The highly anticipated superhero movie of 2025 is finally here! James Gunn's Superman flew on the big screen with high approvals from critics and audiences alike. Finally ending the decades long polarizing past Superman films (Superman Returns and Man of Steel). I personally enjoyed the movie. I believe it's a great way to introduce Superman to this generation of audience. While also reliving all the great things from the 2000's Superman Animated Series that made countless of fans of the character that are today's paying audience. The movie saved us from the usual origin stories and got right into the action. Establishing that this Superman isn't as indestructible as let's say Snyder's Superman. Here, we are shown a Superman that bleeds (no pun intended). David Corenswet was charming in his role as Superman, if not comedic. I was afraid that the comedy levels of this film would equal Shazam, good thing it was toned down to what is watchable for a Superman movie. And David handled it well in that department to the best of his abilities as what the script offered. I was also skeptical at Rachel Brosnahan at first, but I became an instant fan. I could probably say she is the best big screen Lois Lane to date (but still second to Teri Hatcher for live action Lois). And her chemistry with David was off the charts. This was a refreshing scene to watch especially after having to endure the boring Brandon Routh-Kate Bosworth pairing from Superman Returns, and the ho-hum Henry Cavill-Amy Adams tandem. It was nice to see the Daily Planet crew having joined in on the fun, though Jimmy Olsen was definitely a scene stealer in every scene that he was on. Nicholas Hoult's Lex Luthor meanwhile was too eccentric for my taste, I think he kinda went over the top with his portrayal and I don't recall Lex Luthor being like that except for Jesse Eisenberg's portrayal. The Justice Gang was hilarious, especially Nathan Fillion's Guy Gardner and his annoying bowl cut. Mr. Terrific (Edi Gathegi) was an enjoyable watch, Warner Bros should consider giving him his own show. I however didn't like Isabela Merced's Hawkgirl. She acted like a brat, I was quite annoyed by her portrayal of Hawkgirl. Metamorpho was ok, wish he had a longer screen time. I thought he and baby Joey's role were bigger and was the main plot of the story. But Gunn handled their appearances deftly without stealing the movie from Superman. As for Krypto? Need I say more.
James Gunn had been saying that this Superman took inspiration from All-Star Superman and Superman for All Seasons limited series graphic novels.Which explains why David wasn't as buff as the previous Superman. Because in both books, Superman was more of an every man than a chiseled muscular Superhero. So fans ridiculing the costume choice got it wrong. As for the story, just like All-Star Superman, we are taken in on a non-stop action from beginning to the end. Inserting various adventures and foes that makes me feel like I was reading a comic book featuring some villain for the day. The plot simply revolved around Superman meddling in an international conflict, that was actually initiated by Luthor. Using Supeman's idealistic nature to foster fear when he manipulates a secret message from Superman's parents that Superman could not decode. This was the main plot point but for the side adventures, we see Superman fighting Kaijus, androids (Engineer), Lex Corp armored soldiers, and a clone (Ultraman). It felt episodic in a sense that we are treated to a two hour movie but was divided into different parts featuring episodes from our favorite DC animated show. If people had been saying that audiences nowadays are having superhero movie fatigue, Gunn doubles down on it and embraced what Superman represents to the Superhero movie genre. Because after all, Superman was the first "Super" hero that paved the way for the genre. And if you are a fan of the Silver Age Superman comic books, then I could say Gunn understood his Superman when put under that framing. Though there was an emphasis on fun and lighthearted adventures, Gunn also gets serious by driving in Superman's morality that he remains a constant force for good and has no time to question his place in the world. Even when doubt began to seep in, its the cries for help that he can't just turn down. Though this was to be the emotional weight of the story, I think this was glossed over in favor of more action, humor, and more action. Don't get me wrong, the movie has its emotional moments. I got teary eyed in that scene where Superman and Lois were talking about their relationship right before Superman goes on his final mission. But that emotional moment still couldn't match the way Superman Returns got me to shed a tear when a de-powered Superman got roughed up by Luthor and his goons. Or how I get extra emotional to most of the scenes of Man of Steel.
Another thing that I love about the movie is that Gunn paid tribute to the past movies by inserting Easter eggs that paid homage to previous iterations of Superman in the big screen. I was grinning when it was revealed that Luthor's meddling in the war between Boravia and Jarhanpur had something to do with real estate (homage to Luthor's schemes in Superman: The Movie and Superman Returns). The black hole splitting the earth and the city of Metropolis also reminded me of the climactic scene in Superman Returns when a new Krypton rose from the sea bed of Metropolis, threatening to split the city in half. Superman v.s. Ultraman (Superman Clone)? Clap back to Superman 3 where Clark Kent/Superman fought an evil version of himself. Even the part where Superman surrenders to authorities felt like a scene straight from Zack Snyder's Man of Steel. I think these were done to honor the past Superman movies as Gunn seeks to continue his version of Superman on the big screen.
For further reading on my past reviews of Man of Steel, BVS, and Justice League, I'm attaching the link for your perusal:
Batman V Superman Movie Review:
