Superman Review | Hope is Here

James Gunn has a colossal task ahead of him. He must kickstart a new DC Universe of films and TV shows, many of which will be very different from what Zack Snyder has done over the last decade or so, all while trying to keep as many people happy as possible. While the new DCU technically kicked off with the delightful Creature Commandos series on HBO Max, the new Superman movie is what everyone has been waiting for… and it’s finally here.

Story

In Superman, metahumans have been around for thousands of years. However, Superman (David Corenswet) only made himself known to the world three years before the events of the film. He loses his first fight as the film opens, which many people have already seen in the various trailers released for the film thus far.

Superman has plenty of world building, but that’s not the main focus of the film. This may be the start of the new DC Universe, but the world has been around long before Superman became active. Mr. Terrific (Edi Gathegi), Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced), and the Green Lantern Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion) have recently formed a team that Superman isn’t part of. This is a living, breathing world, and Superman only offers one small slice of everything that’s going on.

A Blend of Genres

Man of Steel was essentially an action movie. There were a number of big action set pieces that were exciting to watch, but for many people it did not feel like a proper Superman movie. It was darker, hope wasn’t a big focus of the film, and while still a good movie, it wasn’t Superman. James Gunn has turned all of that around, making this new Superman a blend of multiple film genres.

At its heart, Superman is a love story between Supes and Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan). The film takes its time to showcase the romance between these two, which causes minor pacing issues, but doesn’t hold on these moments long enough to completely derail things. At the same time, there’s a clear comedic thread running through the film, similar to a Marvel Studios film, but not quite as heavy handed. The closest comparison would be something like Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, where there was humor, but it wasn’t the focal point like it was in something like the first Guardians of the Galaxy, or Thor: Love and Thunder.

There’s also plenty of action to be had, with Gunn’s signature rotating camera angles capturing all of the fights. Superman goes toe-to-toe with a number of enemies throughout the film, sometimes showcasing his raw power, and other times struggling against a formidable opponent. But there’s also a political side to the story that in many ways runs parallel to what’s happening in the real world. It’s not enough to say it’s a focus in the film, but the undertones are definitely there and in plain sight.

Defining Characters

Every major character gets a moment to shine in Superman. Corenswet and Brosnahan embody Superman and Lois Lane respectively. We don’t see much of Clark Kent, but Corenswet seemed to have that side of Superman down as well. Jimmy Olsen (Skyler Gisondo) feels like a proper character in the film, something we haven’t seen from a Superman movie in some time, and Perry White (Wendell Pierce) even gets a little something to do.

Guy Gardner and Mr. Terrific steal many of the scenes they’re in, while Hawkgirl feels a bit sidelined. Still, all of these characters have clearly defined personalities, which mostly aligns with what comic fans are expecting (although there are some nitpicks to be had). Meanwhile, both Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) and Superman tend to go over the top in their own ways, with Lex being almost cartoonish in his villainy, and Superman feeling equally exaggerated on the side of hope.

The Final Verdict

Superman is not a flawless movie, but it feels like a proper Superman film. Hope is front and center, the movie is bright and colorful, characters are well-defined, and there’s a living, breathing world for Superman to interact with. This is a great launching point for James Gunn to begin his new DC Universe, and while there are a lot of characters in Superman, this doesn’t feel bloated, or like a setup movie that requires additional films to get the full story. The movie stands on its own, with more to come that will likely expand on what Gunn has started here. DC fans can finally feel hope for the future.

About Superman

Synopsis: Superman must reconcile his alien Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing as reporter Clark Kent. As the embodiment of truth, justice and the human way he soon finds himself in a world that views these as old-fashioned.

Director: James Gunn

Writer: James Gunn

Cast: David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult, Nathan Fillion, Edi Gathegi, Wendell Pierce, Skyler Gisondo, Maria Gabriela de Faria, Isabela Merced, Alan Tudyk

Rated: PG-13

Runtime: 2 Hours, 9 Minutes

Releases: July 11, 2025