Superman
July 8th, 2025
MOVIE: SUPERMAN
STARRING: DAVID CORENSWET, NICHOLAS HOULT, RACHEL BROSNAHAN, EDI GATHEGI
DIRECTED BY: JAMES GUNN
AMovieGuy.com’s RATING: 3 STARS (Out of 4)
RATED: PG-13
RUN TIME: 129 MINUTES
Superman has always represented goodness, and that’s exactly what makes him hard to portray. It’s not the complex origin story or overwhelming powers that pose the challenge, but his perfection. With his chiseled body, boyish charm, and iconic hair, he’s long been a symbol of flawless virtue (aside from that pesky Kryptonite). He gets the girl, stops the villain, and still rescues a cat from a tree.
But dig deeper, and Superman isn’t perfect. Director James Gunn understands the internal conflicts beneath the cape. His new Superman leans into that complexity, and while it can feel a bit much at times, the result soars. This is the Superman movie we need right now—a reminder that the hero isn’t just superhuman, but deeply human too.
The film wisely skips the overfamiliar origin and drops us straight into the action. Superman (David Corenswet) faces off against the Hammer of Boravia, a destructive villain unleashed by tech billionaire Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult). Alongside him is his untrained but loyal pup, Krypto. Their victory disrupts Luthor’s wider plans for global domination. Meanwhile, Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan) and the Daily Planet team investigate from the ground, with a secret romance brewing between Lois and her mysterious coworker, Clark Kent. As the stakes rise, Clark is torn between saving humanity and finding his place in it.
This marks Superman’s tenth film appearance, yet Gunn finds a fresh angle—faithful to the comics, nodding to past films, but undeniably his own. The pacing is brisk (about two hours), the visuals bright (if occasionally chaotic), and the use of John Williams’ iconic theme hits just right. Though the script feels crowded, it’s held together by constant momentum and a superb cast.
David Corenswet is a revelation—charming, sincere, and layered. He looks the part, but more importantly, he gets to be the character. After years of stoic portrayals- Man of Steel or Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice– it’s refreshing to see a Superman who talks, feels, and inspires. Gunn’s version makes the character relevant again.
Thematically, the film lands squarely in the present. Luthor, a petty and dangerous billionaire exploiting his wealth, feels all too real. Hoult nails the role with a mix of menace and absurdity. Supporting Superman are a lineup of heroes—Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion), Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced), and the scene-stealing Mr. Terrific (Edi Gathegi). But the real story is Superman’s refusal to give up hope, even when the world seems beyond saving.
Visually and tonally, it’s pure Gunn: wide-angle shots, irreverent humor, needle-drop soundtracks, and larger-than-life characters. Not every element clicks, but most do. The result is a film that feels joyful, timely, and deeply sincere.
Superman marks a strong start to Gunn’s DC Universe, and more importantly, a return to what makes the character matter. We need heroes who lead with kindness. And right now, there’s no better hero than Superman.
3 STARS
SUPERMAN IS PLAYING IN THEATERS FRIDAY, JULY 11TH, 2025.
Written by: Leo Brady
