Superman (2025) Movie Review: A Vibrant, Heartfelt Reboot That Soars but Stumbles
James Gunn’s Superman, released on July 11, 2025, marks the bold launch of the new DC Universe (DCU), a cinematic reset that aims to rekindle the magic of the Man of Steel for a modern audience. Starring David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, this 130-minute superhero spectacle is a colorful, earnest, and action-packed reimagining of the iconic character. Gunn, serving as writer, director, and co-CEO of DC Studios, leans into the comic book roots of Superman, blending Silver Age charm with contemporary themes. While the film delivers exhilarating action, heartfelt moments, and a stellar cast, its overstuffed narrative and tonal inconsistencies prevent it from reaching the heights of its predecessors like Richard Donner’s 1978 classic. Here’s a detailed look at what makes Superman a promising yet flawed start to the DCU.
The film dives straight into the action, bypassing the familiar origin story of Kal-El, the Kryptonian raised in Smallville who becomes Earth’s protector. Instead, we meet Superman three years into his heroics, bruised and battered after a fight with a mysterious foe from the fictional nation of Boravia. This in-media-res approach, while refreshing, assumes audience familiarity with Superman’s lore, allowing Gunn to focus on Clark’s emotional journey and his role as a beacon of hope in a cynical world. The story follows Superman as he navigates public scrutiny, orchestrated by tech billionaire Lex Luthor, who paints him as a dangerous alien through social media smear campaigns and geopolitical manipulation. Alongside this, Clark’s relationship with Lois Lane at the Daily Planet and his interactions with a colorful ensemble of metahumans, including Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced), Mr. Terrific (Edi Gathegi), and Green Lantern Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion), add layers to the narrative.
David Corenswet shines as Superman, bringing a sincere, all-American charm that echoes Christopher Reeve’s iconic portrayal while carving out his own space. His Clark Kent is endearingly awkward, peppering dialogue with “golly” and “gosh,” while his Superman radiates optimism and vulnerability. Corenswet’s chemistry with Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane is a highlight, particularly in a witty interview scene where Lois grills Superman on his unsanctioned intervention in a war between Boravia and Jarhanpur. Brosnahan’s Lois is sharp, confident, and refreshingly independent, a modern take on the character that avoids damsel-in-distress tropes. Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor is a petulant, tech-savvy villain, though his motivations feel underdeveloped, relying on familiar billionaire antagonist clichés. The supporting cast, including Krypto the Superdog and the Justice Gang, adds humor and variety, with Krypto stealing scenes as a chaotic, cape-wearing canine.
Gunn’s direction is vibrant, embracing the comic book aesthetic with colorful visuals and dynamic action sequences. The film feels like a living comic book, with splash-page-inspired fights and a guitar-heavy score by John Murphy and David Fleming that complements the high-flying chaos. Cinematography captures Superman’s aerial feats with a windswept intensity, making his flights visually spectacular. The film’s Silver Age influences are evident in its playful tone, quirky elements like Superman’s robotic assistants, and a lighthearted approach to the genre’s inherent silliness. Gunn’s script weaves in timely themes—immigration, media manipulation, and the ethics of power—without preaching, though these ideas sometimes feel like surface-level commentary rather than deep exploration.
Despite its strengths, Superman struggles with an overcrowded narrative. The film juggles multiple plotlines—Superman’s crisis of confidence, Luthor’s schemes, the Justice Gang’s antics, and a shape-shifting prisoner named Metamorpho—resulting in a rushed pace that sacrifices emotional depth. Key moments, like Superman’s doubts about his Kryptonian heritage or his romance with Lois, are undercut by abrupt editing and a focus on action over character development. The tonal balance is uneven, veering from heartfelt drama to goofy humor, with elements like Luthor’s monkey-run social media bots feeling more absurd than clever. While the action is thrilling, particularly in IMAX, the relentless CGI battles grow repetitive, echoing the formulaic climaxes of other superhero films. The film’s 2-hour-10-minute runtime feels brisk but leaves little room for the story to breathe, making some resolutions feel unearned.
Thematically, Superman excels in portraying the hero as an immigrant striving to embody hope in a divided world. His unilateral actions spark debates about power and accountability, mirrored by real-world parallels like social media mob culture. However, these ideas are often sidelined by the film’s need to set up the broader DCU, introducing characters and concepts that distract from Superman’s arc. The emotional core—Clark’s struggle to balance his alien heritage with his human values—is compelling but underdeveloped, with pivotal scenes like his visit to Ma and Pa Kent (Neva Howell and Pruitt Taylor Vince) resolving too quickly. The film’s humor, while effective, sometimes undercuts its weightier moments, leaving it caught between sincerity and self-awareness.
Technically, Superman is polished, with strong production values from Warner Bros. The visual effects blend practical and CGI elements well, and the lighting enhances the immersive feel of the action. The score, while no match for John Williams’ iconic theme, is stirring and modern. However, the film’s reliance on familiar superhero tropes—collapsing skyscrapers, kaiju-like monsters—makes it feel less innovative than it could have been. Critics have noted its resemblance to Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy, with a similar mix of humor and heart, but it lacks the emotional resonance of his best work.
In conclusion, Superman is a fun, hopeful, and visually stunning reboot that captures the character’s essence as a symbol of optimism. Corenswet and Brosnahan deliver standout performances, and Gunn’s comic book sensibilities make the film a love letter to Superman’s legacy. However, its cluttered narrative, tonal inconsistencies, and rushed pacing keep it from soaring to greatness. For comic fans, the film’s geeky charm and DCU setup are exciting, but casual viewers may find it lacking the emotional heft of Donner’s Superman or the gravitas of Snyder’s Man of Steel. It’s a solid summer blockbuster that promises a bright future for the DCU, best enjoyed for its vibrant energy and heartfelt hero.
Rating: 3.5/5
James Gunn’s Superman, released on July 11, 2025, marks the bold launch of the new DC Universe (DCU), a cinematic reset that aims to rekindle the magic of the Man of Steel for a modern audience. Starring David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, this 130-minute superhero spectacle is a colorful, earnest, and action-packed reimagining of the iconic character. Gunn, serving as writer, director, and co-CEO of DC Studios, leans into the comic book roots of Superman, blending Silver Age charm with contemporary themes. While the film delivers exhilarating action, heartfelt moments, and a stellar cast, its overstuffed narrative and tonal inconsistencies prevent it from reaching the heights of its predecessors like Richard Donner’s 1978 classic. Here’s a detailed look at what makes Superman a promising yet flawed start to the DCU.
The film dives straight into the action, bypassing the familiar origin story of Kal-El, the Kryptonian raised in Smallville who becomes Earth’s protector. Instead, we meet Superman three years into his heroics, bruised and battered after a fight with a mysterious foe from the fictional nation of Boravia. This in-media-res approach, while refreshing, assumes audience familiarity with Superman’s lore, allowing Gunn to focus on Clark’s emotional journey and his role as a beacon of hope in a cynical world. The story follows Superman as he navigates public scrutiny, orchestrated by tech billionaire Lex Luthor, who paints him as a dangerous alien through social media smear campaigns and geopolitical manipulation. Alongside this, Clark’s relationship with Lois Lane at the Daily Planet and his interactions with a colorful ensemble of metahumans, including Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced), Mr. Terrific (Edi Gathegi), and Green Lantern Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion), add layers to the narrative.
David Corenswet shines as Superman, bringing a sincere, all-American charm that echoes Christopher Reeve’s iconic portrayal while carving out his own space. His Clark Kent is endearingly awkward, peppering dialogue with “golly” and “gosh,” while his Superman radiates optimism and vulnerability. Corenswet’s chemistry with Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane is a highlight, particularly in a witty interview scene where Lois grills Superman on his unsanctioned intervention in a war between Boravia and Jarhanpur. Brosnahan’s Lois is sharp, confident, and refreshingly independent, a modern take on the character that avoids damsel-in-distress tropes. Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor is a petulant, tech-savvy villain, though his motivations feel underdeveloped, relying on familiar billionaire antagonist clichés. The supporting cast, including Krypto the Superdog and the Justice Gang, adds humor and variety, with Krypto stealing scenes as a chaotic, cape-wearing canine.
Gunn’s direction is vibrant, embracing the comic book aesthetic with colorful visuals and dynamic action sequences. The film feels like a living comic book, with splash-page-inspired fights and a guitar-heavy score by John Murphy and David Fleming that complements the high-flying chaos. Cinematography captures Superman’s aerial feats with a windswept intensity, making his flights visually spectacular. The film’s Silver Age influences are evident in its playful tone, quirky elements like Superman’s robotic assistants, and a lighthearted approach to the genre’s inherent silliness. Gunn’s script weaves in timely themes—immigration, media manipulation, and the ethics of power—without preaching, though these ideas sometimes feel like surface-level commentary rather than deep exploration.
Despite its strengths, Superman struggles with an overcrowded narrative. The film juggles multiple plotlines—Superman’s crisis of confidence, Luthor’s schemes, the Justice Gang’s antics, and a shape-shifting prisoner named Metamorpho—resulting in a rushed pace that sacrifices emotional depth. Key moments, like Superman’s doubts about his Kryptonian heritage or his romance with Lois, are undercut by abrupt editing and a focus on action over character development. The tonal balance is uneven, veering from heartfelt drama to goofy humor, with elements like Luthor’s monkey-run social media bots feeling more absurd than clever. While the action is thrilling, particularly in IMAX, the relentless CGI battles grow repetitive, echoing the formulaic climaxes of other superhero films. The film’s 2-hour-10-minute runtime feels brisk but leaves little room for the story to breathe, making some resolutions feel unearned.
Thematically, Superman excels in portraying the hero as an immigrant striving to embody hope in a divided world. His unilateral actions spark debates about power and accountability, mirrored by real-world parallels like social media mob culture. However, these ideas are often sidelined by the film’s need to set up the broader DCU, introducing characters and concepts that distract from Superman’s arc. The emotional core—Clark’s struggle to balance his alien heritage with his human values—is compelling but underdeveloped, with pivotal scenes like his visit to Ma and Pa Kent (Neva Howell and Pruitt Taylor Vince) resolving too quickly. The film’s humor, while effective, sometimes undercuts its weightier moments, leaving it caught between sincerity and self-awareness.
Technically, Superman is polished, with strong production values from Warner Bros. The visual effects blend practical and CGI elements well, and the lighting enhances the immersive feel of the action. The score, while no match for John Williams’ iconic theme, is stirring and modern. However, the film’s reliance on familiar superhero tropes—collapsing skyscrapers, kaiju-like monsters—makes it feel less innovative than it could have been. Critics have noted its resemblance to Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy, with a similar mix of humor and heart, but it lacks the emotional resonance of his best work.
In conclusion, Superman is a fun, hopeful, and visually stunning reboot that captures the character’s essence as a symbol of optimism. Corenswet and Brosnahan deliver standout performances, and Gunn’s comic book sensibilities make the film a love letter to Superman’s legacy. However, its cluttered narrative, tonal inconsistencies, and rushed pacing keep it from soaring to greatness. For comic fans, the film’s geeky charm and DCU setup are exciting, but casual viewers may find it lacking the emotional heft of Donner’s Superman or the gravitas of Snyder’s Man of Steel. It’s a solid summer blockbuster that promises a bright future for the DCU, best enjoyed for its vibrant energy and heartfelt hero.
Rating: 3.5/5
