DC Universe

[Ben]

So we had the teaser to the teaser two days ago, then the teaser to the trailer today, and the trailer coming tomorrow.

A lot of people I’m speaking to over here, including myself, are quite surprised at how cheap, campily colorful, and TV this feels, like it’s kind of been rushed.

It’s a mistake to go with Williams' theme yet again. Unless this is a stealth Superman Returns sequel, which would also be a mistake, it’s only going to keep getting compared to the original first two movies, unless it’s a stealth sequel to those and wipes Returns away once and for all. That could happen, but it’s going to feel like warmed up leftovers microwaved for the umpteenth time.

The fact that two teasers have dropped since that countdown appeared and no-one has said anything about them here speaks volumes that we all know…shhh…this doesn't look very good. Five or six bigger fanboys than me here and very disappointed or "meh" at the fairly good dollop revealed so far… Someone else I spoke to tonight just said he went "huh!" after seeing today's teaser, which I was kind of glad about so I didn’t think it was just me!

Guess we'll see tomorrow at 1pm UK time…

[Randall]

Geez, wait for the teaser to actually show up. We've barely seen anything. I for one am pumped. And I love the brighter colours. Thank goodness it's eschewing the drabness of the Snyder films.

I loved the Williams theme use, which was more of a homage tagged at the end of an ad for the teaser. It may not even be in the film.

And there's no way this is a sequel to anything that's gone before. This is a whole new universe, aside from select nods to the Gunn parts of the Snyderverse.

[Ben]

Harrumph.

It takes quite a bit to totally ruin John Williams’ Superman theme…

[gaastra]

[Ben]

Harrumph.

It takes quite a bit to totally ruin John Williams’ Superman theme…

[Randall]

While I admittedly wasn't blown away (I might even admit to being a smidge disappointed), I still think it's going in a good direction. It's just a teaser, after all, and it's way too early to really judge. After all, we're still several months away from release. There's a whole lot of work to do on this film yet, and we've barely seen anything of it. But so far, I have no major concerns. On the other hand, I didn't see much to make me overly excited, either. But that's okay. Just a teaser.

Some thoughts: I'm sure we'll see Supes smile in the actual film - at least, I hope! He did more smooching in the teaser than smiling.

Good to see brighter colours again. Thank goodness we are getting away from Snyder's mopey grimness, drab colours, and his vision of pseudo "realism." His take was interesting for what it was, but it wasn't my version of Superman. However, I don't think we've really gotten an idea of who this particular Superman is from the teaser, yet.

I love that Krypto is there, though it's not the breed I would have chosen - but at least there's a Krypto! With a cape! Huzzah! I really dig that comic book silliness.

I see people saying, "Oh, no! This looks like it's for kids!" Well, I sure hope so!!!!! I sure regretted taking my little girl to Superman Returns, and didn't bother taking any kids to see Man of Steel. We need a Superman film for kids! Still, all the blood and smooching makes it look not all that kiddie-focused.

I do like the idea that we're entering a world with an established team of heroes that Superman can play off of and be compared to, apparently a theme of the film that doesn't really come out in the teaser.

I could do without another Lex just yet, but I can deal with it. Hoult can deliver, at least.

[Ben]

We should not all be feeling disappointed.

[Randall]

Well, sure, but a lot has to do with expectations. And we had big expectations for sure, even if tempered with trepidation. I do see tons of people on social media who are absolutely thrilled, too. I look forward to getting a full trailer to get a better look.

[gaastra]

https://x.com/Luiz_Fernando_J/status/18 ... 2Fpage-485

[Dacey]

The fact that two teasers have dropped since that countdown appeared and no-one has said anything about them here speaks volumes that we all know…shhh…this doesn't look very good.

Or it could have been because they were short teasers for a trailer, and didn’t provide much to discuss. I also never watch “trailers for trailers” if I can help it. And let’s face it, the forum in general is much more quiet overall than it used to be during our glory days.

Personally I loved the use of the Williams theme—especially in the poster teaser (it also had shades of Zimmer in it, which was nice)—and don’t see how you avoid having it considering what they’re going for, really. It is Superman’s defining score, so I don’t think there’s anything wrong with using it here (people don’t only associate it with the Reeve movies anymore).

Outside of the prominent inclusion of the DC Studios logo at the end, this was an exceptional trailer. Isn’t this what everyone said they wanted from a Supes film? (And I say that has a big Snyderverse fan who feels the need to point out that, yes, Cavill’s Supes did smile. ) Then again, I’m the weirdo here who didn’t hate Returns.

[Ben]

Reeve.

[Dacey]

Hey, don’t blame me, blame autocorrect.

I do need to watch Super/Man on Max as soon as I’m able to. It had a theatrical run here for about a week but didn’t stick around long enough for anyone to really check it out (which has sadly become the norm for smaller releases post-pandemic. Memoir of a Snail literally only played here for six days, so I completely missed out on that one).

[Randall]

So, I did something crazy last night. I watched Superman teaser reactions for over two hours. Yep.

Watching reaction videos may be the biggest waste of time known to man, yes. But I couldn't help myself. The look of pure joy in the YouTube thumbnails got me. And once I watched the first one, I just kept on going. Because they brought me joy. And hope. More than the teaser itself, admittedly - but wow, were people happy. Like, deliriously happy.

There seemed to be maybe hundreds of these online, and I must have seen dozens of them, either viewing the full length or skimming through them. And the reactions were extraordinary.

I viewed folks from age 18 to about 75 in these things. Nerdy youngsters, preppy college students, middle-aged hipsters, average joes, and aging robust family men. Men and women. People who loved Man of Steel, and people who didn't care for it. People who were lukewarm on Superman, to lifelong uber fans. All backgrounds - black, white, and other. People from the UK, USA, and Australia, and maybe other places. And every single one of these folks loved what they saw. I heard no significantly negative comments, only the occasional minor nitpicks or reservations. (Undoubtedly there are negative comments from someone, but I never saw them in all my viewing.) And I saw tears. So many tears.

People are so ready for this. They want the bright blue costume, the sense of hope, and clear blue skies. And by God, they want Krypto.

The best part of most videos is watching viewers' expressions when Superman whistles. Folks who don't know why he's whistling scrunch up their faces, not knowing what to expect. Those who know (or suspect) what's coming look astonished, gleefully anticipatory, or disbelieving. And when Krypto kicks up that cloud of snow, those expressions of the knowledgeable turn to absolute joy. And then when Krypto comes fully into view, the tears come, big time. Or there's an exclamation of "You're a good boy!!" I heard that one over and over again. And for those who don't know Krypto, there are big smiles, and a remark of "Wait, he has a dog?" That seems to be a very good thing for everyone.

I think that for many, Krypto symbolizes the purity and the innocent goofiness of the Superman comics. He signifies that this film is by someone who loves Superman. And that Superman is a guy who loves his dog - so easily relatable - and his dog is awesome and capable of saving even Superman. Any dog lover will love that Krypto is in this.

Then by the time that Krypto grabs the cape, Gunn has people right where he wants them. Cut to Superman saving the girl, in a wonderful action shot, and people start cheering. And sobbing. Folks you would never guess would even tear up start sobbing, often to their own astonishment. This is the Superman they want to see, whether they realized it or not. They want the Superman that won't allow any collateral damage, if he can help it. A Superman that cares. A Superman that so inspires hope that a boy in a far-off land feels empowered to hoist a flag and ask for help.

Then there's a glare of sun as Hoult is revealed as a smart-looking Lex. Not a goofy, mop-top Eisenberg, but a comic-accurate Lex. And, with apologies to Hackman and Spacey, this is the first time that I felt the real Lex was on screen since the serials.

People LOVE hearing the Williams theme - and even love the guitar version. It's fresh but harkens back to what we loved about the Reeve films. People LOVE seeing "Mrs. Maisel" as Lois. They love seeing Clark hug his pop in an obviously tender moment. They're intrigued by the kaiju and the other heroes, whether they know them or not. (I heard one guy excitedly shout when he saw Mr. Terrific, "There's a brother in this thing!!")

People are feeling hope from this teaser, which is bizarre in a way. It opens with Superman beaten, bleeding, and needing his doggie to take him home. It shows Superman being shouted at, and a can being thrown at his head. It shows Superman looking dejected. And we never see him smile. And yet.. people get it. They know that Lois's love, Pa's guidance, and Clark's own innate goodness will come to his rescue and force him to save the day. They know that Superman will be there for us in the end. Without seeing Superman victorious, the audience still knows to expect greatness.

And that is extraordinary.

So, what I'm saying is... If Gunn sticks the landing and we get a great film next July, it's going to be HUGE. Even the sky is not the limit. And nothing would make this lifelong Superman fan happier.

[Dacey]

[Ben]

Superfan, surely…?