hellraiser7

This is another of my favorite episodes of the show, this is also one of my favorite episodes in the summertime as it's of course on vacation. This episode also predates the film "Nobody 2" as the premise in the movie and this episode are almost uncannily similar.

This is focused on Aquaman going on vacation with his family, I know it's almost kind of absurd and surreal let alone seeing Arthur/Aquaman, Mera, and Aqualad all driving in a Winnebago together. But I like this because it shows how human they are, because even hero/superhero needs to get away and have some R and R occasionally.

Unfortunately, we see this is one getaway Aquaman wants to get away from as it's been one tourist trap after another giving him chronic boredom, yeah Aquaman we all feel your pain, I hate tourist traps too. However, Aquaman's vacation has only just begun because the DC verse is anything but restful.

The whole episode is almost like a fighting video game like the "King of Fighters" series as we see Aquaman is just intersecting with other superheroes from the DC verse to fight off one supervillain after another, while still trying to take his family on vacation.

One part of the episode that really made me snicker is when Aquaman takes the Winnebago to Gotham City which we know is the last place you'd want to have a vacation in, though in his case it's the best place to.

Despite being the most dangerous vacation ever, look at it this way it's not boring and turns out to be the best family vacation ever.

Rating: 4 stars.

This is one of my favorite episodes of the show, this one this time is focused on the main man himself "Superman". You could say this episode is what you'd call your red kryptonite episode, but I love those kinds of episodes as it plays with the concept of the hero/superhero just suddenly flipping to the other side of the coin.

It's just fun and blackly funny just seeing Superman in this show going on a super rampage as we see him being complete, well you can easily think of what cuss word to insert. We see him do things from tying up traffic literally, pulling some jerk moves on Lois and Jimmy. But the one that was darkly funny was seeing Superman shaking the city of Kandor like a snow globe, yeah not nice.

But like in all the red kryptonite episodes it's suspenseful as we're afraid things are going to escalate into dangerous territory. And they very much do as we see Superman take over Metropolis and say something I'd never thought I would hear from him in a million years; most likely Zod.

This is all of course one big buildup to the showdown which doesn't disappoint and of course it's pretty much a big reference to the graphic novel "The Dark Knight Returns" as we see Batman in the armor. What I also like about the showdown that's different is seeing Krypto in the fight, so this is sort of a two-on-one match which I thought was cool.

Really like how the fight is conducted as we see both sides are not holding back pulling of moves and power moves on each other. My favorite was seeing Krypto pulling off a "Dragon Ball Z" move as he was flying toward Superman zeroing in like a heat seeking missile.

Who will triumph in this showdown of the titans, you'll just have to wait and see.

Rating: 4 stars.

As I said before the "Superman" franchise will never die because we continue to make and build on a mythology that over the years continues to grow, this film shows that even now over the years it's gaining altitude with no signs of slowing down yet.

This film is not just one of my all-time favorite films in general, favorite comic book movies, but I dare say my favorite "Superman" film (at least for now anyway.).

Being a long time "Superman" fan, I felt like this is the "Superman" film I've been waiting for a long time for and glad to say it, it was worth the wait (for me anyway). This film not just helped in restarting the franchise on the silver screen again, but also it finally started the DCCU 2 (DC Cinematic Universe 2) in full flight, hopefully they can keep up the speed and altitude.

There was DCCU 1, which I like but unfortunately for me and probably a lot of other fans it was a very rough ride. There were more misses than hits but worst of all a lot of missed and mishandled opportunities. Despite finally being over with this verse, I and plenty of others just can't help but think what more it could have been.

But enough about the past, now we get down to business. This film has so much, in just so much time but it all balances out and flows or should I say flies at a pace and altitude that is just right. The film is somewhat lighthearted but not entirely as it has a good balance where it's fun and funny, but it knows when to stop.

Really like the look and style of the film, we not just have the current age of "Superman" but also there is some of the silver and bronze ages of "Superman" and "DC Comics" in general.

This I think is a beautiful mixture because it makes the world of "Superman" broader in scope and depth, showing this is a world where anything to everything you've ever dreamt of is possible. And from everything we see and all the characters we encounter, it shows that there are plenty of undiscovered countries to venture to.

One of the highlights for me are certain set pieces, from the fortress of solitude and seeing a little of its interior. But one I really loved seeing was "The Halls of Justice" which of course any (mainly veteran) DC fan knows that's the Justice League's headquarters from the 70s animated show "Super friends"; seeing that for me and every DC fan was just a dream come true.

Action is solid it's the kind you'd expect from a lot of "Superman" and DC films, along with the music really like the new rendition of the classic theme song which just shows how timeless that song and the franchise truly is.

The film has a solid plot; it's nothing special as it's the kind that you'd expect from a lot of "Superman" and even DC comic stories in general. And there is solid intrigue which gives the film a bit of a suspense thriller/mystery element, we already know Luthor is up to no good (it is Luthor after all, has he ever) but we don't know the full scope of his plan or entirely his end game.

Which is why watching the film were constantly hoping Superman along with members of the Justice League (or should I say Justice Gang as they haven't gotten there with the name yet) will catch up and fill in the blanks for us.

However, despite the plotline and its development, the film isn't too concerned about it but really in the characters and what they all do throughout the film. I really like the use of supporting characters, you get a good feel for all of them, and they each have the right amount of screen time and are all used at the right times.

Balencing multiple characters is never an easy task but it's not that hard either, if each of the characters serves a function and fit into the story; like an well maintained automotive and the multiple parts it needs to be up to speed.

I'll talk briefly about some of them, I know there's plenty of others but there's no room. Two of my favorites in the Justice League (or should I say gang as a title hasn't been established yet.)

Mister Terrific: This is the character's first live action appearance on the silver screen, his first was of course on the small screen, in the "Arrowverse". I really like that T wrestler facemask look, which is cool as I'm a fan of wrestling. His character is great; he's sort of the Vulcan of the group as he is a very heady person. Despite not having a ray of emotion, he's always doing what is right as it's the logical thing to do in chaotic situations.

He could also be like who Q is to "James Bond" as he's the one that invents the vehicles along with the tech for himself and the group. Of course, his trademark are the T spheres which you can say are like the spheres from the "Phantasm" films, only they work to the users benefit. Just seeing how they work I'd love to have at least one of my own.

Green Lantern: Really love that they have one of the other Lanterns for the first time on the silver screen. And the Lantern is Guy Gardner which is cool as he's a fan favorite in the franchise. And it's played well by one of my favorite actors Nathan Fillon which I felt just fit him like a glove.

Really like the mannerism on him as it reminds me of Bruce Campbell as he's a wisecracker, he's cool but at the same time he's kind of a dork, but all the same he's willing to do what's right and get the job done.

Like the effects with one of my favorite fictional weapons the Lantern ring as it just makes whatever you think of, anyway the effects are CGI but it rendered better as there is fluidity to the green light but also looks and feels like there is actual weight to it.

But of course, let's get two of our main players.

Lex Luthor: Nicolas Hoult I thought was very good in the role and a good fit, though he probably number three in my book for now, Michel Rosenbaum from "Smallville" is still number one in my book. Really like this version as we see he's extremely petty which makes sense as Lex can be sometimes depending on which version.

But here we see him as someone that has clearly blown a circuit, or certain circuits aren't firing right as he's clearly borderline insane and a full-blown egomaniac even narcissist; his company is called "Lex Corp" in big letters after all.

He's completely ruthless and without conscious in achieving whatever sick goals he's set himself; but we know even if he does accomplish those goals he'll still lose because everybody loses.

Clark Kent/Superman: David Coenswet I thought was excellent in the role as it just fits him like a glove, he's probably my number three in my book; number one Christopher Reeve, two Tyler Hoechlin.

He not just physically looked like the comic book character but also the charisma and characterization of Superman, it feels like the character from the comic pages has come to life. But I really like other than his superpowers, his great sense of ethos as well as his human heart which are what truly surpass his powers and to me what makes Clark/Superman great.

You really get a good feel for Clark/Superman as a person, really liked some of those scenes where he's not in the superhero business. Like one where Lois is in Clark/Smallville's room and she sees a poster and it's one of her old punk rock band, I just thought that was sweet as it shows how Clark not just crushed on her when he was a teenager but also was in love with her a long time ago.

As well as one conversation scene with his Earth father Johnathan Kent which was I thought touching, which really shows how Johnathan succeeded in being Clark's father and giving him the live he needed.

I really like how throughout the film there is this slight character study and contrast parallel between both Clark/Superman and Lex.

Lex is sort of like with most classic mortal figures in Greek Myth as like them has the dark desire to equal or even surpass godhood.

Lex goes so far as to scoff and claim certain historical scientists and figures before him are beneath him because they never came as far and fast as himself.

He hates Superman not so much because he's superpowered and can accomplish certain feets he logically and physically can't but because of the fact he's not taking the same path as himself. But as we see this is his fatal weakness as he's not truthful to himself; he is too egotistical, vain and prideful he is unable to admit not just when he's wrong but even his own mortality.

Clark/Superman despite what he can do never admits to Godhood because like in Greek Myth he is not. He is what you would call a demigod much like with Hercules, all the abilities he has are just tools to defend himself and others that need it. He never asks for anything back because the fact that lives were saved and their kindness in return is reward enough and simply moves on to the next task at hand.

Really love this one monologue he gives Lex which to me is one of my personal favorite monologues because it not just showed the soul of Superman but also just every hero/superhero in general as their all human, people with lives, wants and needs like anyone else, and what makes them truly heroic and accomplish great feets is the fact they admit and never forgotten this truth.

As Harry Callihan once said, "Man's got to know his limitations." That is true with Clark/Superman which is what makes him not just a superhero but a man.

Rating: 4 stars.