Superman (2025): A Bold, Refreshing Take on the Man of Steel

6/10 Stars - But Here's Why I'll Watch It Again [SPOILERS]

Let me start by saying this: despite my 6-star rating, I genuinely enjoyed James Gunn's Superman and I'm already planning my second viewing. This review is for those who loved what Gunn brought to the table and want to celebrate what works in this ambitious reboot. Yes, the film has its shortcomings (which I'll address in a separate review), but there's so much here to appreciate.

The Kryptonian Twist That Changes Everything

The film's masterstroke is the revelation that Jor-El and Lara sent Kal-El to Earth not as its protector, but as its conqueror. This isn't just a plot twist - it's a fundamental reimagining of Superman's mythology that works brilliantly. When Lex Luthor broadcasts the complete message showing Superman's parents ordering him to subjugate Earth and eliminate opposition, it recontextualizes everything we know about the character.

What makes this twist sing is how it emphasizes the power of choice. Superman could follow his biological parents' directive - he certainly has the power to rule Earth. Instead, he chooses to protect it. This speaks volumes about Jonathan and Martha Kent's influence and the values they instilled in their adopted son. It's nature versus nurture played out on a cosmic scale, and it's absolutely brilliant.

(And yes, the #SecretHarem crowd is going to have a field day with the "conquer Earth" directive - expect a thousand NSFW fanfics by next week!)

This setup is pure gold for future films. The groundwork for a General Zod storyline practically writes itself. Please, DC, whatever you do, DO NOT RETCON THIS. It's too good to waste.

Finally, No Origin Story!

Thank you, James Gunn, for understanding what every comic book fan already knows: we don't need another origin story for Superman, Batman, or Spider-Man. We know how Clark Kent became Superman. We've seen it multiple times. Instead, Gunn drops us right into year three of Superman's career, at a pivotal moment when his actions are being questioned on a global scale.

This approach respects both the audience's intelligence and time. We get a fully-formed Superman dealing with complex moral and political situations, not another farm boy discovering he can fly. The film trusts us to fill in the blanks and focuses on telling a new story instead of retreading familiar ground.

Rachel Brosnahan IS Lois Lane

If you loved Brosnahan in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, prepare to fall in love with her all over again as Lois Lane. She brings a hard-boiled edge to the role while maintaining an almost supernatural calm in the face of chaos. There's a scene where she's literally surrounded by destruction, and she handles it with the composure of someone who's seen it all before.

Her chemistry with David Corenswet's Clark Kent/Superman is electric. Their relationship feels authentic and lived-in from the first scene. Brosnahan's Lois is smart, fearless, and unwilling to let Clark off the hook when he makes questionable decisions. This casting was inspired, and I can't wait to see more of her in future DCU films.

A Living, Breathing Superhero Universe

Some critics complained about the film being overstuffed with characters, but I saw it differently. This is a world where metahumans are commonplace, not extraordinary. I loved the casual way the film treats superhero activity - there's literally a scene where Superman and Lois are enjoying hot cocoa while the Justice Gang battles an interdimensional creature in the background. It's treated as Tuesday in Metropolis.

This approach makes the DCU feel lived-in and real. Guy Gardner, Hawkgirl, Mister Terrific, Metamorpho - they're not distractions, they're proof that this universe extends beyond Superman. And cleverly, most of the threats connect back to Lex Luthor's master plan anyway, so it's not as scattered as some claim.

Krypto: Agent of Chaos and Perfect Comic Relief

Krypto the Superdog is an absolute delight. Far from being just a cute sidekick, he's a genuine agent of chaos who provides perfectly timed destructive comic relief throughout the film. Watching this superpowered pooch navigate Earth customs (or completely fail to) delivers consistent laughs without undermining the story's stakes.

But Krypto serves a bigger purpose - he opens the door to Superman's extended Kryptonian family. The reveal about his cousin being a self-absorbed party girl who spends her time at raves on planets with red suns is brilliant. This isn't your traditional Supergirl - it's a refreshing update that promises a fascinating counterpoint to Corenswet's goody-two-shoes farm boy in future films. The contrast between Clark's Kansas values and his cousin's interstellar party lifestyle practically writes itself.

Visual Spectacle Done Right

The action sequences deliver everything you'd expect from a modern Superman film. The Boravia intervention, the battles with Ultraman, the kaiju attack on Metropolis - each set piece is distinct and memorable. The visual effects team understood the assignment, giving us a Superman who moves with both power and grace.

The pacing of these action scenes strikes the perfect balance. They're long enough to satisfy but never overstay their welcome. Gunn knows when to let the spectacle breathe and when to push forward with the story.

Honorable mention goes to the bot farm monkeys - a delightfully absurd detail that's pure Gunn. I spent way too long looking to see if one of them was typing out Hamlet. They didn't, but the fact that it would've felt perfectly at home in this movie says everything about Gunn's willingness to embrace the weird.

My Verdict

If you're a Superman fan, this is absolutely a must-see movie. It respects the character's legacy while boldly pushing him in new directions. If you're looking for a solid summer blockbuster to enjoy with popcorn and friends, you'll find plenty to love here.

Yes, there are issues that prevent this from being the definitive Superman film, enough to knock it down to 6 stars in my book. If you're on the fence, you might want to wait for streaming. But those shortcomings (which I'll address in a separate review) don't diminish what Gunn got right.

This Superman has heart, hope, and the courage to try something new with an 80-year-old character. In an era of safe, formulaic superhero films, that alone makes it worth celebrating. I'll go back for round two when it comes to streaming, and I suspect I'll enjoy it even more the second time around.