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Rating
Synopsis
Three years after his debut, Superman (David Corenswet) has garnered considerable support but also some derision. While many view him as a hero, others suspect he’s hiding something, including tech billionaire Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult). Along with Superman are fellow metahumans Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion), Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced), and Mr. Terrific (Edi Gathegi). Unfortunately, people quickly turn on Superman when information is brought to light suggesting he’s here to conquer Earth. Lois Lane (Rachael Brosnahan), ace reporter at The Daily Planet, works to uncover the truth despite the risks. As Superman attempts to clear his name, Luthor proceeds with his plans to stage an international war. Despite the odds, Superman’s influence has inspired people to stand up and fight for what’s right when facing danger. With help from The Justice Gang and some unexpected allies, Superman will fight for truth, justice, and the human way.
Review
After years of ups and downs regarding DC movies, Superman comes along and breathes new life into the franchise. Like with his Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, James Gunn infuses his work with heart and humor, creating something special. His adaptation feels like a spiritual successor to what made Richard Donner’s 1978 original work. Rather than the grey and dreary mess Zach Snyder did, Gunn brings us a colorful and hopeful film. The movie features a vibrant color palette that isn’t overly saturated, and it feels inspiring without resorting to clichés. Sure, you get plenty of CGI action like in most modern superhero movies, but you still care about what’s happening. You’ve become so invested in these characters that you want them to win, not checking your watch every few seconds. Granted, some characters here are better than others, but the weaker ones don’t ruin the movie.
While Henry Cavill was a solid Superman, David Corenswet feels more in line with the character’s essence. He genuinely wants to help people, despite what people say about him and the overly political world surrounding him. Like Christopher Reeve before him, Corenswet brings a level of charisma and humanity to make the character more relatable. Rachael Brosnahan, in addition to having fantastic chemistry with Corenswet, perfectly embodies Lois Lane as the no-nonsense reporter she is. As iconic as Gene Hackman was, I think Nicholas Hoult gives his Lex Luthor a run for his money. Hoult brings the same level of hubris as Hackman, but he’s also more ruthless and cold in his demeanor. Nathan Fillion and especially Edi Gathegi steal the show, and while Isabela Merced isn’t terrible, she feels underdeveloped. Also, despite his limited screen time, Wendell Pierce brings a genuine aura as Perry White.
As much as I loved this movie, it’s not without its flaws that might deter some audiences. For one, while it would’ve been hard with a real dog, having Krypto as a fully CGI dog is distracting. Granted, he doesn’t take up too much screen time, but seeing this little CG dog jumping around is off-putting. Also, like some other James Gunn movies, this one suffers from dramatic moments being undercut by an ill-placed joke. While it’s not as bad as some other reviewers make it seem, it still creeps up from time to time. Plus, the overabundance of characters and subplots can feel overwhelming, but it also adds to the film’s scale. At slightly over two hours, some parts drag somewhat, but the pacing is solid and never feels sloppy. Overall, Superman is a fantastic standalone movie and a great start to a new universe.
Buy Superman from Amazon: https://amzn.to/4jOXvON.
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Where to watch Superman (2025)
