Superman
Rating #
9/10
Worth seeing, even if superhero flicks aren't your cup of tea
Spoiler Free Review #
This might just be the most "faithful" adaptation of the character we've seen yet. The problem with most adaptations is that they forget what Superman's greatest power is.
Gunn's take doesn't forget this simple fact and gives us what just might be the best adaptation of the character ever.
Spoiler Review #
I need to see the film again because I'm sure I missed things.
The only complaint I have right now before further rumination is that I'm annoyed with the change to Jor-El and Lara. Given Supergirl spent time on Krypton as a child (barring changes to Kara's backstory), she would probably be able to confirm whether they were space fascists or not.
I have heard this is referenced in Supergirl, but I have not yet seen it. So, "spoilers!".
Tier List of Supes #
| Tier | Superman Actors |
|---|---|
| S | 
|
| A | 
|
| B | 
|
| C | 
|
| D | 
|
| F | 
|
| DNQ | 
|
Justifications #
David Corenswet #
See above
Christopher Reeve #
The gold standard by which all interpretations will be measured.
The second two movies weren't his fault..
Tyler Hoechlin #
A fantastic take on the character. His cameos in Supergirl were great and Superman & Lois was nothing to sneeze at. I was pleased when the show distanced itself from the Arrowverse and could breathe on its own.
I was hoping he'd take the mantle in the new movie, and was sad when he didn't.
Henry Cavill #
A fantastic Superman/Kal-El, but his Clark Kent left something to be desired. The darkness of the DCEU is just so antithetical to Superman that it dragged the performance down just enough to keep him out of the top tier.
Tom Welling #
My personal favorite take on Clark Kent. He would be so much higher if was able to actually portray Superman. The CW script did him no favors, but no one has ever expected a CW show to be a masterpiece.
Kirk Alyn #
The first live actor for Supes. He set the stage, given the limited source material and ability for special effects, he did a mighty fine job of it too.
George Reeves #
The first TV show helped cement Superman as a national icon. Reeves did an admirable job at the role and I would have loved to see his take on the character with more modern special effects.
Brandon Routh #
The movie would have been better served by non being a direct sequel to Superman II. Routh did a solid job of filling out the boots that Reeve left him. Nothing spectacular, but solid. You can tell he was held back a bit because his take on The Atom in The Legends of Tomorrow was great. When he reprised the role in the adaptation of Crisis, he did so much better too!
Dean Cain #
Let's be honest, there's a reason that Terri Hatcher got top billing in the title. Cain didn't do half-bad though. This is the first instance where the absolute lack of attention to the source material starts being really noticeable. I understand that the show was limited by budget, which is why I'm glad it focused as much as it did non-Supes side of things.
Gerard Christopher #
- Raise your hand if you've seen Superboy.
- Keep it raised if you made it past the first season.
- Why are you lying?
Well, it gets better! I wouldn't say it's good though. Like most of the shows before Arrowverse, comic accuracy was an afterthought.
I grew up with Superboy being Connor Kent and it feels weird to have him be anything else. Yes, I know post Crisis that things made a bit more sense than the Golden and Silver Ages, but the OG runs of Superboy just break all continuity and make me feel weird.
John Haynes Newton #
I get that comic accuracy wasn't a focus point of the show and that he's based on the pre-Crisis character, but man, the first season didn't even give the impression they were trying.
Nichols Cage #
He melts the brain of a seemingly evil spider, so yay? It was a fun cameo and given his acting, I would have loved to see the canceled film. However, a <30 second clip doesn't give enough to go off of.