Superman (2025)

Release Date: July 11, 2025
Director: James Gunn
Starring: David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult, Skyler Gisondo, Wendell Pierce, Isabela Merced, Nathan Fillion
Runtime: 140 minutes
Genre: Superhero / Action / Adventure

OK—admission time. I decided to check out Superman because it’s been plastered everywhere lately. James Gunn this, new DC Universe that… and honestly, I was curious to see where they went with it.

And you know what? It’s actually pretty solid.

“If you're curious how this compares to other recent franchise revivals, check out my Jurassic World Rebirth review.”

Visually, this film is stunning. As soon as it popped on the superscreen, I was like: “Damn—that’s Superman.” The opening scenes soar over Metropolis with sunlit skyscrapers and cosmic shots that feel big and cinematic. It looks expensive in all the right ways.

As the movie unfolds, you slowly get to learn about Superman’s backstory again—Krypton’s destruction, baby Kal-El arriving on Earth, growing up as Clark Kent, yada yada. I thought the film did a surprisingly good job of reintroducing the lore without feeling like the same old origin story on repeat. It feels fresh, even though we’ve seen it a million times.

David Corenswet as Superman? I was genuinely impressed. He’s passionate, has comedic timing, and looks perfect in the cape. With all the talk about him playing an immigrant Superman, I think he lets his work do the talking—and he does a good job. He’s heroic but human, and brings a nice warmth to the role.

That said… I’ll never understand how all Clark Kent does is put on some glasses and suddenly nobody recognizes he’s Superman. It’s crazy to me. LMAO.

Anyway—the new Lois Lane, played by Rachel Brosnahan, also worked for me. I didn’t know much about her going in, but her chemistry with Corenswet was strong. Their banter felt sharp and old-school, the way Lois and Clark should be.

Now let’s get to the dog.

Krypto. Look—he’s cute and has some funny moments, but he’s also annoying as shit sometimes. Gunn uses him for comedic relief, but it undercuts a few of the serious scenes. I wasn’t mad at it… but it felt slightly jarring. A flying dog chewing through bad guys can only be so serious.

Plot-wise, I thought it was decent and definitely easy to follow. Nicholas Hoult plays Lex Luthor, and while he’s a bit over-the-top in some scenes, I enjoyed his interpretation. He’s smarmy, genius-level manipulative, and feels like a true modern corporate villain. Some of his rants about alien immigrants and power dynamics hit surprisingly hard, which I wasn’t expecting.

Overall? This movie does a great job introducing Superman—even if you’ve been living under a rock and never seen a single Superman film. It’s a perfect entry point for new DC fans, and James Gunn manages to blend spectacle with some genuine character work.

Plot Recap: A Superman Who Feels Human (Plus a Flying Dog)

Superman (2025) kicks off with Krypton’s destruction and baby Kal-El’s escape to Earth. Gunn speeds through the origin, dropping us into a world where Superman’s already active in Metropolis. It’s clever storytelling—no sloggy retread of scenes we’ve all seen 100 times.

Clark Kent’s juggling his Daily Planet job while the world debates whether Superman is a hero or a threat. Early scenes cleverly tie Superman into modern geopolitical tensions, showing him intervening in global crises and sparking debates about how much power one alien should have. It feels a lot more contemporary than past versions.

Meanwhile, Lex Luthor is orchestrating a brilliant PR war, leaking footage of Superman’s interventions and painting him as a dangerous alien interloper. There’s a media circus vibe that feels very “2025,” full of viral clips and talking-head pundits.

Krypto appears early as Superman’s loyal companion. He’s both a wingman and a comic liability, smashing through windows and helping Clark escape close calls. He even gets his own heroic beats in the finale, though some of it’s so cartoonish I almost felt like I was watching Looney Tunes DC Edition.

Eventually, Lex unleashes Metallo (Skyler Gisondo), a cybernetic weapon fueled by Kryptonite. The film cleverly gives Metallo a sympathetic backstory—he’s a wounded soldier manipulated by Lex—which adds some depth. The final act descends into chaos in Metropolis with skyscrapers falling, civilians running, and Superman desperately trying to protect everyone. It’s classic Superman mayhem—but staged with impressive clarity.

There’s humor throughout, but Gunn largely keeps the film focused on Clark’s struggle to belong in a world that’s both inspired and terrified by him. It’s a solid balance—most of the time.

Cast & Characters: Corenswet Shines, Brosnahan Impresses, Hoult Goes Big

David Corenswet completely sold me as Superman. He’s got that genuine, humble vibe that makes Superman more than just a big muscle dude. He brings charm, vulnerability, and a quiet humor that’s refreshing. He’s definitely not trying to copy Henry Cavill or Christopher Reeve. He’s his own Superman—and it works.

Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane is one of the film’s standouts. She’s sharp, fearless, and her quick-fire dialogue with Clark gives the film great energy. I loved how she’s written as an equal partner rather than just Superman’s love interest. She’s the Lois we deserve.

Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor is a wildcard. Some moments are genuinely intense—like when he’s giving chilling monologues about “alien threats” in corporate boardrooms. Other times, he’s a bit hammy, almost like he wandered in from a Bond villain audition. But it’s fun to watch. I also appreciated the film hinting that Lex’s motivations are rooted in jealousy and insecurity, not just pure evil.

Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific was a pleasant surprise for me. I thought his dry sense of humor worked really well, and he actually helped carry some of the action scenes. He’s calm and intelligent but has this subtle sarcastic edge that gave the film some extra spark. He’s not just there as background hero filler—he’s a legit presence in the ensemble.

Wendell Pierce as Perry White is pitch-perfect. He barks orders, cracks jokes, and basically runs the Daily Planet with the vibe of an exasperated dad dealing with hyper kids. Loved him.

And then… there’s Krypto. He’s cute, he’s funny, but sometimes he’s like a hyperactive toddler on a sugar rush. He’ll either win you over or drive you crazy.

Public Feedback: Mostly Positive, But Hardcore Fans Are Split

So far, public feedback has been leaning positive, but it’s definitely not unanimous.

The visuals are getting rave reviews. People love the bright, hopeful tone and how Gunn’s direction makes Metropolis look both retro and futuristic. There’s buzz about some of the flying sequences being the best Superman shots ever put on film.

David Corenswet is winning fans over big time. Even skeptics are admitting he’s a strong Superman who balances heroism with humility. Some folks online are even calling him “the definitive Superman of this generation,” though I’m not quite ready to go that far.

But of course… the Snyder crowd is not thrilled. Hardcore fans who loved the darker, more brooding vibe of Man of Steel and Batman v Superman are complaining this new film feels too light, too comedic, or “corny.” Social media is flooded with debates about whether Superman should be serious and tortured or smiling and hopeful. It’s classic fandom drama.

There’s also chatter about whether the movie is safe. A few critics feel Gunn played it conservative, delivering a crowd-pleaser instead of pushing the character into new territory. That might be fair—but honestly, I’d rather have a solid Superman film than another existential crisis marathon.

“Since its release, Superman (2025) has sparked even more debate online — some calling it the perfect reset, others saying it’s DC playing it too safe. Either way, it’s keeping the fandom loud.”

Box office-wise, the movie’s off to a strong start. Early estimates put the global opening at around $160 million, signaling a decent future for Gunn’s DC Universe.

Controversy: Tone Debates, DC Fatigue, and Yes—The Glasses

No massive scandals here, but there’s definitely some controversy bubbling.

The big one is the tone shift. Plenty of fans are thrilled to finally have a Superman who’s hopeful and fun again. But there’s a vocal minority who think Gunn swung the pendulum too far from the darkness of the Snyder era. Some fans are basically saying Superman shouldn’t be cracking jokes and rescuing kittens.

Then there’s DC fatigue. People are exhausted by endless reboots, and some went into this movie skeptical. Even though Gunn insists this is the true start of a brand-new DCU, casual audiences still see the DC logo and wonder, “Wait, didn’t they just reboot this stuff last year?” It’s an uphill battle for brand trust.

And let’s talk about the Clark Kent glasses debate. Once again, Twitter is melting down over how nobody recognizes Superman when he’s wearing glasses. There’s memes flying everywhere. Gunn even throws a meta-joke about it into the movie—Clark tries removing his glasses and looking serious, and Lois just rolls her eyes. I cracked up.

Finally, Krypto is weirdly polarizing. Some fans love him. Others think he’s a tonal nightmare who belongs in a Saturday morning cartoon. The dog’s causing more controversy than Lex Luthor, which says a lot.

Final Verdict: A Bright, Entertaining Superman That Mostly Soars

All in all, Superman (2025) is a decent watch—and honestly, I’m a bit surprised by all the feedback calling it one of the best Superman films ever. That might be a stretch for me. But it’s definitely a solid movie.

The visuals are gorgeous. Corenswet makes a strong Superman. Lois and Lex bring great energy. And the film does a stellar job reintroducing Superman’s world for newcomers.

But there’s some tonal clash. The dog stuff is fun but occasionally annoying. And while I enjoyed the humor, part of me wishes the film had leaned into some grittier stakes.

Would I rewatch it? Yeah—especially for Corenswet’s performance and the visuals. It’s a Superman film that feels fresh without being cynical, which is rare these days.

If you’re looking for an accessible Superman film with solid entertainment value? It’s worth a watch.
If you’re expecting a dark, brooding DC epic? This probably isn’t your Superman.

Either way, James Gunn proves he knows how to make Superman fly—even if Krypto’s chewing on the scenery.

Final Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (7/10)

A bright, fun Superman reboot with stunning visuals and solid performances, though the comedic bits sometimes clash with the epic stakes. Still, it’s a worthy watch for fans new and old.

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