Superman & Lois has done something amazing. In just four seasons, the show has changed the story of an American icon, a character who has been part of pop culture for nearly 90 years.
The series not only creates something fresh but also fits well into the full Superman story. Superman & Lois features an older Clark Kent (played by Tyler Hoechlin), who is married to Lois Lane (played by Elizabeth Tulloch). The couple and their two teenage sons move to Smallville.
The first three seasons of Superman & Lois mainly focus on Clark coming back to his hometown after the passing of his mother. As the series continues, Clark’s influence on Smallville becomes clearer. His sons have to adjust to their new lives and to the fact that their father is the world’s strongest hero.
After the events of Season 3, Clark tries to protect his family from Lex Luthor (played by Michael Cudlitz) and must battle a monster named Doomsday.
Season 4, which will also be the final season of the series, adapts one of Superman’s most famous stories. The first three episodes provided for review are dark and emotional but remind us why we loved this series in the first place.
What Is ‘Superman & Lois’ Season 4 About?
“The Death of Superman” is one of Superman’s most well-known comic book stories. It shows him fighting the dangerous monster Doomsday. While the comic may be popular, it is not very deep.
The story mainly focuses on the shock of Superman’s death. Thankfully, the showrunners remembered that the best stories in Superman & Lois come from character development.
Hoechlin and Tulloch’s acting as DC’s top couple has always felt real. Some might say Hoechlin’s Clark Kent is the best live-action version since Christopher Reeve wore the cape.
The show’s Clark is strong, but he is also imperfect. He wants to do what is right for his family and friends. This season asks, “What happens if Superman is gone?” He is not just a symbol of hope for his family; the entire world sees him as a guiding light.
When that moment comes, the show changes. Jon (played by Michael Bishop) and Jordan (played by Alex Garfin) mourn their father’s death. Meanwhile, Lois, who is still fighting cancer, tries to keep the family together. Writing Superman out of the story can be hard, especially since Hoechlin’s dynamic portrayal is such a key part of the show.
However, the cast can still carry on without him. Tulloch’s Lois takes center stage. As the title suggests, the series is about Lois as much as it is about Superman. Tulloch’s performance makes Lois much more than the typical damsel in distress.
She is a mother, a journalist, and the one who helps the family move forward, even while she is struggling. Tulloch’s careful portrayal of Lois makes this story more engaging because we believe in her and Clark’s love.
Still from Superman & Lois (Credit: CW)
The CW’s dramatic storytelling works well here because we have spent so much time with the Kent family. Breaking them down to their lowest point is very effective. Each family member mourns differently, and the series does a great job showing their pain and how they choose to respond.
Jordan feels the pressure of his father’s legacy since he is the only one strong enough to fight Doomsday. Jon feels powerless and struggles with that feeling.
‘Superman & Lois’ Tackles a More Intimate Story in Season 4
One of the show’s biggest strengths is its extended cast. Unfortunately, many supporting actors did not return for the final season. Still, the showrunners used the actors available, so Dylan Walsh’s General Lane and Emmanuelle Chriqui’s Lana Lang are here to fill some gaps left by other characters.
It is a noticeable problem that many cast members suddenly disappear, but the show manages to adapt to the situation. Clark’s death affects those closest to him, making the story more personal. It is fascinating to see such a big story turned into an intimate one about losing a loved one.
We also see hints of the “Reign of the Supermen” comic storyline, as John Henry (played by Wolé Parks) and Natalie Irons (played by Tayler Buck) try to fill the space left by Superman. Flashbacks in this season are used excellently, showing Clark’s relationships with his family and the remaining cast members.
These flashbacks highlight how he influenced their lives for the better. This also helps keep Hoechlin’s presence felt throughout the season.
Superman & Lois Season 4 is off to a great start. It can be a little sad, but that is expected with the story it is telling. The final season takes major events from DC and shifts them into a much more personal story about loss. The show leans into its strengths.
Although Doomsday’s design is not the best and this version of Lex Luthor differs from what fans expect, these issues do not overshadow the show’s strong return. We can only hope the series continues to surprise us when Kal-El eventually wakes up.
Still from Superman & Lois (Credit: CW)
Superman & Lois Season 4 shows the emotional journey of the Kent family after Clark Kent’s death while battling Doomsday. The season adapts “The Death of Superman,” emphasizing character-driven storytelling. Lois Lane, portrayed by Elizabeth Tulloch, takes center stage, showcasing her strength as a mother and journalist.
As the family copes with grief, flashbacks highlight Clark’s impact on their lives. Despite some cast changes, the season promises a powerful and intimate story about loss, love, and legacy.
Superman & Lois Season 4 premieres on October 7 at 8 PM EST on The CW.
People who grew up in the ’80s, ’90s, and early 2000s know well the family adventure films from that time. These movies usually show a group of young teens going on exciting adventures.
Classic examples include The Goonies, The Monster Squad, and The Sandlot. Some of these films influenced the new movie in this genre, Monster Summer.
Monster Summer is the second movie directed by David Henrie, who is known for his role in Wizards of Waverly Place. This film aims to bring back the feel of a ’90s family movie. It includes several stars from the 1990s, such as Lorraine Bracco from Goodfellas, Patrick Renna from The Sandlot, and Mel Gibson from Lethal Weapon.
The promise of some good ’90s nostalgia should attract viewers, but sadly, Monster Summer tells a story we have heard many times before.
What is Monster Summer About?
Monster Summer takes place in 1997 in Martha’s Vineyard, California. It follows a young baseball player named Noah (played by Mason Thames) who dreams of being a journalist like his late father.
He wants to enjoy a fun summer with his friends, but everything changes when some kids go missing and return with blank personalities, as if their souls are gone. Noah wants to find out what is happening, so he gets help from his creepy neighbor, Gene “Old Man” Carruthers (played by Mel Gibson), to solve the mystery.
Most of Monster Summer focuses on Noah and Gene building a father-son bond, which is one of the film’s strongest parts. Mason Thames shows he is a rising star in the horror genre after his strong performance in The Black Phone.
His acting here proves he can also lead lighter adventures, which is good news for fans wanting to see him in the live-action How to Train Your Dragon reboot. Mel Gibson does a decent job as Gene, even though his character’s emotional moments feel simple. However, Gene’s sad backstory adds a refreshing touch and is one of the few interesting elements in the film.
The friendship between Noah and Gene is good, but it feels like there is too much of it. A lot of the second act shows Noah and Gene arguing with each other while not achieving much.
At the same time, Noah’s friends ignore him even when he has real evidence that a monster is haunting Martha’s Vineyard. Thankfully, the third act picks up with some entertaining monster action and even a few effective jump scares.
Monster Summer Doesn’t Use Its Supporting Cast Well
Mason Thames is a great main character, and Mel Gibson fits well as a grumpy man with a good heart. Patrick Renna also has some fun scenes that nod to his role as Ham in The Sandlot. However, the rest of the supporting cast does not shine.
The marketing suggests that Noah’s friends, Sammy (Abby James Witherspoon) and Eugene (Julian Lerner), play big roles, but they mostly just make fun of Noah’s ideas about witches until the end of the film.
Bigger stars like Lorraine Bracco and Kevin James do not fare well either. Bracco’s role serves almost no purpose in the story, making her talents feel wasted.
Kevin James plays a typical skeptic who talks with an unconvincing Southern accent. In general, the supporting cast in Monster Summer seems to only exist as suspects or distractions rather than fully developed characters.
The Writing of Monster Summer Is Very Predictable
Mel Gibson’s character, “Old Man Carruthers,” is just one example of the film’s biggest issue: the writing. This name is one of the most boring for an old man. The generic nature of Monster Summer’s script is obvious.
It mixes clichés and familiar tropes from many inspiring films, but the result feels very unoriginal. Everything from the plot to the dialogue feels overly familiar, which can be frustrating.
Even though Monster Summer tries to copy the structure and elements of movies like The Goonies, it lacks what made those films timeless.
Those older movies had a gritty feel, and their characters had realistic and relatable writing. Even modern films like The Black Phone and Stranger Things know how to add depth to nostalgic settings with unique characters and strong stories. However, Monster Summer gets lost in being too generic.
Stranger Things shows that a throwback monster story like Monster Summer can work, but it needs enough originality to stand out. Sadly, Monster Summer does not have this, making it a missed chance to show a beloved time in filmmaking. While the films it copies are now classics. WhileMonster Summer will likely be forgotten by audiences in a year.
Monster Summer is a family adventure film set in 1997 in Martha’s Vineyard, California. It follows Noah, a young baseball player who dreams of becoming a journalist like his late father. His summer plans change when kids in the area go missing and return with blank personalities.
Still from Monster Summer (Credit: Pastime Pictures)
Determined to uncover the mystery, Noah seeks help from his creepy neighbor, Gene “Old Man” Carruthers, played by Mel Gibson. While the film showcases a developing father-son bond between Noah and Gene, it suffers from a predictable story and underutilized supporting characters, including Lorraine Bracco and Kevin James.
The writing feels generic, lacking the depth and grit that made classic ’90s films memorable. Although the movie has some nostalgic elements and entertaining monster action in the third act, it ultimately falls short of its potential. Monster Summer may not stand out among the timeless classics it tries to emulate.
