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Da Boss wrote: Ahtman: I did, he's responsible for the dog so he should train it not to attack stuff.
So you either missed or are ignoring the fact that the dog actually belongs to Kara?
He's just caring for Krypto while Kara's away.
It seems Da Boss thinks if someone needs you watch their dog for a week it is your time to shine as a dog trainer, even if your week contains getting beat all to hell by a clone, fighting a kaiju, and being imprisoned and tortured for a few days by the world's leading hater.
Looking back the signs that it wasn't his dog were all there. He generally kept him in the Fortress except when he was injured or when krypto was kidnapped. Clark refers to Krypto as "the dog" all the time, even going so far as to say "he isn't a very good dog, but he's probably alone and scared".
Amidst the mists and coldest frosts he thrusts his fists against the posts and still insists he sees the ghosts.
Sounds like Supergirl will be quite a caper then. Looking forward to seeing the super family being expanded...
One of the headaches with the film is the super dog and the robot helpers at the start of the film - who are they? Were they set up in a previous Superman film? Kudos to James Gunn for his passion for Superman, but as an ordinary cinema goer who hasn't read a single Superman comic, and only coming in from the previous Reeve and Cavill movies at best, I felt like I was back in MCU territory where I'd missed out on too many previous movies to make sense of it all. I'm guessing that Superman built the robots at an earlier point in his life but the dog...
Spoiler:
...we haven't even had the reboot of Supergirl yet, let alone her friggin dog! Its been far too long since I last saw the 80s Supergirl but I think she was on a Kryptonian outpost on a different planet, and I can only assume the dog is also from there?
That said, they didn't hurt the film and gave it a light hearted feel. But as they give with one hand they take away in the other...
As much as I admire the talent of Nicholas Hoult, I didn't enjoy Lex Luthor much. Even Gene Hackman's Lex was willing to kill an intruder, or launch missiles to cause major disasters, but what happens in this film made me feel like his character was going down the path of Max Zorin in A View To A Kill, which even Roger Moore would comment on in later interviews - that the Bond series had lost it's way.
The only other thing that stood out is the confusing "pixel lava" scene. Confusing in that Superman is trying to keep someone else alive, but in several shots it looked like they'd gone under with him. I was questioning how they were still alive.
Actually one more...
Spoiler:
Johnathan Kent is alive this late into Superman's life? Very confusing after two incarnations where he dies before Clark even leaves to become Superman.
...oh and...
Spoiler:
look...you can't put the Superman number 77 with the 200s - they haven't even discovered Red Kryptonite yet...and youwaaa...you can't put the number 98 with the 300s - Lori Lemaris hasn't even been introduced.
...that's really all I know about the Superman comics! And I even had to watch that film with subtitles to understand what he was saying!
This version of Johnathan was taught by his father not to walk into tornados.
Spoiler:
Superman actually tends to lose his father pretty late into his career. The point of the story is generally a variation of Superman learning to accept the inevitability of death and that there are some things even he can't stop.
The dog you're not supposed to know about until the end as an intentional curveball. I do think the Fortress and robots with zero setup is a little weird though and I do agree the pixel river is visually hard to follow. Definitely a bit too much going on there.
EDIT: Added spoiler tags except that first bit because its not unreasonable to assume that human beings have an aversion to walking into tornados.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2025/07/17 21:21:49
It has been weird hearing people complain for a decade or more that we don't need an origin film for these characters to then turn around and hear complaints about how they needed an origin film to explain the set up.
As to pixel rivers:
Spoiler:
Between the river being cubes and clone Superman falling into a black hole with them, people are theorizing that is a possible set up for Bizarro sometime down the line, what with Bizarro being from a cube planet with other cube things on it.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2025/07/17 23:53:58
Amidst the mists and coldest frosts he thrusts his fists against the posts and still insists he sees the ghosts.
LunarSol wrote: I was also just reminded that Jason Mamoa is set show up in this film as... Lobo instead of returning as Aquaman, which honestly sounds perfect.
It does, indeed.
They should also bring back Patrick Wilson... as Aquaman.
LunarSol wrote: I was also just reminded that Jason Mamoa is set show up in this film as... Lobo instead of returning as Aquaman, which honestly sounds perfect.
It does, indeed.
They should also bring back Patrick Wilson... as Aquaman.
Henry Cavill as Zod!
"Sometimes the only victory possible is to keep your opponent from winning." - The Emperor, from The Outcast Dead.
"Tell your gods we are coming for them, and that their realms will burn as ours did." -Thostos Bladestorm
LunarSol wrote: I was also just reminded that Jason Mamoa is set show up in this film as... Lobo instead of returning as Aquaman, which honestly sounds perfect.
It does, indeed.
They should also bring back Patrick Wilson... as Aquaman.
Henry Cavill as Zod!
Henry Cavill is busy working on my dream project with Russel Crowe... a Highlander reboot!
BorderCountess wrote: Just because you're doing something right doesn't necessarily mean you know what you're doing...
Ahtman wrote: It has been weird hearing people complain for a decade or more that we don't need an origin film for these characters to then turn around and hear complaints about how they needed an origin film to explain the set up.
I'm firmly in the no origin film needed. He is Superman, unless you live under a rock you know he is Clark Kent from planet Krypton (which blew up), lives in Metropolis, fights super-evil-rich-genius Lex Luthor, works in the Daily Planet as a reporter and is dating (or married to) Lois Lane. Can fly, has super strength, laser eyes, borderline invulnerable but kryptonite depowers him and can kill him (said weaknesses is so famous that the term kryptonite has become another synonym for being weak to something). Oh and has a giant alien crystal castle in one of the poles.
All that without needing to read a comic, because I have lost count of how many tv shows and movies have already done the whole origin thing.
It’s the same approach as Spider-Man Homecoming. We don’t an origin story, because the origins are a central part to Who They Are.
So, no need to reinvent, and assume the audience knows. Even if the audience doesn’t know? This Superman does cover it. Fortress of Solitdue with alien tech? Check! Kryptonian Parents sending Supes to Earth due to planet go splat? Check! Raised by simple farming folk? Check! Said simple farming folk being his moral backbone and background? Check!
All there. No need to waffle on. Certainly no need to go back and show it all in vignettes. Nor have an obese ginger kid as the school bully which I’m fairly sure has never happened ever in the history of the world. Certainly wouldn’t have happened when I was a kid. And I’m not convinced kids are any less vicious and judgemental these days,
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Ahtman wrote: It has been weird hearing people complain for a decade or more that we don't need an origin film for these characters to then turn around and hear complaints about how they needed an origin film to explain the set up.
As to pixel rivers:
Spoiler:
Between the river being cubes and clone Superman falling into a black hole with them, people are theorizing that is a possible set up for Bizarro sometime down the line, what with Bizarro being from a cube planet with other cube things on it.
There's basically two obvious directions to take him next:
Spoiler:
Bizarro as mentioned. Cube world, kinda dumb already. The hard part is how you use him but the classic "he's MY monster" line from Lex would be a good start.
The other option is Ultraman of the Crime Syndicate of Earth-3. Already have the name. Obvious option to have him leading the "Evil Justice Gang" in a future film.
Judging by the way this film layers references, the answer is probably some version of both. Maybe we could get Nick Jandl back as Power Ring.
Ahtman wrote: It has been weird hearing people complain for a decade or more that we don't need an origin film for these characters to then turn around and hear complaints about how they needed an origin film to explain the set up.
As to pixel rivers:
Spoiler:
Between the river being cubes and clone Superman falling into a black hole with them, people are theorizing that is a possible set up for Bizarro sometime down the line, what with Bizarro being from a cube planet with other cube things on it.
There's basically two obvious directions to take him next:
Spoiler:
Bizarro as mentioned. Cube world, kinda dumb already. The hard part is how you use him but the classic "he's MY monster" line from Lex would be a good start.
The other option is Ultraman of the Crime Syndicate of Earth-3. Already have the name. Obvious option to have him leading the "Evil Justice Gang" in a future film.
Judging by the way this film layers references, the answer is probably some version of both. Maybe we could get Nick Jandl back as Power Ring.
Although i hope for the Crime Syndicate route, theres also
Spoiler:
Option 3: he comes back later as a version of Doomsday.
ccs wrote: Although i hope for the Crime Syndicate route, theres also
Spoiler:
Option 3: he comes back later as a version of Doomsday.
Spoiler:
Going down the Superman & Lois route, eh?
I'm down for a lot of the more comic book shenanigans but I hope they steer clear of multiverse stuff for some time. It just is kind of played out atm.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2025/07/18 21:32:43
Amidst the mists and coldest frosts he thrusts his fists against the posts and still insists he sees the ghosts.
ccs wrote: Although i hope for the Crime Syndicate route, theres also
Spoiler:
Option 3: he comes back later as a version of Doomsday.
Spoiler:
Going down the Superman & Lois route, eh?
I'm down for a lot of the more comic book shenanigans but I hope they steer clear of multiverse stuff for some time. It just is kind of played out atm.
Spoiler:
Well, given that they already introduced a sub-dimensional prison (my 1st thought was Oh, totally-not-the-Phantom-zone) & a dimensional imp was fought right outside Clarks window....
I went to see the movie with my 15-year old son yesterday, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Highlights for me include:
Spoiler:
How janky the trunks on the costume were. That's a look that is so difficult to pull off that most recent versions of the character just put him in a blue bodycon suit. This version of the costume really looks handmade.
Krypto reminded me of my own undertrained dog who passed away a couple of years ago. He's not a bad dog, he just wants to play!
Mr. Terrific was, er, terrific. I want to see more of him. Also Metamorpho.
All the callbacks to the Donner Superman. Otis and Ms. Tessmacher, Lex wanting to be a real estate baron, all the musical cues in the score-- all little winks for me and people my age, but unobtrusive enough that they don't ruin anything for younger viewers.
I don't hold high hopes for a whole DC cinematic universe to spring from this film, but I would like to see more in this style.
Went to go see the movie yesterday, here’s my thoughts, full spoilers btw
Spoiler:
I really liked Superman in this movie, no drawn out origin story, with the few parts in it being explained quickly enough like the home message. Superman really felt like a good person who fights to save even squirrels, and fights to stop death regardless of the condemnation by political actors.i loved the interview between him and Lois lane, I think it really gets across who he is as a person to even those seeing Superman for the first time, as I saw with some kids in the theater. Him being such a paragon I feel is part of his draw, how he’s an ideal. I guess it’s just nice to have a genuinely good person trying to do the right thing because they feel it’s right, instead of the usual brooding and suffering kind of thing.
Krypto did feel like he broke the tension too much, but I get people like silly dogs. Was cool to see Mr terrific, since I didn’t know much about him before but he got some really cool scenes I enjoyed. Lex Luther was a mega hater, which was pretty fun to watch. I do wish the ending with Superman had him helping the people instead of fighting evil Superman, since it felt like the movie wanted Superman to be the paragon fighting for the people while the justice gang works on the more unsubtle beat stick villains, and it would make sense and make the justice gang seem actually strong by proving they can take on lex’s trained evil Superman themselves while Superman fights for the people and downtrodden. Would have been easy to show how lex focused so hard on only fighting Superman, he failed to even consider the friends he has. Then again, it did show how the justice gang took up the values that Superman had of protecting the weak, which I think was a nice sort of character growth.
Uh I give the film a good out of 10, I liked it.
I just realized this probably belongs in the mini movie reviews thread, oh well!
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2025/07/24 18:47:21
One day I will have something funny enough to be in a signature.
Test audiences always seem to have the worst demands. Unless you count the somewhat heartbreaking (and unconfirmed) story of the Addams Family test audience of children who wanted more Gomez and Morticia.
Spoiler:
Originally the movie was supposedly more focused on Wednesday and Pugsley to appeal to children, but the children in the test audiences responded more to Gomez and Morticia. When asked why, they explained “because the mommy and daddy love each other.”
Unfortunately, I think it's a reflection of the times with how widespread cynicism is towards major public figures doing good acts (for understandable reasons sadly) that having an unambiguously good character is seen as jarring and countercultural.
You can see it from how oversaturated it is now for most modern takes on the superhero genre like the Boys where the "heroes" almost always have an ulterior motive or they lampoon and strawman things like how Batman is often incorrectly being dumbed down to just "a crazy guy in a bat costume that beats up homeless people".
This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2025/07/24 19:41:35
Unfortunately, I think it's a reflection of the times with how widespread cynicism is towards major public figures doing good acts (for understandable reasons sadly) that having an unambiguously good character is seen as jarring and countercultural.
The trouble with asking humans for their opinion is that every last one of them, to some degree or other, is a moron. And I absolutely include myself in that.
Oh they might otherwise be incredibly intelligent and perceptive. But that’s never, ever stopped anyone being silly, stupid or moronic from time to time. Especially when it comes to media.
We’ve all seen commentary about how a film explained and explored its plot across its runtime, instead of quite inexplicably just Doing The Cliff Notes.
We’ve all seen people getting completely the wrong end of the stick and holding Obvious Richard Cranium characters as something to aspire to.
We’ve all seen political hot takes on subtext where the point of view must surely have involved wearing someone else’s glasses, 20 pints of very strong beer, both eyes being poked with a sharp stick and all in a pitch black room, regardless of the commentator’s political leanings.
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Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote: The trouble with asking humans for their opinion is that every last one of them, to some degree or other, is a moron. And I absolutely include myself in that.
What a coincidence, I also include you in that!
Amidst the mists and coldest frosts he thrusts his fists against the posts and still insists he sees the ghosts.
Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote: The trouble with asking humans for their opinion is that every last one of them, to some degree or other, is a moron. And I absolutely include myself in that.
What a coincidence, I also include you in that!
Hey! That's my Spirit Animal/Guide.
BorderCountess wrote: Just because you're doing something right doesn't necessarily mean you know what you're doing...
Grimskul wrote: Unfortunately, I think it's a reflection of the times with how widespread cynicism is towards major public figures doing good acts (for understandable reasons sadly) that having an unambiguously good character is seen as jarring and countercultural.
You can see it from how oversaturated it is now for most modern takes on the superhero genre like the Boys where the "heroes" almost always have an ulterior motive or they lampoon and strawman things like how Batman is often incorrectly being dumbed down to just "a crazy guy in a bat costume that beats up homeless people".
This is why Worm is both my favorite deconstruction of the super hero genre, and my favorite reconstruction of the super hero genre. It both acknowledges the impossibility of true moral paragons, while emphasizing that the world is not blindly full of evil people doing evil things for evil reasons. Most people act in accordance to what they think is right, even evil people. Even if you fail, things turn to gak despite your best efforts to do good, you should still go through life trying to do the best that you can. Warts and all.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2025/07/24 23:32:15
To be honest the most basic superhero genre's premise* is so absurd at its core, it's hard not to deconstruct or lampoon it.
*- due to a pseudoscientific event that doesn't make much sense I get an an ability out of a 10yo boy's power fantasy that also doesn't make much sense and that urges me to dress like a Cirque de Soleil performer, adopt a silly pseudonym and fight villains who are similarly absurd.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2025/07/25 08:49:26
A friend had a really weird reaction to this one - my wife told me about it after seeing her the other day. Apparently she was really looking forward to it but then discovered that Superman (and I don't think this is a spoiler!) has a dog in it. Her reaction was "That wasn't in the old (Christopher Reeve I assume) films! I'm not watching that!"
May have to find a way of gently letting her know that Krypto was introduced as a character in 1955, well before either of us were born...
