IT BEGINS

Starring: David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult, Edi Gathegi, Nathan Fillion, Anthony Carrigan, Isabela Merced, Skyler Gisondo, Sara Sampaio, Wendell Pierce, Mikaela Hoover, María Gabriela de Faría, Alan Tudyk (voice)

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"Your choices, your actions, that's what makes you who you are." - Jonathan Kent to Clark

Why watch this? James Gunn's official start to a new DC Universe is exceptional in all the right places.

Plot Summary: Clark Kent has been Superman for three years. There are already other super-heroes on Earth. He works at the Daily Planet, and the gang is all there: Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, Cat Grant and Perry White. Superman takes a beating at the hands of a metahuman called The Hammer of Boravia. This appears to be backlash from Superman's interference in a Middle Eastern conflict between Boravia and Jarhanpur, where he prevented a war. Meanwhile, Lex Luthor, as usual, appears to be involved in all things against the Man of Steel.

Dad's Preview: After Warner Bros. ended the Snyder-verse, the reins were handed over to quirky director James Gunn (Guardians of the Galaxy, Suicide Squad), and he wisely opted to not rehash the origin story. This film is spectacular. As expected, it is packed with action, special effects, and thrilling scenes. What really surprised me was the careful attention paid to the tender moments that help the viewers see the human side of an alien being who possesses enough power to, frankly, scare people. The moments with his pooch Krypto, Lois and his parents are truly heart-rending. The most important aspect is that this film gets the essence of Superman right - no matter what, he will not kill - EVER. This is the Superman the Iron Giant wanted to be. Some will say this film is over-stuffed - disregard that negative noise. I could not get enough of it, and wanted more. And more is coming...  

DC Studios, Troll Court Ent., The Safran Company; Warner Bros. Pictures