Superman 2025 Soars with Critics — But Some Fans Still Think James Gunn Went Too Cartoonish

James Gunn’s Superman Takes Flight — And Fans Are Buzzing

Let’s be honest: nobody expected Superman to come back this bright, colorful, and full of humor.

After years of the DC Universe lurking in shadows and rainstorms, James Gunn’s Superman (2025) has finally landed in front of critics — and the buzz is flying higher than a speeding bullet.

Outlets like Variety and Collider are praising Gunn’s film as a much-needed jolt of hope and fun for DC fans who’ve been drowning in gloom.

But while critics are mostly on board, a slice of the fandom — especially some Zack Snyder diehards — are debating whether Gunn went a little too Saturday-morning-cartoon.

David Corenswet Wins Critics Over — Krypto Steals the Show

One thing almost everyone agrees on: David Corenswet absolutely looks the part.

Critics from Vulture, The Hollywood Reporter, and Screen Rant are calling him “the best Superman since Christopher Reeve,” praising his old-school charm and true-boy-scout energy.

His chemistry with Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane is earning rave reviews, with many saying this duo finally brings back the iconic Superman-Lois spark.

And in pure James Gunn fashion, Krypto the Superdog reportedly shows up and steals several scenes. As Collider put it:

“Krypto might just be the MCU-level scene stealer DC has been waiting for.”

Still, not everyone’s buying Gunn’s comedic spin.

The Hollywood Reporter points out:

“This Superman smiles, jokes, and saves kittens—but sometimes it feels like we’re watching The Lego Moviein a cape.”

Superman’s High Scores — And High Stakes for the DCU

Despite the few skeptics, the numbers don’t lie:

• Superman (2025) is holding strong between 84% and 87% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, which would make it the highest-rated Superman film since Christopher Reeve’s 1978 classic.

• It’s significantly outperforming recent DC outings like Batman v Superman (29%) and Justice League (39% pre-Snyder Cut).

And this isn’t just another Superman flick — it’s the first official entry in James Gunn’s new DCU: Gods and Monsters.

If audiences show up, Gunn’s vision could finally unify DC. But if the humor and bright colors don’t land with hardcore fans, it could send Warner Bros. back to the drawing board.

As Screen Rant put it:

“Gunn’s Superman could either save the DCU — or confirm that fans only want their heroes dark and tortured.”

So… Is Superman Finally Back?

Here’s my take:

James Gunn’s Superman might be the hero DC desperately needs — or the start of another fan civil war.

David Corenswet looks perfect in the cape, and I’m all for Superman smiling again after a decade of DC movies that felt like therapy sessions in spandex. But I get why some fans are cautious. Gunn’s vibe definitely flirts with Saturday morning cartoon territory, and that’s a gamble for DC’s darker legacy.

Still, with critics this happy and Gunn at the wheel, it finally feels like Superman might be flying in the right direction again. And even if some fans are clutching their pearls… at least people are talking about Superman again.

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