Gunn | 2025 | USA

Second watch, as (likely unnecessary) prep for Supergirl. Half-hearted prep at that, as I found this aggressively average upon first viewing. And so I was rather delighted to have enjoyed it *much* more this time, appreciating everything I liked the first time all over again even as subtler elements clicked with me.

What Gunn gets right is the balance. He doesn’t go over the top with the comedy, but instead uses it to underscore character moments that are revealing rather than trite. And this is important, because this movie is really about everybody *but* Superman.

There are some really interesting formal touches here, most of which relate to the photography. The camera moves as in a third person shooter video game, which has the effect of making your perspective the perspective (rather than merely looking cool). Maybe that’s the real punk rock.

Streamed at home.