Revisiting Brightburn (2019)

I reviewed Brightburn when it first came out. You can check that out here. As I mentioned the other day, because of Superman’s release I wanted to revisit it. Beyond the obvious plot connections, Brightburn was produced by James Gunn. Also two of his brothers (Brian and Mark) wrote the script. 

Art by Vile Consumption

While the world doesn't need a Superman that's not full of hope, I still think this is a solid flick. The gore and violence is honestly used less than I expected, but when it does happen it's intense. There are some great performances. 

David Denman and Elizbeth banks both shine and Brandon's parents. They each have their own dynamic with him and it feels organic. I already really enjoyed Matt Jones and Meredith Hagner as Brandon's aunt and uncle. Jackson Dunn is fantastic as Brandon. He feels like a normal kid in the beginning, but then starts becoming more cold and manipulative. 

Dunn has started that Brandon is a normal kid before he starts being influenced/brainwashed by his ship. That's always been my take on it and honestly my only gripe with the movie. I wanted his heel turn to be more organic, but it seems that once he starts hearing from his ship he becomes a monster posing a kid. There is a slight transition, but it doesn't take long for him to go from breaking an arm to downing a plane full of people. Doing some research I've found some alternate theories though that have caused me to reconsider things. It is possible that Brandon has always just been a sociopath and pretended to be a normal kid just to get his way. He is a genius and early on he talks about a type of parasitic wasp that uses other species to provide for their young. Maybe that's what Brandon's species does. Not sure if I totally buy it, because he seems genuinely surprised at parts in the film. Still it's definitely an interesting thought.

While Brightburn 2 never happened (and most likely never will), the end teased more evil counterparts to DC's heroes. Michael Rooker plays a conspiracy theorist named Big T that mentions a "half man, half- sea creature" causing terror in the oceans and a supernatural woman choking victims with a rope. There's also a costumed character that looks like Crimson Bolt, a character played by Rainn Wilson in James Gunn's movie Super. 

Finally I wanted to mention the movie is very reminiscent of "Bump in the Night," a story from DC House of Horror (2017). In that story the Kents encounter an evil young Kal-El who kills them and (is implied) to go on to destroy humanity and take over Earth.

And now for some game material. Here are Brightburn stats for Evolved and other DCC games.

Brightburn: Init +8; Atk +10 slam (2d6+6) or +8 heat vision (1d8, range 120'); Crit V/2d20; AC 16; HD 8d12+48; HP 101; Mov. 60', fly 90'; Act 2d20; SP super strength, super durability, super speed, super intelligence, telekinesis, heat vision, technopathy, metal weakness; SV Ref +10; Fort +10; Will +6; Path PoV+1d

Telekinesis: At will, Brightburn can manipulate up to 4 objects within 100', each weighing no more than 100 pounds. 

Technopathy: At will, Brightburn can cause electronics within 100' to malfunction. This effects equipment, but doesn't effect gadgets.

Metal weakness: Brightburn's only known weakness is from the metal from his spaceship. Successful attacks by items of this substance are automatically considered critical hits.