Rating: 4/5
Synopsis:
James Gunn’s “Superman” kicks off the DCU with high expectations. In this iteration, Superman has been living a dual life for a few years. His constant optimism and faith in humanity begins to create rifts in global affairs, interfering in a conflict that causes problems for the U.S. government. As Superman struggles to understand the gray area in a world where he sees hope, Lex Luthor is also plotting his demise. Superman and another group of metahumans uncover a plot by Lex Luthor that will effectively destroy them and serve his own self interest. Can Superman overcome these obstacles and inspire hope in a world that has lost it?
Positives:
“Superman” is without question my most anticipated film of 2025. The hype surrounding the relaunch of the new DCU has piqued my curiosity and instilled a lot of hope for the future of the comic book genre. “Superman” is an interesting film. It pivots in a completely different direction from Zack Snyder’s “Man of Steel”. It is bright, hopeful, and oftentimes inspiring. For some, this will be a breath of fresh air. For others…it may be a souring pivot. The film ended up being a bit different than I expected (for better and worse). it took multiple viewings to grasp the story Gunn is trying to convey. Where it succeeds most is in the character driven moments, whether it be Clark and Lois having a feisty banter during an interview or Pa Kent consoling his son over his place in the world. but he also has a wonderful relationship with Krypto the Superdog. These two share some sweet moments that are sure to please pet lovers. These rich character moments are exactly what I was hoping to see in this version of Superman. His humanity and passion for justice are his greatest strengths. James Gunn has a knack for perfectly casting his films and this is no exception.
David Corenswet perfectly embodies the aura of Superman, conveying a sense of confidence while still figuring out his place in the world. Exploring his naive nature is such a creative direction to take the character in this day and age. Clark’s small town values of community and hope radiate throughout the film. He also displays a sense of frustration as the story goes on, observing the world’s events through a black and white lens rather than seeing the many gray areas that exist. This is very accurate to how I’ve perceived the character, where Kal-El wears his heart on his sleeves and chooses to be a beacon of light. Rachel Brosnahan excels as Lois Lane, balancing her driven spirit and fervent journalistic integrity. She cuts no corners and pulls no punches. I loved her take on the character! Nicholas Hoult eats up the screen as Lex Luthor, delivering what might be the most hateable portrayal of the character yet. His eccentric ego and long standing hatred for Superman is conveyed perfectly. When the two shared scenes it was hard to take my eyes off the screen. The rest of the cast does a nice job with the material they’re given, especially Edi Gathegi as Mr. Terrific and Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen. Nathan Fillion also delivers an appropriately raunchy performance as Guy Gardner.
The central conflict of the story is timely and thoroughly engaging. Superman is a person who is deeply human, one who experiences the same passion, excitement, sadness, and frustration we all feel. It is part of going through life as a regular person, something Clark is trying to do. Gunn zeroes in on this idea throughout the film and manages to deliver a Superman that is flawed and relatable. Clark tries to balance a relationship with Lois while failing to understand the ramifications of his actions on a global scale. Gunn plops us right into the thick of this world, where metahumans are trying to exist in a world that may share some skepticism about them. Thematically, the film highlights the world we are in. We often see social media blow issues out of proportion or misrepresent someone’s quote. This is true with Lex’s attempts to turn the public against Superman. It also highlights the public’s current state to turn to negativity, which frustrates Superman in his attempt to be a good man in difficult times. Although the film has a lot going on, I appreciate the attempt to make Superman a beacon of hope once again. He is a hero with an unwavering sense of justice and an ability to use his powers for other’s benefit. What’s more heroic than that?
Negatives:
Although “Superman” gives us a fresh take on the character, I have some issues with the construction of the story. Most of my problems surround James Gunn’s blueprints. With the struggles DC has had through the last number of years, he had to kickstart the DCU in the midst of what some would consider superhero fatigue. Even Marvel has struggled with this lately. Gunn makes a film that is likely going to appeal to super fans of the comics, where those familiar with the lore and references will enjoy the film most. “Superman” may be more niche than intended, where non comic fans may struggle with the lighthearted tone and silly portrayal. Gunn’s divisive humor is scattered throughout the film…more than I could have expected. Most of it doesn’t land for me, forcing its way into a scene that needed no such inclusion. This style of humor worked well for “Guardians” because they are an offbeat group by nature. The whimsical world they inhabit makes better use of the comic booky aesthetic and edgy humor. Superman is a different animal, requiring more care and emotional weight. Gunn is able to create a few strong character driven scenes that lean away from this humor. Those were great! Unfortunately the rest of the film forces this forced humor into scenes that absolutely didn’t need it.
The film also tries to juggle too much. It feels like a sequel to a few other movies that have already happened. There are different storylines fighting for screentime that rarely get enough time to feel relevant to the central plot. We have Superman’s personal journey in a society that has forgotten kindness, Lex’s plan in the global war for his own self interest, a pocket universe segment, and a number of other plot lines that feel smushed together. It plays in a way that feels episodic rather than a singular story with good flow. The pace moves at breakneck speed, trying to juggle the many themes and plot lines at once. Superman sometimes feels sidelined in his own movie which frustrated me greatly. There are so many characters crammed into one film, where Gunn does his best to give them all something to do. This comes at the cost of Clark, Lois, and Lex, who are the reason we came to see this film. I wish Gunn used better restraint in a movie as important as Superman. He is one of the world’s most popular heroes, deserving of a story that commands our attention. This overstuffed story often gets lost in weightless spectacle and silly Saturday morning cartoon antics. Perhaps the film needed a director that put more focus on the central character. I would have preferred to see more restraint and a greater focus on why Superman is this important of a figure. Instead, we get James Gunn’s version. It has some wonderful moments and phenomenal casting…but the final product is messier than it should have been.
Conclusion:
“Superman” is a film that left me frustrated on a number of levels. I believe James Gunn took a blanket approach from his other films and pasted it into this story. It is a film overstuffed with too many characters, lacking the focus it needed to be truly successful. But the film soars when it needs to, providing dazzling flight sequences and an intimate look at this character we all love. The cast does a wonderful job in their respective roles too. Corenswet, Brosnahan, and Hoult all earn their place in this new DCU. I can’t wait to see where their characters go next! If Gunn removed the massive catalog of characters and gave more focus to the titular character, the film would have felt more focused. I also wish the overplayed humor was reeled back. It really hurt certain scenes where the stakes needed to be higher. Instead, the film often feels too silly and light to take the central conflict seriously. Sometimes less is more…a lesson I wish Gunn learned before making this film. When Gunn allows his characters to own the screen, the film leaps to great heights. The timely portrayal of a character lost in a world of negativity is a brilliant direction to take the story. Superman’s charm and humanity are portrayed in such a wonderful way and I look forward to revisiting Corenswet’s take on the Man of Steel. Check it out on an IMAX screen if this version of the character sounds interesting. But temper expectations if a silly and light hearted portrayal is too big a pivot.
