After years of anticipation and the weight of a universe on its shoulders, James Gunn’s Superman has finally arrived. It’s a film tasked with the monumental job of not only reintroducing the world’s most iconic hero but launching the entire DCU. The good news is that it largely succeeds, delivering a vibrant, hopeful, and deeply comic-accurate vision that feels like a breath of fresh, primary-colored air. However, this promising new dawn is clouded by a turbulent flight path, with a cluttered story and choppy execution preventing it from achieving true cinematic greatness.
At its core, the film is anchored by two phenomenal lead performances. David Corenswet is a revelation as the Man of Steel. He embodies the kindness, strength, and unwavering optimism that has defined the character for decades, proving to be the perfect Superman for a new generation. Opposite him, Nicholas Hoult delivers a charismatic, cunning, and genuinely menacing Lex Luthor. Their dynamic is electric, even when the grander plot mechanics surrounding Lex’s plan feel muddled and underdeveloped, culminating in city-wide destruction that feels more obligatory than integral to his core scheme.
Where the film soars is in its world-building and tone. Gunn drenches his Metropolis in a bright, optimistic palette that stands in glorious contrast to the muted tones of recent years. The script is packed with sharp, witty humor and countless references that will have DC die-hards grinning from ear to ear. This is best exemplified by the scene-stealing supporting cast. Edi Gathegi’s Mr. Terrific is a standout, delivering some of the film’s best lines with effortless cool, while Nathan Fillion’s Guy Gardner is the hilariously abrasive Green Lantern we’ve always wanted to see. And in a movie filled with heroes, it’s a super-powered dog who walks away with the entire show. Krypto is an absolute delight, stealing every single scene he’s in.
Unfortunately, the film’s greatest strength—its packed roster of characters—is also its greatest weakness. In the rush to establish the wider DCU, the central narrative becomes convoluted and overstuffed. The editing is often frantic, jumping from one scene to the next without allowing suspense or emotional momentum to build. This narrative clutter comes at a cost, with key characters like Lois Lane feeling short-changed and underdeveloped. The story itself, while ambitious, is overthought; a more concise and elegantly plotted script would have allowed its powerful themes to resonate more deeply.
Several creative choices also miss the mark. After being heavily featured in marketing, the opening sequence of Kal-El’s crash to Earth feels tired and robs the moment of its impact. The CGI is a mixed bag, stunning in some moments and distractingly artificial in others. More puzzling is the unnecessary change to Jor-El and Lara’s motivation for sending their son away, a deviation from canon that adds little thematic value. Similarly, while Pa Kent has one powerfully effective moment, the film’s portrayal of Superman’s adoptive parents as gruff, redneck-coded figures lacks the essential warmth and heart that anchors Clark’s humanity. One can’t help but feel the filmmakers should have aimed for the gold standard set by the Kents in the Lois & Clark TV series. Even the iconic “S” shield reveal feels strangely subdued, lacking the cinematic punch that made the 1978 original’s opening titles so unforgettable.
Despite these significant flaws, Superman gets more right than it gets wrong. James Gunn has given the DCU a solid foundation and, most importantly, given us a Superman to believe in again. It’s a messy, overeager, but ultimately charming and heartfelt blockbuster that successfully charts a new course for DC. While it doesn’t quite stick the landing, it’s a powerful first step in the right direction.
Score: 7/10
Verdict: A solid and hopeful start for the new DCU. While it never reaches the soaring heights of the Christopher Reeve classic, it confidently establishes itself as the second-best Superman film to date.