Justice League (Finally) Gets Superman Right

WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for Warner Bros.' Justice League, in theaters now.

In the DC Extended Universe, one of the biggest criticisms has been how Zack Snyder portrayed Superman for a new generation of fans. They were divided on how rash and aggressive Henry Cavill was as an inexperienced Man of Steel in 2013, a far cry from the virtuous depictions we saw from the likes of Christoper Reeve, Dean Cain, and Smallville's Tom Welling. His impetuous and confrontational nature in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice didn't really help things two years later.

When Superman eventually died at the hands of Doomsday, despite the glimmer of heroism we saw, there was a clear opening for Warner Bros. to course correct the lukewarm reception to him so far. As more and more details from Justice League began to roll out, it then became very clear that Snyder, Geoff Johns and the rest of the creative team were duly obliging calls to make the universe lighter and more inspirational, and they were indeed ready to start with Superman.

Snyder's third chapter, flaws aside, hits the nail on the head, acting as a rebirth for the character, literally and metaphorically, giving us Superman as a smiling and optimistic beacon of hope. The director achieves this by acknowledging that while Kal-El of Krypton may have the external abilities of a god, his true power comes from within.

It takes just about an hour for Snyder to get into Superman's resurrection, with Batman insisting to his fellow heroes that they need him back to thwart Steppenwolf. As Cyborg and Batman explore what the Mother Box can do, the Dark Knight realizes that it has the ability to rebuild genetic material. The team then reluctantly goes along with his plan to use the fallen Kryptonian amniotic chamber that created Doomsday and Flash's electric energy to repurpose the Box as a cosmic defibrillator to revive him.

And so they do. However, Snyder cleverly paces his comeback. When Superman returns it's not immediately triumphant as he finds himself facing the Batman who tried to kill him and new faces he perceives to be threats. Superman pummels the League only for Lois Lane to show up and kickstart his journey back to the light. He flies off with her to Smallville, reconnecting with home and the people he loves, and at this juncture, we can safely say we're not just looking at a hero, but a son and husband. Seeing him basking in Earth's yellow sun, recharging not just physically, but mentally as well, leaves the impression that Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely crafted on All-Star Superman, with a mature Clark that seems at peace, and appreciative of everyone in his life. Simply put, he's whole again. This is why, when Lois reminds him of his higher calling to help Batman save the world, it's believable that he's much more ready for the job at hand.

Page 2: [valnet-url-page page=2 paginated=0 text='Truth%2C%20Justice%20and%20Compassion']

As Superman leaves to join the fray, we see Steppenwolf hammering the League at his nuclear base, making snarky comments about the "truth" of the situation, which is that the New God is bigger, faster and stronger than them all. Cue Superman's grand entrance and the 180-degree turn of the character, highlighted with a quippy retort that represents the tonal shift the DCEU wants to take.

"I believe in truth, but I believe in justice as well," he jokes before punching Steppenwolf away. It's not just his demeanor that leaves us in awe, but it's his look too. Snyder loses the dark, saturated palette of Superman's costume, opting for visuals that are now brighter and filled with his signature red, yellow and blue pop. As Superman proceeds to lift buildings, saving hundreds, if not thousands, we're also seeing him as a leader, compounded by how he directs Flash on how their speedy rescue mission should go. Snyder also allows Superman to cut loose but this time, it's not reckless. The Kryptonian tempers his power set, as seen with his heat vision, and also a new revelation in the DCEU: his freeze-breath on Steppenwolf's axe which allows Wonder Woman to shatter it leading to his downfall.

When all's said and done, Superman is front and center with the League, having not only saved the day, but rescued countless civilians, punctuating how far both he and Batman have come since BvS, and aligning them with the grace and glory of Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman. You can feel the compassion, empathy, and as cliched as it sounds, the comforting warmth of Superman in particular. Justice League makes it a full-circle journey by forging that comic-famous bond with him and Bruce Wayne, who helps the Kents get their farm back. We're now privy to a thankful Clark and a repentant Bruce, as their journey to becoming true friends is finally beginning.

When we see Clark in the city, clad in a jacket and wearing his glasses, it finally feels like a just homage to Christopher Reeve, Superman benchmark. At film's end, whether it's Superman opening his shirt to reveal his iconic emblem, whether he's jetting off amid clouds, or injecting humor and soul into a friendly race with Flash, you can't help but feel that at long last, there's something finally worth looking up to the sky for.

Now in theaters, Justice League stars Ben Affleck as Batman, Henry Cavill as Superman, Amy Adams as Lois Lane, Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, Jason Momoa as Aquaman, Ezra Miller as The Flash, Raymond Fisher as Cyborg, Willem Dafoe as Vulko, Jeremy Irons as Alfred Pennyworth, Diane Lane as Martha Kent, Connie Nielsen as Queen Hippolyta, Amber Heard as Mera and J.K. Simmons as Commissioner Gordon.