July 11, 2025 · Watch the official trailer
Reimagined for the third time to draw audiences in as a summer blockbuster, “Superman” is almost everything one might want out of a comic book movie.
The iconography, nostalgia, and altruism that audiences feel from David Corenswet’s lead performance perfectly bridges the gap between this modern iteration and the iconic work Christopher Reeve did in the role decades earlier.
Rachel Brosnahan is exceptionally well cast as his love interest Lois Lane, supporting and yet challenging both iterations of the persona – Clark Kent and Superman – alike, while Nicholas Hoult steals scenes with a twist on classic villain Lex Luther that's eerily similar to Tom Cruise's eccentricities from the sidesplitting comedy “Tropic Thunder.”
Amid all this, however, there's something significantly off about director James Gunn’s take on the celebrated Man of Steel that puts a wet blanket on the whole endeavor.
It isn't just that audiences have to be sidetracked with an unnecessary deluge of supporting characters in what's intended to be the debut film for a Superman franchise. The wild tonal shifts from '70s Superman altruism through over the top science fiction villainy to a reverent, subversive comedy make it hard for viewers to maintain their footing as the cinematic ground constantly shifts beneath them.
From a larger storytelling perspective, it's not bad to start the “Superman” reboot having the world fully know who Superman is as a protector of Earth with opening title cards establishing that Superman has been the world's protector for over three years leading up to the events of the film.
The need, however, for Gunn to immediately establish a whole universe for DC Comics rather than simply building the world of Metropolis right out the gate is far too much for audiences to sink their teeth into for a first film. The decision to allow Gunn to direct individual films himself while also being the DC equivalent of Marvel's Kevin Feige creates an atmosphere where standalone filmmaking isn't entirely possible.
This isn't to say there isn't a ton to like about this “Superman.”
Corenswet is effortlessly charming n his altruism, yet not so arrogant as to be incapable of exuding the moral and emotional depths that balance between being one “super”-man against the needs of the entire planet create.
The relative newcomer is so convincing in the role that audiences will easily get behind his take on the character no matter how dedicated they might be to Reeve’s original or even the more recent spin Henry Cavill did in Zack Snyder's DC extended universe.
The intense, believable chemistry he's able to craft with Brosnahan feels resonant and layered with plenty more to explore in films that hopefully won't push the boundaries of the universe so wide.
The visual iconography of “Superman” leaps off the screen from the first moments with audiences able to take in the majesty of the classic Fortress of Solitude and layering contrast through the bright visual tapestry that Metropolis provides.
Aside from its more science fiction-y moments, the visual language of “Superman” created by cinematographer Henry Braham and production designer Beth Mickle have a dynamic, vintage feel that immediately pulls on viewers' heartstrings and invokes the sort of nostalgia that Gunn hopes to achieve with “Superman.”
Yet the balance is not completely there.
As much as it tries to be in the vein of a Christopher Reeve led “Superman” film, this 2025 version also tries to pull too much from Marvel's choices to world build and universe create at an accelerated pace chasing the almighty dollar.
The narrative is bloated with the unnecessary addition of secondary heroes jealous of Superman, tertiary henchmen with just enough backstory to become key to the plot and – despite how adorable and fun he is – a Kryptonian dog mucking up the plot.
There’s something for every type of movie lover in “Superman,” which is trying just a bit too hard to be a standout comic book blockbuster rather than simply being the best stand-alone movie it can be.
With that being said, the high points of “Superman” truly soar and the entertainment factor is certainly there enough to make it a must see in theaters for cinephiles wanting to turn off their brains and enjoy vintage superhero nostalgia.
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