Tag Archives: action movies

Put Your Cape On, It’s Up to Us to Save the World

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By Norman S.

In a powerful scene from James Gunn’s Superman, two children in the war-scarred country of Jarhanpur drive a flagpole into the ground. This daring statement inspires Jarhanpur’s weary citizens to chant “Superman!” repeatedly, just moments before the Boravian nation leads yet another siege against them. We’ve seen this storyline before—and not necessarily just in film.

Although James Gunn is known for directing films without much of a strong political agenda, his 2025 movie Superman is blunt about its stance. It’s also surprisingly quite subversive by paralleling real-world conflicts. By having such an iconic character like Superman stand strongly for something, Gunn makes it clear how crucial it is for audiences to stand up for justice in their own communities.

Gunn emphasizes the film’s political focus most strongly through its main characters, including Superman and his arch-nemesis, Lex Luthor. Luthor, a billionaire, spends most of the film trying to eliminate Superman and annex Boravia. Then he would receive half of the Jarhanpurian land that Boravia colonized, which would supply him with all the labor—and money—he needs. This storyline overtly parallels the way that President Donald Trump has grotesquely described Gaza as “incredible real estate” and “oceanfront property” that he would like to own. By having Luthor mirror Trump, Gunn relays that corrupt politicians are among us, and that we have the power to dethrone them, for we are not in a film. 

In order to occupy Jarhanpur, Luthor obtained Kryptonite, Superman’s weakness, to leave him weak and unable to save humanity. When an injured Superman watches the children raise the aforementioned flag on TV,  the song “Raising the Flag” by John Murphy begins to play. The children shout Superman’s name, followed by other civilians, as the camera focuses back on the waving flag. This scene made me hold my breath as I watched their helpless outcry. The screenplay, potent music, and visible human emotion came together eloquently to present a scene of devastation as something that could not be ignored.

For Gunn to have this conflict portrayed via the characters’ televisions while they watch is a bold move. For we, too, are watching similar events occur in places such as Ukraine and Palestine. The children who reside in these war-torn countries with hopes and dreams do not have a Superman. Gunn warns the audience that they must stand up for what is right and cultivate change—in other words, they must also strive to be superheroes.

Gunn’s political focus is ultimately working. Conservatives are fuming over his film, hurling terms like  “woke” and “culture war.” Nonetheless, Gunn’s decision to make these choices in such a visible way, despite anticipating censure and controversy, is not only bold. It also goes to show that silence is not an option—not even for a high-profile Hollywood director. 

Superman Didn’t Dress to Impress: Costume Misses the Mark in DC’s New Take

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By Claire B.

When DC released the first official image of David Corenswet in costume as Superman, it immediately made headlines. The reaction? Mixed. The general consensus: he looks tired. Not “the-world-depends-on-me” tired—just sleep-deprived. And while the grim facial expression might reflect the tone of the upcoming film, the real problem lies in something else: the suit.

The outfit consists of textured spandex, muted colors, and a stretch waistband. Not only does it fail to stand out—it doesn’t feel like Superman. His original red, blue, and yellow suit was iconic: bright, bold, and unmistakable. Over the years, fans have praised the clean color scheme and cape. The classic version didn’t need exaggerated textures or overdone designs to prove its point. It simply worked.

This new version, though? It looks like it belongs in a Zack Snyder movie.

Director James Gunn has promised a different take, but based on this first image, it seems like DC is still leaning into the gritty realism it’s been known for in the past decade. It’s not something the franchise needs. After all, costume design plays a huge role in shaping how audiences view characters.

Compare this look to other superheroes: Iron Man’s costume makes him look modern, high-tech, and powerful. Batman’s sleek suit enhances his image as a stealthy, strategic fighter. Captain America’s red, white, and blue gear reflects patriotism and leadership. But Superman’s new look? It just feels… tired.

Costume design is more than aesthetics—it sends a message. A character’s clothing can signal their values, origin, and even their emotional state. With a character as iconic as Superman, it’s crucial to get it right.

Maybe the full film will offer more context. Maybe the outfit will make sense on screen. But for now, Superman’s new suit doesn’t elevate the character—it deflates him.

More Human Than Hero: How James Gunn’s “Superman” Brings Back Hope

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By Jada Lee T.C

A thundering boom resounds throughout the city. Cars fly by and people scramble as the explosions intensify. You’re seconds away from being crushed by a massive, green, goblin-like creature. Then you notice a nearby squirrel munching on an acorn—utterly unfazed, not a single thought behind its eyes.

Who would you save: yourself or the squirrel?

If you’re Henry Cavill—who portrayed Superman in the past—you’d wait for the perfect explosion before blasting off into the sky, letting the city, and the squirrel, fall into ruin. But if you’re David Corenswet, who plays Superman in James Gunn’s new film, Superman, every little thing matters. So, you save the squirrel.

Corenswet is a different kind of Superman. He’s more empathetic than past portrayals. It’s a reminder of Superman’s original purpose: his parents sent him to Earth from Krypton with one goal—do good. While Cavill gave a strong performance in 2013’s Man of Steel, his Superman was wrapped in hypermasculinity and often strayed from that foundational ideal. Corenswet, under Gunn’s direction, brings it back. He humanizes the character.

In this film, Gunn also reimagines what a superhero fight can be. Instead of jumping straight into a generic action scene, he slows it down. He doesn’t cut to Clark Kent already suited up—he shows him lacing up his boots. It’s a small but powerful moment that reminds us: Superman is someone who lives like we do. He works a 9-to-5 job at The Daily Planet. He has a routine. And that makes him feel more (super) human than ever.

Gunn’s decision to highlight Superman’s feelings creates space for viewers to connect emotionally. The soundtrack, composed by David Fleming and John Murphy, plays a big role in this. The orchestral melodies—especially the way the trumpets swell—evoke a sense of comfort and hope.

That feeling crescendos in a memorable scene: When the fictional city of Jarhanpur is minutes away from being invaded by the Boravian army, a child stands his ground. He raises a flag bearing the iconic red “S,” gripping the pole tightly and chanting, “Superman! Superman! Superman!”

The technicolor universe of a movie theater is the perfect place to feel the emotions in that scene. As the film’s bright colors illuminate the dark room, they also illuminate your own memories—what it felt like to be a kid, wide-eyed and hopeful.

As we grow older, it gets harder to hold onto that feeling. It becomes easier to surrender to alienation, and Superman understands that.

Of course, it’s not easy. Not everyone has a billionaire trying to destroy them with high-tech weapons. But like us, Superman endures. He dedicates himself to becoming a better human, even though he’s not one. And at some point, we’ve all felt like aliens—different, out of place. What matters is how you choose to own who you are.

James Gunn’s Superman reintroduces the hero’s true purpose: a beacon of hope. In an overcomplicated world, he reminds us that surviving—and staying kind—is our greatest strength.

The Movie was Super, Man!

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By Rida M.

I never believed in superheroes. Sure, I saw them in advertisements, but to me, they were just regular heroes, conquering identical monsters in different costumes. There was nothing super about them—besides the fact that their costumes were super ugly.

But James Gunn, the writer and director of Superman, changed my mind.

Despite having no popcorn or blanket, Gunn cleverly instilled a sense of optimism in his film, using surprising elements like antiwar messaging and positive masculinity. It sank me into my seat and pulled me into the world of the DC Universe. By touching on real, sensitive topics, Gunn made this superhero story something genuinely super.

The film opens with Clark Kent (David Corenswet), and I was immediately captivated by his insane face card. Working at the Daily Planet, a media company, Kent juggles a full-time job with being a superhero. This double life adds humor and depth right from the start. Since he’s a journalist who helps give a voice to the voiceless, it ties perfectly to his hero identity—and the fact that he goes as far as saving a squirrel mid-battle says a lot about his character.

The first few scenes of Kent’s “normal” life are light and playful, with jumpy screen-panning that feels cute and comic book–like. But it doesn’t last long—something Gunn’s known for, especially from his Guardians of the Galaxy films. Clark is soon ousted by the villain Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult—yes, the guy with the horrendous bald cap), who alienates him from his friends and the public.

Instead of portraying Superman as cold and unbothered during this rough time, Gunn takes a different approach. He shows Kent crying and expressing emotion. Rather than the stoic, tough-guy hero, this Superman is vulnerable, human, and real.

The film also explores the devastating war between two nations, Boravia and Jarhanpur, in a way that’s rare for the superhero genre. Gunn takes it further by tying the fictional war to real-life politics—specifically, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. By having Superman support Jarhanpur (a clear stand-in for Palestine), Gunn makes a bold choice in a time when public support for Palestine in the U.S. is controversial. He may have faced backlash, but this moment proves that pop culture—especially a franchise as mainstream as Superman—can be a powerful tool for change.

That said, the movie isn’t perfect. There are sexist portrayals that made me raise an eyebrow. For example, Daily Planet reporter Cat (Mikaela Hoover) wears a revealing top and comes off more like a character built for viewer pleasure. It becomes even more obvious when she starts jumping in joy during one of Superman’s fights—a moment that felt super weird and unnecessary. Another character, Eve (Sara Sampaio), is reduced to a “dumb blonde” stereotype and mostly used to pass along information. It was disappointing to see these female characters used mainly for comic relief.

Still, Gunn’s thoughtful takes on masculinity and war are what truly set Superman apart from other superhero movies…no shade. That’s why I can say this film left a lasting impact on me… even as someone who’s never really enjoyed superhero movies before (guilty).

‘Old Guard’ Has Little New To Show

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Untitled drawing (1)Maggie Salinas

By Tara Monastesse

Warwick, R.I.

Andromache, or Andy, played by Charlize Theron, is the battle-hardened leader of a group of immortal warriors who serve as de facto protectors of the planet. In “The Old Guard,” Andy finds her crew targeted by greedy scientists who plan to kidnap them, extract their biological data, and replicate their powers of regeneration. Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, the film brings impressive choreography and new concepts to the action genre. But it stops just short of transcending it.

Perhaps the biggest flaw with “The Old Guard” is the risks it doesn’t take. While the rogue group of scientists is clearly immoral, the movie never delves into the serious question posed by their attempt to create a drug that extends human life: What do we owe to the rest of humanity? Moral questions like this present themselves throughout the movie, but instead of exploring them further, Prince-Bythewood always swerves back to more traditional fight sequences.

There’s certainly nothing wrong with that—after all, who doesn’t love watching Charlize Theron bring a sword to a machine gun fight? For a movie that’s trying to bring new depth to the genre, however, the lack of commitment to challenging storytelling in favor of gunshots and bloodshed feels tiresome. When a new member of the immortals’ group, Nile Freeman, played by KiKi Layne, questions Andy about the lives she takes without hesitation, the film appears to be on the cusp of an engaging conversation about the nature of life and death. Instead, they part ways and return to their action-flick adventures.

The immortals in the film feel almost hollow, as if their centuries of life had no role in shaping the people they’ve become. While Andy has mastered multiple languages and fighting styles over the course of human history, she ultimately presents herself as any other 21st century woman would. This is understandable, since hiding her immortality is easier if she blends in. But Theron doesn’t quite convey the burden you might feel defending humanity over centuries; often, she just looks tired.

However, I enjoyed the dynamic between the immortals, their camaraderie and constant wise-cracks, as well as the compelling romantic relationship between immortals Joe (Marwan Kenzari) and Nicky (Luca Marinelli). Despite its shortcomings, “The Old Guard” is a fun addition to the world’s pandemic playlist. I just wish it were more than that.

Immortals In ‘Old Guard’ Also Show Their Human Side

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By Hana Hammad

Debary, Fla.

The Old Guard” follows a strong female lead, Andy (Charlize Theron), an immortal trying to change the world she’s lived in for eternity. Andy stands at the head of a group of immortal warriors—Booker (Matthias Schoenaerts), Joe (Marwan Kenzari), and Nicky (Luca Marinelli)—that she discovered and trained over centuries.

One night, the immortals have a collective dream of a female Marine, Nile (KiKi Layne), a soldier who was killed in Afghanistan but mysteriously comes back to life. Andy seeks out the Marine to join her immortal warrior team—but Nile resists, confused about what is happening to her. Having lost her father a few years prior, she’s hesitant to leave her family.

Andy and her immortal warrior team are betrayed by an ex-CIA agent, Copley (Chiwetel Ejiofor), who traps them in an evil scientific research lab. The lab captures Nicky and Joe to perform tests on them for medical research. Along the way, a betrayal and plenty of action ensue.

The movie was enjoyable because it didn’t take long for the plot to pick up. The love story between Nicky and Joe was beautiful. Seeing that they had been by each other’s sides for hundreds of years softened the movie’s hard edges.

In many action movies, the theatrical fighting and explosives can be too raw, or even boring. But “The Old Guard” was able to tie in elements of love and action to make the characters seem more human, despite their immortality. Similarly, Andy’s backstory with Quynh—an immortal whose fate is revealed through a series of flashbacks—made me love the movie so much more. The strength of them together in battle scenes fighting side by side was magical.

The only downside to this movie was the predictability of some of the plotlines. The big betrayal of the film is similar to many others, such as “Big Hero 6,” “The Matrix,” and “Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.” But overall, “The Old Guard” has to be one of my favorite action movies. I typically don’t care to watch action movies but this one kept me engaged the whole time.