28. The Death Of Superman; movie review

THE DEATH OF SUPERMAN
Cert 12A
79 mins
BBFC advice: Contains moderate fantasy violence, bloody images

Do you remember when most of the screen representations of superheroes were cartoons?
Yep, we had Batman (thwack!, zowie!) and Spiderman (spins a web any size) and Superman (faster than a speeding bullet).
And probably lots of others who have slipped from my memory.
Anyway, it was splendidly nostalgic to see the return of animations, albeit they are more boundary-pushing than those I can recall.
This Superman (voiced by Jerry O'Connell) cuts a rather more vulnerable figure than the one who has saved the world in the past.
Much of his angst surrounds whether he should reveal himself as Clark Kent's alter-ego to the Daily Planet reporter's girlfriend Lois Lane (Rebecca Romijn).
He also has his regular nemesis in the shape of Lex Luthor (Rainn Wilson) but the real enemy (aside of Clark's lack of self-confidence) comes from the beast, which becomes known as Doomsday and arrives on earth within a crashed meteorite.
The Justice League struggle to fend off the new threat so, yet again, Superman is called to try to save the day.
Sadly, my enjoyment of Jake Castorena and Sam Liu's The Death of Superman was marred by its title. It rather implies what is coming doesn't it?
Or does it?
Regardless, those with romance in their heart will be fulfilled by the Kent and Lane hook-up and those who enjoy a dastardly villain will be sated by a combo of Luthor and Doomsday.
And for those who cheer for the good guys, there is heroism a go-go thanks to Superman and his pals from The Justice League.
What surprised me was the level of violence. Brutality strikes and blood flows as Doomsday cuts a swathe through Metropolis.
Nevertheless, I was more engaged than I have been in some DC live-action movies.

Reasons to watch: Prompted feelings of Superman nostalgia
Reasons to avoid: The title gives the game away

Laughs: None
Jumps: None
Vomit: None
Nudity: None
Overall rating: 7.5/10

Did you know? In August 2018, DC announced a 12-part digital comic series titled "The Death of Superman: Part 1", written by veteran Superman writer Louise Simonson that serves as a prequel to the film.

The final word - Sam Liu: "When I was younger I used to be a lot more interested in the spectacle and the fights. I am not saying they are not important because they are but the thing that interests me more now is the heart of a story."

Share this post