Superman explores Clark Kent/Superman’s (David Corenswet) journey to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his adoptive human family in Smallville, Kansas.

The Man of Steel returns, and this time, it’s under the offbeat, kaleidoscopic gaze of James Gunn. With Superman, the first official entry in the newly minted DCU’s Gods and Monsters chapter, Gunn lets loose with his signature flair, and while it doesn’t quite soar into the stratosphere, it’s still a breezy, above-average watch packed with pop, colour, and a whole lotta heart.

Gunn’s Superman isn’t aiming for dark and brooding. Instead, it’s a bright, candy-coloured comic book romp that feels like a four-colour splash page come to life. Drawing heavily from Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely’s All-Star Superman, Gunn embraces the mythic optimism of the character while layering it with his trademark ensemble-centric style, punchy humour, and an eye for oddball detail. While it gives you the broad strokes of Superman’s origin and classic good vs evil storytelling, this version leans more into Gen-Z sensibilities and kid-friendly charm than gritty pathos.

David Corenswet steps into the red cape as Clark Kent/Superman, and he’s a solid fit. He’s not trying to be the next Henry Cavill, nor is he echoing the operatic weight of Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel. Instead, Corenswet channels a bright-eyed sincerity more reminiscent of Christopher Reeve, with a wholesome dose of the Big Blue Boy Scout energy. He’s got charm, warmth, and a slightly goofy likability that works, especially in his banter with the ever-intrepid Lois Lane, played with wit and spark by Rachel Brosnahan. Their chemistry is playful and grounded, giving this version of Superman a throwback romantic energy that’s endearing, if a little stylised.

Nicolas Hoult’s Lex Luthor is bound to divide fans. His take on the iconic villain is less cold mastermind and more tech-bro megalomaniac — think Elon Musk with a Messiah complex. Some will find it a refreshing update; others might find the smugness grating. Still, Hoult holds his own, giving Superman a worthy, if not exactly terrifying, adversary to clash with.

Where Superman really feels like James Gunn’s sandbox is in the sheer number of characters he introduces. This is less a solo movie and more a launchpad for the DCU. Standouts include Nathan Fillion’s hilariously obnoxious Guy Gardner (his Green Lantern is pure chaos), Edi Gathegi as the brainy and composed Mister Terrific, and Isabela Merced’s fierce Hawkgirl. Cameos from John Cena’s Peacemaker and a surprise Bradley Cooper as Jor-El are sure to get fans buzzing. And yes, Milly Alcock’s Supergirl makes an appearance, teasing a future that looks mighty exciting.

Special mention must go to the Daily Planet newsroom, which feels lifted straight from a comic panel. Wendell Pierce is pitch-perfect as Perry White, Skyler Gisondo’s Jimmy Olsen is full of eager charm, and the ensemble, including Beck Bennett, Mikaela Hoover, and Christopher McDonald, rounds out what could easily carry a spin-off series of its own. Seriously, give these journos their own show!

But let’s be real — the MVP of this film? Krypto the Superdog. Bratty, powerful, and full of doggy attitude, Krypto steals every scene he’s in and might just be the breakout star of the entire movie. If you weren’t already begging for a spin-off, you will be once the credits roll.

The tone of Superman is somewhere between Guardians of the Galaxy and Thor: Love and Thunder. It’s got action, yes, but also plenty of quips, comedic beats, and that wink-at-the-audience tone that’s become a Gunn staple. Some of the humour lands, some doesn’t. The action is solid but not jaw-dropping, with a few standout set pieces balanced by more modest skirmishes. The visual effects and animation are decent, and there’s a definite comic-book logic to how the world functions.

Ultimately, Superman is a film that doesn’t try to out-muscle the past—it sidesteps it completely and carves its own lane. It’s fun, colourful, and a sign of interesting things to come. James Gunn clearly loves these characters, and while not every choice lands, there’s heart here. And with Corenswet flying high, the DCU looks like it will have plenty of room to grow.

Image: Warner Brothers Pictures

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Hitting the button to turn on the Superman lighting activation was one of Auckland’s own local heroes, a super-dog from Blind Low Vision NZ Guide Dogs, inspired by Superman’s sidekick Krypto.

Check out the light up and the adorable doggo below:

This Superman lighting activation honours DC Studios’ entering a bold new era in the DC universe and reflects the ambitions of writer/director/producer and DC Studios’ Co-head James Gunn (Director of Guardians of the Galaxy franchise), taking everyone’s favourite original Super Hero to new heights.

This spectacular lighting show garnered the attention of fans and onlookers all across Auckland, and resulted in a flurry of social media activity, and anticipation for the newest Superman movie, with many going ‘LOOK UP!’ to see Superman flying onto the Sky Tower.

Superman, DC Studios’ first feature film to hit the big screen, is set to soar into cinemas worldwide this July from Warner Bros. Pictures. In his signature style, James Gunn takes on the original superhero in the newly imagined DC universe with a singular blend of epic action, humour and heart, delivering a Superman who’s driven by compassion and an inherent belief in the goodness of humankind.

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 in the dual role of Superman/Clark Kent, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. The film also stars Edi Gathegi, Anthony Carrigan, Nathan Fillion, Isabela Merced, Skyler Gisondo, Sara Sampaio, María Gabriela de Faría, Wendell Pierce, Alan Tudyk, Pruitt Taylor Vince and Neva Howell.

This new Superman begins a bold new age for the DC Universe and DC Studios, and fans are flocking to cinemas to see it, with the excitable super fluffball, Krypto, being a standout for audiences.

Superman is in cinemas NOW!

Image: Warner Brothers Pictures

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Peter Quill/Star-Lord (Peter Quill), still reeling from the loss of Gamora (Zoe Saldaña), must rally the Guardians of the Galaxy on a mission to defend the universe and protect one of their own.

When Guardians of the Galaxy was first announced back in 2012 it was a title that took many by surprise. As the scrappiest group of outsider characters in the Marvel Universe, many had no idea what would occur when the untapped mad genius of James Gunn would be set loose when he finally brought this wise-cracking team to the big screen in 2014. And the rest as they say is history. From that first beloved film to the much-hyped sequel, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2, to appearances in the greater MCU with Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, Thor: Love & Thunder and even their own beloved Christmas special, the Guardians have won the hearts of fans the world over and many would consider this outlaw family to be the core heart of the greater MCU. Now in his final Marvel Studios film, director James Gunn brings out all of his love and passion for these characters and pours it all into the most rockingest comic book film you’ll see all year.

Unleashing nothing but pure creative force, Gunn takes his roster of Peter Quill/Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax the Destroyer, Mantis, Nebula, Kraglin Obfonteri, Cosmo the Spacedog, Groot and Rocket on one crazy final voyage. And this is a picture that will knock you right back into your seat thanks to the level of awesone that is set to MAXX! With Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3 Gunn sets out to tell the final chapter in the mythos of this core Guardians team, and it’s a narrative that’s heavy on action, emotion and heart. And trust me when I say not a dry eye will be left in the theatre by the time the credits begin to roll. Every piece of this film has Gunn’s stamp of love on it, and you truly feel that he’s made this a family experience for the entire cast and crew with his dedication shining through in every moment of footage.

The Guardians of the Galaxy have been through a lot within the MCU, and Volume 3 throws them into a ringer with Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) in the grips of a major depression at having lost the love of his life, Gamora (Zoe Saldaña), who in her new form wants nothing to do with him. But when disaster strikes and one of their own is threatened, Pratt’s Star-Lord has to pull it together and audiences are thrown into the do-or-die mission that moves forward at a rapid pace. Pratt finds his rhythm once again as Quill in this picture, and Gunn tests him with a script that changes up his relationships with key characters such as Saldaña’s Gamora and Karen Gillan’s Nebula. And it’s interesting to see what happens next. Saldaña’s newer Gamora is a real riot to watch on screen as well, and she’s riding roughhouse with this character.

With each new Guardians film, we’ve seen an ever greater cast of characters grow and evolve with their story, and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3 is very much a family movie. Again Gunn throws his characters to the far corners of the universe and the usual bickering and tantrums follow. But these characters truly love one another and whenever they’re together nothing can stop them. Following Gamora’s departure to the Ravagers, its Karen Gillan’s Nebula who steps up in the ranks of the Guardians to provide the maturity that the team needs. Drax and Mantis’ back and fourth puppy love for each other continues, and both Dave Bautista and Pom Klementoff are again utterly hilarious together. Sean Gunn’s Kraglin Obfonteri again fumbles with his heroism, but eventually finds the courage he needs, while Maria Bakalova brings the perfect mix of presence to the ever-loveable Cosmo the Spacedog. And Groot well, we love Groot and Vin Diesel’s personality again shines through.

But all in all, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3 is the story of Rocket. And Gunn takes you on one incredible rollercoaster of emotions as his story plays out. Through flashbacks, we come to learn how Rocket became Rocket, and his is an utterly heart-wrenching origin that leads to plenty of raw emotions. And even though he suffers at the hands of the depraved High Evolutionary, there are also moments of pure love and light as Rocket’s previous family of friends are revealed. While I won’t go into too much detail, I will say that Rocket’s story will touch your heart in the most loving of ways, and Bradley Cooper’s care and performance in bearing Rocket’s soul to audiences is what gives this film its feeling.

The Guardians may have saved the universe countless times, but in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3, they find themselves facing their most personal battle yet. Their foe this time around is a sociopathic, scientific narcissist known as the High Evolutionary and he has a seriously unchecked God complex. With vigour and glee, Chukwudi Iwuji gives a masterful performance as this deranged character, and his untapped ego and sinister mind make him one of the scariest ever villains to grace the realm of the MCU. There’s nothing redeeming or fanciful about the High Evolutionary and he’s one messed-up villain who deserves nothing more than to be taken down.

With each new entry in the Guardians of the Galaxy narrative, James Gunn has worked to elevate the intensity, drama and action of the franchise. And he revs up the decibels with Volume 3. Bold in scope, and jacked to the core, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3 packs in a whole heap of action onto the screen and the audience will have to remember to breathe. This is a film that rushes forward at every moment, and no spare frame is left off of the screen as the Guardians go to work. But while the action will elevate your adrenaline it’s the film’s thematic touchpoints of what it means to be a family where Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3 truly finds its feeling, and you’ll need a good source of tissues because you’ll be on the verge of tears by the time that the credits begin to roll.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3 is James Gunn’s last MCU hurrah and it’s an utterly spectacular vision of the universe’s greatest bunch of misfits. This is an incredibly special film to witness and it’ll carry you away into the forever and beautiful sky.

Image: Walt Disney Pictures

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Watch the first trailer below:

Here’s the official synopsis:

Peter Quill/Star-Lord (Peter Quill), still reeling from the loss of Gamora (Zoe Saldana), must rally the Guardians of the Galaxy on a mission to defend the universe and protect one of their own.

Described by James Gunn as the concluding chapter of his Guardians of the Galaxy saga, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3 looks to be a film of big drama and emotion as the Guardians take on their most personal mission to not only save the universe, but each other as well.

James Gunni throwing everything of himself as a filmmaker into this project, and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3 is ready to take audiences to the furthest uncharted sections of the cosmic side of the MCU yet. And it’s going to be very exciting to see what happens with this film.

Within the world of the MCU, the Guardians of the Galaxy rank as my favourite characters of all time, and I’m extremely excited to see how this movie shapes up and the surprises and action that awaits. While this teaser trailer does move fast, audiences get a closer look at new threats that are posed to the Guardians who include the sociopathic nemesis of the High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji), along with the cosmic force of Adam Warlock (Will Poulter).

The heart and crux of this teaser trailer is also focused around the character of Rocket Raccoon (Bradley Cooper) who has become an integral part of the MCU, and I’m certain his appearance and performance in this picture will result in plenty of tears. Just watching this teaser trailer I can feel the emotion and I have no doubt that its about to be a very heavy watch.

Get ready for one hell of a final ride when Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3 arrives in cinemas next year on May 4, 2023.

Images: Walt Disney Pictures

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Star-Lord, Drax, Rocket, Mantis, and Groot engage in some spirited shenanigans.

Everyone who knows me knows that The Guardians of the Galaxy are my favourite part of the MCU with James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 ranking as my all-time favourite MCU film. Now in a very special presentation for Disney+, all-star creative James Gunn presents fans of the MCU with a very special present in the form of The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special. And it is a riotous bit of holiday fun, delivered as only James Gunn does. Having purchased the off-world hub of Knowhere from The Collector and taken Cosmo The Spacedog into their ranks, The Guardians of the Galaxy are adjusting to a post-blip life, but their leader, Peter Quill/Star-Lord (Chris Pratt) is rather down and despondent due to the loss of Gamora. Seeking a way to cheer him up Drax (Dave Bautista) and Mantis (Pom Klementieff) decide to throw him a Christmas party with a very special gift. And that’s where the fun begins.

Taking inspiration from the legendary Star Wars Holiday Special, James Gunn brings fans a great bit of festive cheer with this very special presentation and it’s completely wild. Dave Bautista’s Drax and Pom Klementoff’s Mantis are the perfect odd couple as they take a road trip to Hollywood and get a crash course on the festive season. And hilarity ensues. With Bautista’s pitch-perfect sense of dry comedy and Klementieff’s over-the-top enthusiasm, things get crazy quickly and we see the two of them hanging out on The Hollywood Walk of Fame, hitting up a nightclub and tracking down a very special present in the form of the legendary Kevin Bacon! It all hums together perfectly, with Gunn’s unique sense of tone and quirks and you’ll be in a fit of happiness with this feature.

Gunn is in his element with The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, and his sense of creativity is on fire with this production. His writing and knowledge of these characters are just incredible and along with the hi-jinks, we also get some great new worldbuilding elements. These include a newly formed Guardians of the Galaxy who are now in control of the celestial world of Knowhere, and the introduction of Cosmo the Spacedog, a frequent background character in all the Guardians films who is now brought to life by Maria Bakalova, and whose psychic powers are a little bit bewildering for Rocket (Bradley Cooper). Groot (Vin Diesel) has now graduated from teenager to young adult and he’s getting bulky fast so watch out there.

But while hi-jinks and science-fiction lore are fun, it’s the presence of the legendary Kevin Bacon, Peter Quill’s childhood hero of the 1980s where The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special finds its heart. Cast as a fictionalised version of himself, Bacon is kidnapped by Drax and Mantis as a ‘gift’ for Quill and after a brief misunderstanding, he’s able to show Quill and the rest of the Guardians what the true meaning of Christmas is really all about. In a wide-eyed musical number, Bacon lets his voice be heard and you’ll certainly feel the love and have that stirring of that Christmas feeling by the end of this presentation.

The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special is an exceptional watch and it’ll give you all the warm fuzzies and make you very happy for Christmas. Got get the family together, put on that sweater and have fun with this very sweet film.

Image: Walt Disney Pictures

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The fan-favourite director has packed the trailer with some fantastic unseen footage, which places greater emphasis on Nebula and Yondu, while teasing the appearance of a strange new alien race led by the gilded Ayesha, who has intentions of purifying the cosmos.

But the coolest part of the trailer arrives in the form of Kurt Russell’s Ego the Living Planet, a literal cosmic entity who has assumed a humanised form, and reveals himself to be Peter Quill’s father.

Starring Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, and Dave Bautista, plus featuring the voices of Vin Diesel and Bradley Cooper, this sequel to 2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy is likely to be Marvel’s biggest release this year.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 arrives in cinemas on April 27 in New Zealand and Australia, and on May 5 in the US and UK.

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Here’s the synopsis:

Following their initial defeat of Ronan and their encounter with an Infinity Stone, the Guardians are struggling to keep their new found family together, while half-human/half-alien adventurer Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) searches for his real father.

If there is one reason why we love this new trailer, it can be summed up in two words: BABY GROOT!

This adorable little space tree steals every single moment in the trailer, mostly in the way he just wants to press the big red death button. Baby Groot’s new appearance and personality also appears to have redefined his relationship with Rocket, with the latter now more of a parental figure than a friend. But don’t let Baby Groot fool you — he can still deal to any enemy no matter their size…as an unlucky Ravager appears to find out.

This trailer is a rock n’roll extravaganza from beginning to end, and is set to the thumping tune of Sweet’s ‘Fox On The Run’, and I’ve got a feeling that this track will also appear on the elusive Awesome Mix Vol.2.

And while the teaser mostly revolves around the Guardians fighting a giant space alien, we also get to see more of the Ravagers, and are introduced to Pom Klementieff’s Mantis, along with her unique powers. But naturally when she levels them at Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), his playboy feelings get the better of him.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 will be released on May 5, 2017.

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A thief, two thugs, an assassin and a maniac: five degenerates who are the last people you’d ever expect to be heroes. When space outlaw Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), steals a mysterious orb he’s in for more trouble than he could have ever thought. Inciting both the rage of his boss, the space pirate Yondu (Michael Rooker), and the radical Kree warlord, Ronan the Accuser (Lee Pace), Quill finds himself with a bounty on his head, and is soon locked up with bounty hunters and best buds Rocket (Bradley Cooper) and Groot (Vin Diesel), the deadly assassin Gamora (Zoe Saldana), and the marauding Drax (Dave Bautista). Forced to work together, this crew of rebels make their escape, and discover that Quill’s orb is something far more dangerous than they could have ever imagined. With nowhere to go, and half of the galaxy hunting them, these ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ decide to make one last desperate stand against Ronan and his evil forces in order to save the galaxy.

Guardians of the Galaxy is simply phenomenal. No mere comic book movie, this is a compelling space opera with some of the most outlandish and cool characters you’ll ever see on film. Director James Gunn was given trust over these outcasts and he delivered. Gunn crafts a story about a rag tag group of loser outcasts, people that nobody in the galaxy cares about, all of whom have faced unbelievable loss and horror, but through extraordinary circumstances come together to not only form a team, but a family, and who for the first time in their lives get the chance to do something greater than themselves. Whereas the Avengers are heroes in and of themselves, the Guardians only work together, separately their nothing more than criminals and outlaws, but together they can be heroes. Gunn’s passion for these characters and their incredible universe is felt in every frame of film, which the audience absorbs through some kind of visual osmosis. If you don’t know who the Guardians are when you enter the cinema, you will by the time you leave, and you’ll be guaranteed to want more.

Leading this group of rebel outlaws is Peter Quill, the self-styled StarLord played with complete awesomeness by Chris Pratt. Quill is an old fashioned swashbuckler, a rebel with no fear of danger, a swinging ladies man, and the all around coolest cat in the galaxy. Quill, who was abducted from Earth by space pirates The Ravagers when he was a child hasn’t had the easiest life. Through grit and determination he has survived in the universe, and is now trying to steal a piece of it for himself. Pratt pulls off Quill’s mercenary swagger with ease, he’s a modern day Jesse James, complete with laser guns, duster jacket, and a very cool helmet, but while Quill’s a guy who can look after himself in a brawl, it’s usually his quick wit and ability to run with the situation that get’s him out of trouble. It’s Pratt who set’s the tone for Guardians of the Galaxy in the first fifteen minutes of the movie, and he doesn’t disappoint. He’s clearly having a ball with this character and it’s awesome to watch.

Then there’s Zoe Saldana as Gamora, a deadly assassin and the adopted daughter of the mad titan Thanos. Like all the Guardians she’s got issues, and is the initial consciousness that leads them on the path to becoming heroes. Let’s make this clear Gamora is no damsel in distress, she’s one kick ass chick who can rough it up with the boys, while kicking their asses in the process. Saldana has serious poise and grace and brings this to Gamora, and there’s a deadly elegance to how she swings her blades. Saldana is great to watch on screen, and she definitely digs Gamora.

Dave Bautista is Drax. There is no way to dispute this. A hulking marauder feared by all for his ferocity and strength, Drax also carries a tremendous pain that fuels his need for vengeance. Stumbling in with the Guardians, he’s ultimately the one who unites them, as he’ll have no one hurting his friends. Bautista, like Pratt and Saldana was again a wild card entry, and went through an exhaustive audition process to obtain this coveted role, but like all those involved it was his clear passion for the character of Drax, and the desire to make him his own that won him the role. With passion comes power, and Bautista knows a lot about this. Anyone who take’s on Drax will invariably get crushed, and he’s one mean fighting machine. Dave Bautista is Drax, and there’s no other way we’d want it.

And finally we come to Groot and Rocket, all around best buds, and the dual heart of the Guardians of the Galaxy. Firstly there’s Groot, the last of his kind, and who has one very memorable catchphrase, which goes something like “I Am Groot”. It’s Vin Diesel who brings this incredible and unique character to life, and he does a terrific job, again you feel his passion for this character onscreen. But you can’t have Groot without his out of control best friend Rocket, a feral, and very angry genetically enhanced raccoon, who while rough around the edges is actually a hero in waiting, and get’s all the best lines and screen time thanks to Bradley Cooper. It’s also these two who create the most heart felt and tear jerking moments of the film, which will have audiences welling up.

Guardians of the Galaxy also has a compelling supportive cast. Firstly there’s Lee Pace as big bad Ronan the Accuser, a fanatical Kree warlord, who swings his mighty hammer with psychotic enjoyment and who has no value for anyone he considers lesser than himself. Pace really lets loose with how terrifying Ronan is and his presence clarifies just how needed the Guardians are. Karen Gillan is pretty frightening as the morbidly jealous Nebula, and Djimon Hounsou is one ferocious hunter as Korath.

One particular standout is Michael Rooker as Yondu Udonta, the blue skinned bandit leader of the Ravagers. Rooker is the only person who I could see as Yondu, and he really delivers as this cantankerous old space pirate, and Quill’s semi adoptive father and role model. Yondu has a particular love/hate relationship with Quill, and his weapon of choice: a whistle-controlled arrow creates a menacing silence whenever he levels it at anyone. He’s one badass character. There’s also Benicio del Toro as Taneleer Tivan, also known as the Collector, who has an amazing, yet creepy alien zoo, and who with a thoroughly crazed appearance and slightly morbid intentions is one to watch out for. And finally in a very cool cameo appearance, which will define the Marvel Universe, Josh Brolin makes his entrance as Thanos. Nuff said.

Guardians of the Galaxy is an emotionally dramatic, action-packed, extremely funny full on film, complete with its own kick ass soundtrack. It’s so much fun, and while some might see it as a mere Marvel superhero movie, it’s actually something more, something bigger than it was originally intended to be, just like its five main characters. If you want a good time out then head to the movies, strap yourself in, and prepare for one awesome trip across the galaxy.

Image source: Walt Disney Pictures.

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