Smallville

Summary

DC’sSmallvillewas a freehanded hit back when it premiered in 2002 , and even after 23 age of other superhero media it agree up amazingly well . There are some aspects of the show that experience a little go out now , particularly the exceptional effects , but it does n’t really take out from what makesSmallvilleenjoyable . When compared to more recent DC project like theDCEUand the Arrowverse , Smallvillestill stands out as having one of the best adaptations of Superman . Part of what helps it obligate up is its singularity compared to other superhero media .

Smallvillegave viewers a looking at at Clark Kent ’s life in a elbow room they had n’t seen before . It also play around with some of the character ’s established relationships and storylines to createits own version of Superman . Even though Clark was n’t actually Superman for a good chunk of the show , Smallvillenever strayed away from the elements of superhero stories that make them fun to observe . Smallville’sversion of Superman even prove up as recently in2019 for an Arrowverse crossover , showing that this version has stayed relevant .

Michael Rosenbaum ’s nuanced performance as Lex Luthor on Smallville over 10 seasons is unvanquished so far in live - action where the villain ’s have-to doe with .

Smallville Poster

10Smallville Explores A Unique Period Of Clark Kent’s Life

Most Superman adaptations will cover a small amount of Clark ’s early years , but the focus is largely on his living as an adult . Smallvilleremains the most comprehensive look at Superman ’s teenager yearsand Clark ’s journey to finally becoming the Man of Steel . Because the show concentre on such a transitional period in Clark ’s life , it feed a safe horse sense of the big events that determine who he is when he at last dons the ness . The show also explore more of Clark ’s relationships with normal people , not just other superheroes .

9Smallville’s Lex Luthor Is One Of The Best Live Action Versions

Lex Luthor is a slippery villain to get right . He ’s the eccentric of evilness that the audience has to infer is bad , but the characters in the show initially believe him . Michael Rosenbaum did a majuscule job get Lex ’s unlike position . His charisma in the role also made watcher well-chosen to see Lex on screen , even when he was doing bad things . The show also take its time to show why Lex Luthor would grow up to become a supervillain , allow for him to be a more complex character than just the guy who hates Superman .

8Clark Is Much More Human Than Other Superman Adaptations

A lot of Superman adaption tend to focus more on the " super " than the " human beings . " The DCEU , in finical , liked to ensnare Superman as a idol with aspect of him being praised . In contrast , Smallvilleismuch more about who Clark Kent is as a person . It bear witness that Clark did n’t even know he was n’t from Earth until he started high school day , and he acts like a distinctive teen most of the time . In a way , this makes Superman more heroic because Clark has many of the same flaws and temptations as anyone else but still chooses to do trade good .

7Smallville Shows How The Kents Shaped Superman’s Ideals

Part of making Clark more human inSmallvillewas showing his kinship with his parent . Jonathan and Martha Kent are very supportive of Clark ’s heroic deeds , even though it worries them . They also insure that Clark is creditworthy , like ensuring he controls his lastingness on the football field . Smallvilleshows how Clark could have move around out a scoundrel if he grew up with a rigorous domineering father like Lex Luthor or if the Kents were n’t there to serve guide his development positively . Without them , there would be no Superman .

6Clark And Lex’s Relationship Adds Depth To Their Eventual Rivalry

Part ofSmallville ’s lasting appeal is the family relationship between Clark Kent and Lex Luthor . Instead of bulge out the two off as competition , the show begin with them evolve a friendly relationship . By showing the two getting along , Smallvillegives TV audience a clear understanding of how Clark and Lex are similarwhile also hinting at the difference that will eventually push back them asunder . It ’s no arcanum to anyone who knows Superman lore that Lex will twist out to be his greatest rival , so that stress adds a great deal to any scene between the two .

5Smallville’s Practical Stunts Still Look Great

Although a lot ofSmallville ’s digital impression have aged poorly , its virtual effect and stunts still look very good 23 age later . A lot of these effects would in all likelihood be amply CGI now , so it ’s cool to see a superhero show that still use real stunts . One of the stand - out moment comes in the show ’s first instalment when Lex Luthor drive his car into Clark Kent and off a bridge . The show also employs real fervour in some scenes or allows viewers to use their imaging when Clark does something like lodge his mitt in a Mrs. Henry Wood chipper .

4Smallville Knew A Good Superman Was More Than His Costume

Smallvillemay have taken its metre actuallyputting Clark in a Superman costume , but that does n’t signify Superman was n’t on - sieve before then . From the very first episode , Clark demonstrates the self-sacrifice and heroism that makes Supermansuch an appealing poor boy . The show infer that it did n’t involve to have Superman look just like he does in the cartoon strip because the important traits of the hero are the ways he acts .

3Smallville Told Its Own Stories So They Haven’t Been Remade

Superhero remaking can make certain stories lead off to find stale . In the yr sinceSmallvillecame out , audiences have watched two unlike wanderer - hands press three unlike Green Goblins and a third Spider - Man crusade the same Green Goblin as the first one . Smallville , on the other hand , hada lot of characters and report that were unique to the show . BecauseSmallvillehas the only versions of these account , the show can easy be rewatched without feeling like it ’s too alike to more recent Superman movies or shows .

2Tom Welling Nailed Superman’s Earnest Goodness

The most important thingSmallvilleneeded to get right was its depiction of Clark Kent . fortunately , Tom Welling knocked it out of the parking lot with his portrayal of a young Ubermensch . Welling did n’t just look the part , but he captured what makes Clark Kent such an appealing character . Welling sell Clark ’s forgivingness and his more shy role , which would help keep his identity arcanum when he finally became Superman . Most significantly , Welling made it clear just how much Clark cared about doing the ripe thing .

1Smallville Is DC’s Only Teen Drama

DC is n’t afraid to try out with its show , something thatDoom Patrolmade very cleared . However , DC still has n’t made another show that is as much a straight teenaged drama asSmallville . WhileTitansfocuses on young characters , it is n’t really a typical teen dramatic play in the same fashion . This givesSmallvillea crossover appeal that not too many superhero shows have .

Kristin Kreuk As Lana Lang Tom Welling As Clark Kent And Michael Rosenbaum As Lex Luthor Standing In A Cornfield In Smallville

Smallville Lex Luthor and Clark Kent outfits

Smallville Forever episode with Clark meeting Lana at Smallville High and she is dressed in full graduation clothing

Clark Kent gets intimidated by his football coach

Jonathan and Martha Kent watch proudly in Smallville

Lex drives his car into Clark Kent and off a bridge in Smallville

Tom Welling flying as Superman in Smallville

Ensemble shot of the Smallville cast

Clark Kent holding a stack of books while talking with with Chloe and Pete in Smallville

Smallville

DC Extended Universe