Frank and Squeaks dive headfirst into James Gunn’s Superman, the movie that's recharging DC with new energy and old-school heart. They break down everything—from the pacing that mimics a stack of comics, to character performances, visual highs and lows, and why this might be one of the most human versions of Superman we’ve ever seen. They also debate Guy Gardner’s scene-stealing turn, Lex Luthor’s layered villainy, the potential setup for Bizarro, and what it all means for the future of the DC Universe. This one’s packed, passionate, and full of geeky joy.
Timestamps and Topics:
00:00 Welcome and Opening Thoughts
00:27 Initial Reactions and Hype Level
01:13 Fast Pacing and Comic Book Feel
02:10 James Gunn’s Signature Style
03:30 Thoughts on the Plot and Accessibility for New Fans
04:20 Lex Luthor’s Role and Future Setup
05:36 All-Star Superman Comparisons
06:00 Kryptonian Parents Twist and Its Impact
08:30 Cancel Culture and Superman’s PR Weakness
09:58 Mr. Terrific and the Unexpected Standout
11:00 Guy Gardner's Surprising Depth and Humor
13:15 Hawkgirl and the Performance Letdown
15:00 The New Superman: Human, Hopeful, and Heroic
18:16 Lois Lane’s Portrayal and Rachel Brosnahan’s Performance
20:00 Daily Planet Crew: A Bit Too Involved?
22:30 Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor and the Two-Layered Villain
25:00 Engineer and Ultraman Discussion + Bizarro Theory
29:00 Visual Storytelling and Cinematography Highlights
32:00 CGI Thoughts and Krypto's Role
36:00 Green Lantern Constructs: Unique and Personality-Driven
38:30 Superman’s Power Progression and Final Battle
40:30 Tone and Themes: Can This Superman Fit with Batman?
43:00 Final Thoughts on Justice League Potential
44:00 Favorite Scenes and End-Credit Surprises
47:00 Final Scores and Rewatchability
50:00 IMAX Worthy? Our Theatrical Recommendation
51:00 Closing Remarks
Key Takeaways:
James Gunn’s Superman blends nostalgic charm with a modern, fast-paced narrative.
David Corenswet’s Superman is emotionally grounded and feels deeply human.
Lex Luthor, played by Nicholas Hoult, delivers a fresh take that balances public genius with private obsession.
Guy Gardner and Mr. Terrific both exceed expectations, with standout scenes that highlight their personalities.
The film’s pacing mirrors a comic book run—nonstop but rewarding.
The twist about Superman’s Kryptonian parents adds emotional weight without breaking canon.
Visual storytelling uses lighting—especially sunlight—as a powerful symbolic tool.
Bizarro may be hinted at for future films, adding another exciting layer.
While some characters like Hawkgirl were underwhelming, others like Krypto left a lasting impact.
Quotes:
“This is the Superman I pretended to be when I was running around the house as a kid.” – Frank
“Lex Luthor isn’t trying to rule the world—he’s just obsessed with stopping Superman.” – Squeaks
“It feels like you picked up a stack of DC comics and read them in one sitting.” – Squeaks
“David Corenswet might be the most human Superman we’ve seen on screen.” – Frank
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Listener Questions:
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Apple Podcast Tags:
Superman 2025, James Gunn, DC Universe, David Corenswet, Superman review, Geek Freaks podcast, Lois Lane, Lex Luthor, Green Lantern, Mr. Terrific, Bizarro, Kryptonite, superhero movies, comic book movies, DC Comics podcast, movie reviews, geek culture, comic book podcast, Squeaks and Frank, Metropolis, Krypto the dog, superhero analysis, IMAX movies, All-Star Superman, Superman vs Lex, DC cinematic universe