[Review] Superman: Man of Tomorrow(2020) {6.5/10}

Directed by Chris Palmer with a screenplay by Tim Sheridan, the film stars Darren Criss (Superman), Alexandra Daddario (Lois Lane), Zachary Quinto (Lex Luthor), Ryan Hurst (Lobo), Ike Amadi (Martian Manhunter) and Brett Dalton (Parasite).

The plot revolves around Clark Kent (Darren Criss) who is working as an intern for the Daily Planet. Lex Luthor (Zachary Quinto) is publicly busted by Lois Lane (Alexandra Daddario) for blatant corruption. The rocket Luthor had heralded in the press conference veers out of control before Clark uses his powers to reroute the missile. In Smallville, Mrs. Kent gives Clark the iconic superhero costume and Mr. Kent warns Clark about the evil lurking in mankind. Lobo (Ryan Hurst), a bounty hunter hunts for the Superman as Kryptonians fetch a high price on the black market of outer space. In a pitched battle, Superman is rescued by Martian Manhunter (Ike Amadi ) but a super villain known as 'Parasite'(Brett Dalton) is created unwittingly in the process. Superman must team up with Martian Manhunter and Lobo to stop Parasite from destroying the world.

Superman: Man of Tomorrow focuses on the exploration of the early days of Clark Kent's arrival in Metropolis from Smallville. It mostly adheres to familiar superhero themes of the blurred lines between good and evil and how good can create evil, etc. The cynicism of characters like Lois Lane and Lobo gets tiresome. There were some really good ideas that didn't pay off because Superman does not get to solve his own problems. The story is not well written and is filled with plot holes and cringe worthy moments but manages to hit some personal themes nicely. The victory of Kal - El feels empty. The animation is similar Saturday morning cartoons of 1970s and 80s which can be distracting but is not a major deal-breaker considering it's budget. The 1990s Superman Animated series had better quality animation and a better Superman - Parasite story. It has some large scale action but those are also somehow flat. The new story of the Man of Steel is not great but is not bad also. It is a good attempt to capture the classic, lighter version of Superman but fails to deliver the story that it was going for.

Superman: Man of Tomorrow is now available on Digital and Blu ray.