I had mixed feelings heading into James Gunn’s 2025 Superman, his latest take on one of the most iconic superheroes in popular culture. Early trailers and previews left me underwhelmed, with so-so CGI and dialogue that didn’t land. Die-hard Superman fans seemed intrigued by Gunn’s approach, especially since this film effectively ends the DCEU and launches a newly defined DCU.
In execution, I remain conflicted. Gunn’s signature style—overstuffed ideas, frenetic visuals, and a manic energy layered over darker themes—has worked in the Guardians of the Galaxy films, but on a character like Superman, it feels overwhelming and disjointed. The movie is ambitious, colorful, and energetic, but that same ambition sometimes works against it, creating an antsy, hard-to-pin-down experience.
At its best, Superman is faithful to the comic book aesthetic. Gunn drops us into action immediately, sidestepping the classic origin story: Clark Kent is already Superman, dating Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan), while Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) is actively plotting against him. David Corenswet brings a fresh take, stoic yet more emo and punk than previous portrayals, wrestling with Superman’s alien outsider identity in a way that feels more personal than classical. Corenswet is solid, but Brosnahan and Hoult arguably steal scenes with sharper, more grounded performances.
The film struggles, however, as a launchpad for the new DCU. Its episodic structure and cartoonish energy make it feel like a Saturday morning serial rather than a foundational cinematic universe entry. Gunn’s political and thematic commentary lands heavy-handed, lacking nuance, and the emotional beats never fully resonate. The action sequences are visually impressive, but the story and character arcs feel surprisingly hollow for such a high-profile reboot.
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Superman isn’t a failure—it’s inventive, stylish, and shows heart—but it’s far from the definitive Superman movie or the ideal starting point for the DCU. Its ambition and James Gunn’s unmistakable energy are apparent, but the execution leaves it overstuffed, hollow at times, and hard to fully embrace.
Score: 5/10
Superman (2025)
- Cast: David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult, Edi Gathegi, Nathan Fillion, Isabela Merced, María Gabriela de Faría, Skyler Gisondo, Alan Tudyk, Grace Chan, Bradley Cooper, Angela Sarafyan, Michael Rooker, Pom Klementieff
- Director: James Gunn
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Science Fiction, Superhero
- Runtime: 130 minutes
- Rated: PG-13
- Release Date: July 11, 2025
- Movies Like Superman: The Flash, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, Fantastic Four, More Movies Like Superman
