Forget origin stories and Smallville flashbacks—James Gunn’s Superman bursts onto the 2025 screen with no hand-holding, no hesitation, and no cape-fluttering nostalgia overdose.
Instead, we meet David Corenswet’s Superman already airborne—an established global protector grappling with trust, power, and purpose in a fractured modern world.
With Rachel Brosnahan’s sharp and grounded Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult’s calculating, Elon-esque Lex Luthor as corporate villain supreme, the cast delivers a spirited dance of wit, tension, and charisma that redefines the age-old triangle.
Gunn Paints the Sky with Color—and Satire
James Gunn doesn’t just revive Superman—he restyles him. With a script that blends comic-book joy with political bite, the film is awash in quirky details: robot assistants, alien cameos, and the surprisingly adorable Krypto the Superdog.
But under the candy-colored surface lies commentary on media manipulation, immigrant identity, and the authoritarian temptation of unchecked power—echoes of real-world headlines cleverly woven into Metropolis mayhem.
While critics point to tonal overload and some unpolished CGI in the third act, many agree: Superman is finally fun again—and meaningful.
The Critics Chime In: A Mixed Cape of Praise and Pokes
Business Insider hails it as “silly and heartfelt”, with potential to challenge Marvel’s grip if the momentum holds.
LOS40 praises its fearless break from the brooding Snyderverse: “Superman flies again—and isn’t afraid to smile doing it.”
VG Norway, however, calls it “over-ironic and narratively tangled,” questioning Gunn’s tonal tightrope walk.
Still, audiences seem to love what they see. One viral X (formerly Twitter) post declares: “David Corenswet is Superman for a new generation. No debate.”
Heroic Hits & Misses: A Breakdown
| Element | Takeaway |
|---|---|
| David Corenswet | A pitch-perfect Superman—charming, conflicted, and unmistakably heroic. |
| Lois Lane | Brosnahan gives Lois steel, smarts, and sincerity. A true anchor. |
| Lex Luthor | Hoult’s villain is Silicon Valley meets Silver Age—deliciously cunning. |
| Justice Gang & Krypto | Scene-stealers, adding depth, humor, and heart to the world. |
| Politics & Ethics | Real-world themes give the story weight without dragging the fun. |
| Visual FX & Story Flow | Energetic but cluttered—particularly in the overstuffed final act. |
