-income housing. 3/8

When Lex looks at Earth, he sees resources to extract. When Clark looks at Earth, he sees people to love and creatures to care for. It also lies at the core of some of Superman's original conflicts in his earliest appearances, making it almost foundational to his character. 2/8

Also, we're over here watching Shiny Happy People season 2 when it happened, and all that Aquire the Fire footage is reminding me of Hillsong Conference, so of course my brain starts singing, "The earth will shake and tremble before him..." 😑

My partner and I said the same thing! We initially thought a China cabinet fell downstairs 😆

Rutherford, NJ, here, and I initially thought something exploded near my house.

Rutherford area here. Just felt that.

Not exactly. The set design is certainly evocative of the 60s, but it's more interested in the "Pan-Am" vibe that gives of a kind of "retro-futurism." It's more akin to "The Jetsons" than anything overtly hippie.

There's probably a larger conversation here about the corporate, committee-based filmmaking practices at Marvel Studios vs. what appears to be emerging from DC Studios as a more artist-based approach, but I'm not equipped to have that conversation. It's just something I find interesting.

This latest Fantastic Four feels less like a breath of fresh air and more like a momentary reprieve from the redundant, risk-averse "blockbusters" that have become the summertime cinema appointment for so many.

What's frustrating is that I've always loved comic books. When comic book movies as a subgenre were first being taken seriously, I was thrilled. But the corporate, cookie-cutter, formulaic drivel that somehow passed as movies really pushed me away from the genre.