Superman (2025)

​“Superman” stars David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult, Edi Gathegi, Anthony Carrigan, Nathan Fillion, and Isabela Merced.  Released on July 11, 2025, the film has Superman attempting to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage.

The film is written and directed by James Gunn, who also directed films such as “Slither”, “Super”, “Guardians of the Galaxy”, and “The Suicide Squad”.  It is the first film in the DC Universe and the second reboot of the Superman film series.  Since his emergence in the realm of pop culture, Superman has undergone numerous interpretations, fighting for truth, justice, and the American way while inspiring countless generations.  Through comic books, television series, and films, this half-human, half-alien superhero has consistently served as a beacon of hope and resilience, with each narrative reflecting his journey through heroism, humanity, and responsibility.  For many who grew up watching movies, Superman is most vividly remembered through the Christopher Reeve films in the late 70s and 80s.  However, after those classic adaptations, Hollywood has struggled to meet those expectations with recent attempts to revive the character for modern audiences.  Bryan Singer’s “Superman Returns” was well-received critically but didn’t perform at the box office as well as Warner Bros. had hoped it would.  Additionally, Zack Snyder’s take on the Man of Steel left a dissatisfied taste in people’s mouths due to its darker tone and creative choices, resulting in Henry Cavill’s run as Superman and the studio’s DC Extended Universe becoming disappointingly short-lived.  But, at the very least, Zack Snyder’s Superman lore has retained a dedicated fanbase, for better or worse…mainly the latter.

Because of this, the DC Cinematic Universe has hit the reset button under new management, aiming to restore the audience’s faith in the brand’s cinematic future.  This ambitious role of leading the newly reformed universe, now known as the “DC Universe,” now falls into the hands of filmmaker and comic book aficionado James Gunn, who previously directed “The Suicide Squad” for the DCEU.  Despite that film’s underwhelming performance, Warner Bros. seemed to be quite confident in Gunn’s vibrant, soundtrack-driven, and heartfelt vision for the studio to have him recreate the DC lore in his own image.  Alongside producer Peter Safran, James Gunn already kickstarted the DCU’s first chapter, titled “Gods and Monsters”, with the adult animated series “Creature Commandoes”, which is basically “Guardians of the Galaxy” with monsters.  Admittedly, it was another delightfully entertaining and surprisingly emotional addition to the DC animation lineup.  However, the true test of Gunn’s ability to lead the DC Universe is his big-screen interpretation of one of the brand’s iconic characters: Superman.  Was it able to inspire hope for the restructured universe as Superman traditionally does, or did it consign the Man of Steel to yet another cinematic retirement?  Let’s find out.

The story follows Clark Kent (Corenswet), a journalist at the Daily Planet in Metropolis.  He conceals his true identity as an alien who was raised by his human family in Smallville, Kansas, after escaping the destruction of his home planet, Krypton.  Under his superhero persona, Superman, Kent dedicates himself to protecting humanity while maintaining his recent relationship with his colleague, Lois Lane (Brosnahan).  As he grapples with his dual existence, Clark embarks on a personal quest to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage when the truth about his parents’ intentions comes to light.  However, his endeavor leads him to a direct clash with business CEO Lex Luthor (Hoult), whose animosity towards Superman and desire for recognition pose a significant threat to the citizens of Metropolis.  Alongside the Justice Gang, Clark must embrace his identity to subdue Luthor’s wrath and rekindle hope in a world void of kindness.

There’s no denying that the excitement for James Gunn’s “Superman” is through the roof.  When it comes to the live-action cinematic universe, the DC brand has struggled to reach the same heights as the Marvel Cinematic Universe, primarily due to the DCEU lacking a clear direction.  However, with the MCU now grappling with its own creative issues, DC had an opportunity to turn this situation to its advantage, especially with James Gunn in charge of the cinematic universe.  Personally, I was eager to watch this new interpretation, as I grew up with Superman alongside other DC heroes like Batman and Wonder Woman.  Additionally, I continue to have a fondness for James Gunn’s vibrant, offbeat style and soundtrack choices, especially regarding his takes on the Marvel and DC lore, including “Guardians of the Galaxy”.  While his work on “Suicide Squad” and “Creature Commandos” may have reminded me of “Guardians of the Galaxy” in terms of narrative choices, I found both of them enjoyable for different reasons.  Of course, “Creature Commandos” wasn’t enough for me to declare James Gunn the actual answer to DC’s cinematic problems, mainly because one project isn’t enough to receive my full judgment of its new game plan.

One thing to know about this iteration of “Superman” is that this is another superhero movie that ditches the origin story treatment, much like the MCU’s take on “Spider-Man” and the upcoming “Fantastic Four” reboot.  We’ve already got two film adaptations involving Superman’s origins, so there’s no reason to see Krypton get blown up on the big screen for the third time.  Instead, the movie immediately transports audiences into a universe where humans and metahumans have already coexisted for centuries, and Clark Kent has been Superman for three years.  Fortunately, it briefly explains the universe's origins via an opening text reminiscent of “Star Wars”, so casual viewers can easily enjoy it without much knowledge of the characters and the DC lore.  But the real test lies in the execution of this narrative strategy.  After experiencing the film and reflecting on it for a bit, I can confidently say that this “Superman” stands tall alongside the other iterations.  Following Zack Snyder’s epic yet somber portrayal of the Man of Steel, James Gunn’s interpretation brings a refreshing return to the light-hearted and unapologetically silly roots that characterized the Christopher Reeve era.  The result is an immensely satisfying and entertaining depiction of one of DC’s most iconic heroes.  Was it a flawless Superman movie?  Not really, but it succeeds admirably in restoring him as the beacon of hope audiences have longed for.

Whether you appreciate James Gunn’s vision or not, it’s hard to deny his ability to craft comic book movies that are fun, humorous, and occasionally heartwarming, especially when he’s unveiling the humanity within his seemingly unlikable characters.  “Guardians of the Galaxy”, “Suicide Squad”, and “Peacemaker” have each garnered strong followings, illustrating why Gunn is often viewed as, from my perspective, a true “comic book fan”.  His ability to connect with audiences through his colorful storytelling and likable characters has continued to solidify his status in the industry, even in the realm of comic books filled with lesser-known heroes or villains.  On the other hand, “Superman” seemed like a different beast in itself, as he’s not dealing with intergalactic crooks or D-level villains.  Instead, he’s tackling a well-known superhero who has always been beloved for his goodwill and wisdom.  Gunn was tasked with honoring Superman’s storied legacy while incorporating his signature directorial style to appeal to a broader audience.  Did he succeed?  Yes, he did.  It had a few moments in his direction that we’d expect from Gunn’s previous films, including the licensed songs and offbeat humor.  However, those elements didn’t overshadow his ability to breathe life and humanity into the film’s light-hearted, comic book aesthetic universe.  

Whenever Gunn wasn’t infusing the film with visual-heavy chaos and playful humor, he embraced the film’s emotional core, which is rooted in the hero’s uplifting moments.  Although most of the film’s emotional beats may have been drowned out by its silliness and narrative structure, Gunn succeeded in making these moments feel genuine and heartfelt, often bringing a smile to my face.  His balance of humor and emotion ensured that the essence of Superman remains intact while keeping it fun and charismatic enough to delight its broader audience, including kids.  I would also credit Gunn for making the action sequences in “Superman” engaging, visually chaotic, and immensely rewarding.  The sequences, enhanced by Henry Braham’s cinematography, employed swift panning and zoom shots that immerse the audience in the heart of the action.  Remember that dynamic “one-take” scene from “Guardians of the Galaxy 3” where the Guardians battle the High Evolutionary’s forces?  Well, “Superman” is that sequence in a nutshell.  These scenes captured the chaos, beauty, and excitement of seeing Superman and the Justice Gang battle their opponents, particularly Mister Terrific’s standout action moment.  The visual effects also contributed significantly to the film’s appeal, effectively crafting the fictional world of Metropolis and Superman’s exhilarating flight sequences.  While some CGI elements, like Krypto, appear slightly clunky at times, they’re far less distracting and ugly than the ones from “The Flash”.  In fact, Krypto’s presence, despite being entirely CGI, adds an element of charm and amusement due to his rambunctiously playful behavior.

Regarding Gunn’s screenplay, it’s basically a straightforward superhero film that isn’t afraid to embrace its own identity.  Rather than complicating its narrative with overly intricate messages, it wisely focused on delivering a good enough script that highlights the thrills and uplifting messages in a heartfelt and simplistic manner.   While it does feature Superman serving as a symbol of hope and kindness amid calamity, the movie’s overall focus is the character’s humanity.  Traditionally, Superman has embodied the ideals of fighting for justice, being a paragon of virtue, and helping those in need, as he has always done through multiple iterations.  However, this adaptation of the character was bold enough to pose the question, “What if that’s not always the case?”  This question was explored through his birth parents’ true intentions in sending him to Earth.  That angle may not go over well with everyone, but to me, it works in casting this inexperienced Superman in a new light, emphasizing his identity beyond that of a mere powerful alien.  In light of the current global landscape, “Superman” is another inspiring reminder of what humanity could’ve been if we all just spread kindness and hope to each other, regardless of our backgrounds.  The screenplay did have some issues, notably the film’s genre tropes and lack of narratively bold surprises.  Nevertheless, Gunn demonstrated a clear understanding of what makes Superman an endearing and beloved DC icon.  It’s not just his superpowers and his unwavering sense of justice, but also the human qualities and vulnerabilities that make him relatable.  James Gunn successfully captured these traits with his screenplay, reminding us why Superman continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.

This brings us to an essential question: Was David Corenswet well-suited for the role of Superman?  Throughout the years, numerous actors have successfully portrayed this iconic superhero, each bringing their unique interpretations, such as Christopher Reeve and Henry Cavill.  Now, the mantle has passed to Corenswet, an actor who first caught my attention in his supporting role in “Twisters”.  After witnessing his portrayal of the Man of Steel, I was left feeling optimistic about seeing more of him in the future.  Corenswet embodied the spirit and heart of Christopher Reeve’s Superman without actually trying to imitate him.  He’s a Superman who’s human and vulnerable due to his grappling with his challenged beliefs.  David Corenswet also deserves credit for distinguishing his vocal delivery between Clark Kent and Superman, effectively portraying two distinct identities within the same character.  His performance, much like Robert Downey Jr.’s portrayal of Iron Man, captured both the charm and humanity essential to Superman, which will undoubtedly pave the way for new opportunities within the DC Universe and beyond.

The supporting cast also had their chance to shine amid the film’s extensive lineup, with some actors standing out more prominently.  Rachel Brosnahan did such an impressive job with her portrayal of Lois Lane, highlighting her modern journalistic prowess and transforming her from a mere damsel in distress to a dynamic, supportive ally.  Of course, her scenes with Corenswet’s Superman were brimming with charisma and warmth due to their undeniable chemistry together.  It’s moments like these that make the relationship between Clark and Lois so endearing, even when Superman’s not busy punching villains in the face.  Nicholas Hoult was an interesting choice to play Lex Luthor at first, but given his recent success in films like “Renfield”, “The Order”, and “Nosferatu”, I started to come around to the casting idea.  It was a good thing I did because Hoult really made me despise the guy, but for the right reason.  Luthor in this version is a merciless CEO whose anger and reckless actions were driven by his obsession with destroying Superman, and Hoult convincingly channeled this personality almost perfectly.  Edi Gathegi and Nathan Fillion also made their appearances memorable as Mister Terrific and Guy Gardner (Green Lantern), respectively.  Mister Terrific delivered the most crowd-pleasing moments in terms of action and comedy, while Nathan Fillion’s Guy is another example of James Gunn’s talent for making a seemingly unlikable character likable.  Although Isabela Merced was also decent as Hawkgirl, her role seemed somewhat overshadowed due to the film’s large cast.

Overall, James Gunn’s “Superman” soars to cinematic heights with its entertaining, uplifting, and unapologetically light-hearted portrayal of the Man of Steel’s humanity.  Its script may not be emotionally groundbreaking with its inspiring messages and genre tropes, and the tone, while full of charm and silliness, can be a bit much for some fans of the DC character.  Fortunately, under his direction and screenplay, James Gunn managed to craft a visually captivating and well-defined tribute to the superhero’s early days, especially the Christopher Reeve films, with the inclusion of John Williams’ iconic theme from the 1978 movie.  David Corenswet is another actor worthy of stepping into Superman’s shoes through his endearing performance, and the supporting cast managed to follow suit with their own great moments.  With its thrilling and immersive action sequences, solid visuals, and a rewarding mix of quirky humor and heartfelt moments, this latest version of “Superman” is a welcoming addition to the superhero’s cinematic hall of fame.  More importantly, it serves as a solid foundation for the DC Universe, especially with two more films from this universe set for release next year.  Hopefully, they can sustain this momentum and provide a worthy challenge to the Marvel Cinematic Universe despite liking both franchises for different reasons.  If you’re a fan of Superman, particularly the Christopher Reeve films, you’re likely to enjoy this latest interpretation of the Man of Steel.

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