Hey buddy, eyes up here.
It’s hard to overstate just how much was riding on Superman — not just as a movie, but as a full-on resurrection for DC on the big screen. This isn’t just another reboot. This is the foundation stone for James Gunn’s new DC Universe — a hard reset following the collapse of the DCEU. And somehow, against all odds, Superman delivers. Not perfectly. But joyfully, powerfully, and with a beating heart that’s impossible not to root for.
This is not another origin story. Gunn skips the tired beats and throws us straight into Superman’s third year on the job, right in the middle of a chaotic, high-stakes week. Within the first minute, we’re in it — no time wasted. It’s fast, episodic, and bursting with energy, almost like a Saturday morning cartoon brought to life. Think Justice League or Superman: The Animated Series, but with modern cinematic scale.
And honestly? That’s exactly what we needed.
David Corenswet steps into the cape with sincerity, charm, and that near-impossible balance of power and warmth. He’s not brooding. He’s not questioning whether humanity deserves saving. He just is Superman — and it works. He’s the perfect lead for this kind of story: hopeful, grounded, and able to lift a rocket ship and the spirit of the entire audience in one scene.
Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane? Electric. Sharp, funny, relentless, and overflowing with chemistry alongside Corenswet. This is the Lois & Clark dynamic we’ve been waiting for — playful, passionate, believable. And Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor is straight-up feral. He’s not some suave billionaire. He’s petty. He’s cruel. He’s bitter and brilliant and always seething with rage. The tension between Lex and Superman crackles, and every scene between Hoult and Corenswet absolutely sings.
But what really makes the movie fly are the vibes. This universe is bright, weird, and alive. It’s not afraid of sci-fi. Superheroes aren’t hiding in shadows or being dissected by the government — they’re just part of daily life. Enter the Justice Gang: Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion), Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced), and Mr. Terrific (Edi Gathegi), all making memorable appearances. Yes, even the bowl cut works. Mr. Terrific in particular steals nearly every scene he’s in, with killer one-liners and effortless charisma.
And then there’s Krypto. Scene stealer. Heart melter. Certified MVP. As a dog dad, I felt personally attacked by how cute and heroic that dog was. Gunn has a gift for making us care about non-human characters (see: Rocket, Groot), and Krypto continues that trend beautifully. He’s not just comic relief — he’s a partner to Superman, and his presence adds real emotional weight. Dog lovers: this one’s for you.
The movie isn’t flawless. The first 20 minutes are a bit disjointed. It takes a while to lock into gear. Not every beat lands. But once it finds its rhythm — once it settles into its “day-in-the-life-of-Superman” structure — it soars. It’s episodic, sure, but that’s part of the charm. A new threat, a new challenge, a new corner of this colorful world to explore. It showcases Superman’s power in ways we haven’t really seen before — big, wild, joyous set pieces that remind you why he’s the first and greatest superhero.
It also nails the small stuff. Ma and Pa Kent — played not by big-name stars, but by two folks who actually feel like farmers from Kansas — are delightful. Pa Kent gives a speech that genuinely moved me. Ma Kent is funny as hell. These characters aren’t trying to win Oscars. They’re just real, and honest, and human. Exactly what Superman needs.
And maybe that’s what makes this movie special. It’s not cynical. It’s not overly serious. It’s not trying to deconstruct Superman — it’s trying to remind us why we loved him in the first place. It’s full of hope, friendship, and heart. And in a world that feels like it’s falling apart more often than not, that kind of story matters.
There are setups for future movies, of course — you don’t start a universe without planting a few seeds. But Superman isn’t obsessed with teasing sequels. It’s focused on this story, these characters, this moment. And that confidence pays off.
I can’t wait to see it again. I can’t wait to see where this universe goes. But more than anything, I’m just so glad we finally got a Superman movie that feels like this — joyful, inspiring, and unafraid to wear its heart, his undies (and its cape) on its sleeve.
Superman = 93/100