Film Review - Superman
Images courtesy of Warner Bros.
In 2022, Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn was hired as the new head of DC Studios. After a series of critical flops and inconsistencies, it was obvious that the DC Universe needed a good shake-up. 2025’s Superman marks the beginning of a new chapter for the studio, with Gunn at the helm and being presented with the mammoth task of simultaneously introducing and reinventing the most famous superhero in the world. The question is, does Superman soar or sink?
Gunn decides to skip the origin story that has been told so many times, and we instead meet the character (played by David Corenswet) three years into his dual roles as Superman on Earth and reporter Clark Kent at the Daily Planet. He is also dating fellow reporter Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan), who is well aware of Clark’s superhero identity, and is able to conduct an occasional interview with Superman as a result. While Superman is heroic and believes he was sent to Earth to save people, not everybody is a fan of his, especially envious tech billionaire Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult). Many are skeptical about Superman’s intentions, given that he is a Kryptonian alien not of this world. In an effort to eliminate the Man of Steel, Luthor gets his hands on a damning unseen video message from Jor-El (Bradley Cooper) and Lara Lor-Van (Angela Sarafyan), Clark’s late biological Kryptonian parents, who order their son to tyrannically rule over the simple-minded people of Earth. When this revelation comes to light, our hero questions his true mission and purpose.
The film initially separates itself from other Superman adaptations by throwing audiences straight into the jam-packed action of an already established world and group of characters. This is both a positive and negative, as while it is refreshing not to have everything rehashed, the opening feels a little disjointed and overwhelming as a result. However, once the narrative establishes itself, the film confidently finds its footing and stays there for the remaining duration. Gunn’s Superman is lighthearted, yet incredibly poignant. It features the same kind of comic book whimsy and colourful cosmic fun that he injected into the Guardians of the Galaxy films. By staying true to the source material, Gunn embraces the campiness of it all, and is able to create a wonderfully vibrant and fun tone. It’s a stark contrast to Zack Snyder’s darker take, and while his work shouldn’t be discredited, this feels more like the Superman that we all know and love. Gunn expertly complements any silliness with weighty emotional stakes and a full, realised version of the character. He looks at Superman as not just a god-like hero, but a man who is vulnerable and relatable. For example, this Superman bleeds, and his adoptive parents will always see him as their little boy, not a superhero. The director imbues humanity into Superman, focusing on his morals and goodness, which is a message that couldn’t be more timely. Corenswet is perfectly cast in the lead, and brings a cheeky charm and charisma to the iconic role. His chemistry with Brosnahan is electric, and the relationship between Clark and Lois has a realistic and complicated dynamic that we haven’t seen previously. Hoult is deliciously vile and evil as Luthor, dialling up pettiness and disdain to the max. While the film is clearly intended to be part of a larger universe, background characters - such as the Justice Gang - make for fun little additions that don’t take the focus away from the central conflict (Edi Gathegi’s Mr. Terrific being the standout of the group). For all the animal lovers out there, Krypto the Superdog also steals the show as Superman’s four-legged, furry and overly excitable sidekick.
Superman is a soaring and triumphant comic book adaptation that deeply understands its source material and unabashedly celebrates the massive heart of its main hero. Fans can rest assured that Gunn clearly knows what he is doing, with the film promising a hopeful future for the new DC Universe.
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Superman is screening in cinemas now. For tickets and more info, click here.