In contrast to most superhero films, this one has multiple storylines that weave together most enjoyably. It also features a villain who is unambiguous in his determination to rid Earth of the Kryptonian. The subtext here is obvious but it is presented in such a way as to be inclusive. It also has a total comic book feel and structure. Oh, and there is also a super dog named Krypto.

Writers Gunn, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster have fashioned a story that brings Superman and his abilities into a modern context without stripping him of his universal appeal. There are moments of doubt and suspicion by the public of his alien powers and the caustic effect that modern social media can have on individuals in the public eye. The inclusion of these elements gives the story added depth and relevance.

As pure escapism, this film is a delight and the underlying theme, while a positive one is never allowed to overwhelm the enjoyment factor by being overly saccarine. This is populist entertainment in the best possible sense and should be enjoyed as such. Leave the troubled world on the outside and settle in for an example of a cast and crew that know exactly what they want to do and have the skills and approach to make that vision truly come to life.
Rob Hudson
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DC Studios heads Peter Safran and Gunn are producing the film, which Gunn directs from his own screenplay, based on characters from DC, Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.

The film stars David Corenswet (“Twisters”, “Hollywood”) in the dual role of Superman/Clark Kent, Rachel Brosnahan (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”) as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult (the “X-Men” movies, “Juror #2”) as Lex Luthor. The film also stars Edi Gathegi (“For All Mankind”), Anthony Carrigan (“Barry”, “Gotham”), Nathan Fillion (the “Guardians of the Galaxy” films, “The Suicide Squad”), Isabela Merced (“Alien Romulus”), Skyler Gisondo (“Licorice Pizza”, “Booksmart”), Sara Sampaio (“At Midnight”), María Gabriela de Faría (“The Moodys”), Wendell Pierce (“Selma”, “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan”), Alan Tudyk (“Andor”), Pruitt Taylor Vince (“Bird Box”) and Neva Howell (“Greedy People”).

“Superman” is executive produced by Nikolas Korda, Chantal Nong Vo and Lars Winther. Behind the camera, Gunn is joined by frequent collaborators, including director of photography Henry Braham, production designer Beth Mickle, costume designer Judianna Makovsky and composer John Murphy, along with editors Craig Alpert (“Deadpool 2”, “Blue Beetle”), Jason Ballantine (the “IT” films, “The Flash”) and William Hoy (“The Batman”).

“Superman” will be in theaters and IMAX nationwide on July 11, 2025, and internationally beginning 9 July 2025, distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.

“Superman” will release in Australian cinemas from July 10.
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The formation of new and inventive ways of creating peril is impressive. Even hardcore fans of the franchise will be surprised and delighted with the results as will their ability to pick up on the easter eggs scattered throughout. It successfully sets out for something new while still respecting what has come before.

Rain Carradine (Cailee Spaeny) is a mining worker that gets screwed over by the megacorporation Weyland-Yutani. Having extended her tour of duty by years, she decides to side with her brother Tyler (Archie Renaux) on a crazy scheme to travel to a distant planet that offers a better life than the one found underground.

This involves appropriating parts from a spaceship that appears abandoned in space. Unfortunately, the ship is not completely empty and plays host to some most unwanted inhabitants. Alvarez succeeds in building a tension that never completely dissipates and the imagination used in creating new hurdles to overcome keeps things moving at a fast pace. This is clever filmmaking and should appeal to fans of the franchise and newbies alike.
Rob Hudson
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“Alien: Romulus” takes the phenomenally successful “Alien” franchise back to its roots: While scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station, a group of young space colonizers come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe.

The film stars Cailee Spaeny (“Civil War”), David Jonsson (“Agatha Christie’s Murder is Easy”), Archie Renaux (“Shadow and Bone”), Isabela Merced (“The Last of Us”), Spike Fearn (“Aftersun”), Aileen Wu. Fede Alvarez (“Evil Dead,” “Don’t Breathe”) directs from a screenplay he wrote with frequent collaborator Rodo Sayagues (“Don’t Breathe 2”) based on characters created by Dan O’Bannon and Ronald Shusett.

“Alien: Romulus” is produced by Ridley Scott (“Napoleon”), who directed the original “Alien” and produced and directed the series’ entries “Prometheus” and “Alien: Covenant,” Michael Pruss (“Boston Strangler”), and Walter Hill (“Alien”), with Fede Alvarez, Elizabeth Cantillon (“Charlie’s Angels”), Brent O’Connor (“Bullet Train”), and Tom Moran (“Unstoppable”) se ving as executive producers.
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“Alien: Romulus” takes the phenomenally successful “Alien” franchise back to its roots: While scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station, a group of young space colonizers come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe.

The film stars Cailee Spaeny (“Civil War”), David Jonsson (“Agatha Christie’s Murder is Easy”), Archie Renaux (“Shadow and Bone”), Isabela Merced (“The Last of Us”), Spike Fearn (“Aftersun”), Aileen Wu. Fede Alvarez (“Evil Dead,” “Don’t Breathe”) directs from a screenplay he wrote with frequent collaborator Rodo Sayagues (“Don’t Breathe 2”) based on characters created by Dan O’Bannon and Ronald Shusett.

“Alien: Romulus” is produced by Ridley Scott (“Napoleon”), who directed the original “Alien” and produced and directed the series’ entries “Prometheus” and “Alien: Covenant”, Michael Pruss (“Boston Strangler”), and Walter Hill (“Alien”), with Fede Alvarez, Elizabeth Cantillon (“Charlie’s Angels”), Brent O’Connor (“Bullet Train”), and Tom Moran (“Unstoppable”) se ving as executive producers.
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The sci-fi/horror-thriller takes the phenomenally successful “Alien” franchise back to its roots: While scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station, a group of young space colonizers come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe.

The film stars Cailee Spaeny (“Priscilla”), David Jonsson (“Agatha Christie’s Murder is Easy”), Archie Renaux (“Shadow and Bone”), Isabela Merced (“The Last of Us”), Spike Fearn (“Aftersun”), Aileen Wu. Fede Alvarez (“Evil Dead,” “Don’t Breathe”) directs from a screenplay he wrote with frequent collaborator Rodo Sayagues (“Don’t Breathe 2”) based on characters created by Dan O’Bannon and Ronald Shusett.

“Alien: Romulus” is produced by Ridley Scott (“Napoleon”), who directed the original “Alien” and produced and directed the series’ entries “Prometheus” and “Alien: Covenant,” Michael Pruss (“Boston Strangler”), and Walter Hill (“Alien”), with Fede Alvarez, Elizabeth Cantillon (“Charlie’s Angels”), Brent O’Connor (“Bullet Train”), and Tom Moran (“Unstopable”) serving as executive producers.
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As the story continues and adds players Sydney Sweeney as Julia Cornwall, Isabela Merced as Anya Corazon and Celeste O’Connor as Mattie Franklin, it becomes more conventual and far less edgy. Keeping the theatregoer off balance is a solid technique and should have been used longer.

As the conventions collect and become dominant, so too does the reliance on special effects. With this much girl power, it seems they should have given these ladies a bigger canvas to paint on. There were many directions and backstories that could have been included to enhance the proceedings.

By the film’s end, it becomes a bit too influenced by the Marvel ethos of having to end with a big bang. This level of bombast while interesting on the surface deprives one of a more engaging experience as these characters could have been expanded into something grand. The excitement is there, just not enough story to go with it.
Rob Hudson
www.facebook.com/SonyPicturesAUS/

“Meanwhile, in another universe…” In a switch from the typical genre, Madame Web tells the standalone origin story of one of Marvel publishing’s most enigmatic heroines.

The suspense-driven thriller stars Dakota Johnson as Cassandra Webb, a paramedic in Manhattan who may have clairvoyant abilities.

Forced to confront revelations about her past, she forges a relationship with three young women destined for powerful futures… if they can all survive a deadly present.

Starring Dakota Johnson, Sydney Sweeney, Celeste O’Connor, Isabela Merced, Tahar Rahim, Mike Epps, Emma Roberts, Adam Scott – Madame Web will be released in Aussie cinemas February 14!
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Competition will be drawn February 12, winners will be notified by mail.

In a switch from the typical genre, Madame Web tells the standalone origin story of one of Marvel publishing’s most enigmatic heroines.

The suspense-driven thriller stars Dakota Johnson as Cassandra Webb, a paramedic in Manhattan who may have clairvoyant abilities. Forced to confront revelations about her past, she forges a relationship with three young women destined for powerful futures… if they can all survive a deadly present.

Starring Dakota Johnson, Sydney Sweeney, Celeste O’Connor, Isabela Merced, Tahar Rahim, Mike Epps, Emma Roberts, Adam Scott, Madame Web will be released in Aussie cinemas February 14, 2024!
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Lucky Prescott (Isabela Merced AKA Dora the Explorer) is a free spirit who has lost her mother at an early age and grown up full of vigour for the world around her. Concern from her family for her future cause them to relocate her to the sleepy town of Miradero. The town is also the home of her absent father Jim (Jake Gyllenhaal). He disappeared from her life in reaction to the overwhelming grief of losing his wife, Lucky’s mother.

At first, the relaxed lifestyle of the town drives Lucky to distraction until she bonds with the wild horse Spirit. From this point forward her life becomes filled with purpose and she fights to save the wild animal and its herd from a group of rowdy wranglers led by Hendricks (Walton Goggins). This transforms the film into an epic tale of female-led heroism.

Taking full advantage of the animator’s art, the computer-generated landscapes are impressive as is the level of danger to be overcome. It treads the fine line between immediate harm and overwhelming danger and provides just the right level of thrills for the little ones. As always with films like this, it provides adult amusement as you try to figure out which character is attached to which star’s voice. You’ll be surprised by how few you get.

Rob Hudson
www.facebook.com/UniversalPicturesAU