SPOILER FREE REVIEW

Synopsis: When Superman gets drawn into conflicts at home and abroad, his actions are questioned, giving tech billionaire Lex Luthor the opportunity to get the Man of Steel out of the way for good. Will intrepid reporter Lois Lane and Superman's four-legged companion, Krypto, be able to help him before it's too late?

‘Superman’ genuinely feels like a comic book.

James Gunn’s ‘Superman’ reboot offers a refreshing shift in pace, compared to many modern superhero films before it. Known for his work on Marvel’s ‘Guardians of the Galaxy,’ Gunn wrote and directed this first official entry in the newly reimagined DC Universe (he’s overseeing it, too). With this film, Gunn is clearly trying to recalibrate the superhero genre for a modern audience.

In some respects, ‘Superman’ leans into nostalgia: the film opens with the laser-style typography reminiscent of the 1978 original, and it weaves John Williams’ classic theme into its score. We still get the explosive fights, space chases, and surreal monsters — but what’s different here is tone and focus. Gunn revisits Superman as he existed in comics and the early Reeve films—not just a symbol of power, but a figure of morality, uncertainty, and compassion. The film avoids darker but appreciated themes Zack Snyder brought to the big screen, and instead opts for a sprawling, often chaotic narrative full of emotional depth. It genuinely feels like a comic book brought to life because of how it balances action with internal stakes.

David Corenswet steps into the cape with a kind of boyish sincerity that works. He’s believable as the classic “all-American” Superman: physically imposing and charming. But what sells his performance is a subtle vulnerability. His Superman isn’t invincible; the film opens with him battered and bloodied in the Arctic, having just lost a fight. Even his dog Krypto, lovable but unruly, adds insult to his injuries.

Gunn wastes no time putting Superman through the wringer. At the Daily Planet, he’s dating Lois Lane (played with charisma, wit and edge by Rachel Brosnahan), who’s not shy about calling out the ethical implications of his double life. Their chemistry crackles, even when the dialogue stumbles—there’s one line comparing Superman’s morality to “punk rock” that lands with a thud. Still, their scenes give the film a strong emotional core.

Rather than retelling Superman’s origin, the film pushes him into more global territory. Lex Luthor, now reimagined as a tech-tycoon fascist played with icy charm by Nicholas Hoult, is pulling strings across governments and corporations. Superman’s attempt to stop a fictional Eastern European invasion puts him at odds with Luthor’s sprawling influence, and for once, we get to see the Man of Steel genuinely overwhelmed.

He’s also not alone. A host of other metahumans emerge, including Nathan Fillion’s snarky Green Lantern, Isabela Merced’s fierce Hawkgirl, and Edi Gathegi’s no-nonsense Mister Terrific. On top of that, social media conspiracies threaten to paint Superman as a fraud — something Zack Snyder played with from a news standpoint in his DCEU films. Luthor even tampers with a holographic message from Superman’s Kryptonian parents (Bradley Cooper and Angela Sarafyan), twisting their words to suggest he’s meant to dominate humanity. It’s not a lie—and that revelation cuts to the heart of Superman’s struggle: who is he really meant to be? Corenswet sells this tension well, teetering between confidence and uncertainty. T

he movie piles on the wildness —from robot Superman decoys to city — shattering rifts and even a tabloid-worthy subplot involving Jimmy Olsen and Luthor’s mutant-toed influencer girlfriend.

The sheer density of the film is both a strength and a flaw. Gunn’s maximalist approach keeps things moving, but rarely lets characters breathe. That frenetic pace holds ‘Superman’ back from joining the true greats of the genre — titles like ‘The Dark Knight’ and ‘Superman II.’ There’s many side characters here that have no place in the film due to the jam-packed script. At least, when the script does fail at certain times, the acting is strong enough from the entire cast to keep you fully engaged.

There’s no denying the film’s ambition or its heart. Gunn has crafted a superhero epic that’s thoughtful, wild, and sometimes overwhelming, but never cynical. Whether audiences will rally behind this new DC Universe remains to be seen. But if ‘Superman’ is any indication, the foundation is solid, and everyone will want to see David Corenswet in the cape for many years to come.

Our score: ★★★
(out of 5 stars)

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