Alright, folks, buckle up your Depends, because the Big Blue Boy Scout is back on the big screen! Yes, I know, another one. Just when you thought Hollywood had run out of ways to tell us how a guy from space can fly and shoot lasers from his eyes, James Gunn — the fellow who brought us those talking raccoons and trees — decided to give it a whirl. So, clear your calendars, or don’t, I’m not your boss. But if you’re looking for a bit of escapism from the crushing reality of your utility bills, this might just do the trick.
This time around, we’re not sitting through another origin story. Thank the good Lord for small mercies! We pick up with Superman already doing his thing, saving folks, being all noble and whatnot. But don’t think it’s all sunshine and rainbows; there’s a bald fella named Lex Luthor who still hates his guts, and apparently, some folks on Earth aren’t too keen on an alien being the most powerful guy around. So, it’s the usual superhero fare, but with some snazzy new faces and, dare I say, a bit of actual fun? Don’t tell anyone I said that.
Review by Ben Dover
Let me tell you, when I heard they were doing another Superman movie, my first thought was, “Great, more tights and flight, same old song and dance.” But I’ll be a monkey’s uncle, James Gunn actually pulled it off. This “Superman” isn’t wallowing in misery like some of the previous attempts. No, this one has a pulse, a bit of a twinkle in its eye, and for once, Superman actually seems to enjoy saving people instead of looking like he just stepped on a Lego. It’s almost like they remembered he’s supposed to be a beacon of hope, not a brooding emo kid. What’s wrong with these kids today, always so glum? Lighten up!
Now, don’t get me wrong, it’s still a superhero movie, so you’ve got your predictable explosions and punching, but there’s a surprising amount of heart here. David Corenswet as the Man of Steel is… well, he’s tall, he’s handsome, and he’s got that earnest, “aw shucks” quality that reminds me of the good ol’ days before everyone was so cynical. Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane is sharp as a tack and doesn’t just swoon every time he flies by, which is a nice change. And Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor? He’s not just a scheming businessman; he’s got a real chip on his shoulder, and you can practically taste the envy. It’s glorious and he steals every scene he is with just a touch of madness.
The movie does a decent job of not rehashing the origin story, which is a huge relief. We already know he’s from Krypton, he landed in Kansas, yada yada. This jumps right into the action, with Superman already established. They even throw in some other meta-humans, some I’ve never heard of. What is a Mister Terrific anyway? Sounds like a motivational speaker. But they keep the focus where it should be: on Clark and his struggles with being an alien savior while trying to maintain some semblance of a normal life. It’s got a bit of a political undercurrent, too, with people questioning if an alien should have so much power. Good, they should! Never trust an alien, I always say.
My only real gripe, and you knew I’d have one, is that sometimes the humor feels a little too… modern. All these quick quips and jokes, it’s like they’re trying to copy those Marvel movies. Can’t a superhero just be serious for a minute? And don’t even get me started on the soundtrack; some of it sounds like what those youngsters listen to on their headphones. Still, for a movie about a flying alien in a cape, it’s surprisingly watchable. You might even crack a smile, if you’re not as cranky as I am.
Starring
- David Corenswet as Clark Kent / Superman: The new Man of Steel. He’s got the chin, the height, and the wholesome demeanor that makes you almost forget he’s an alien. Almost.
- Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane: A feisty and intelligent reporter who knows Superman’s secret and doesn’t take any guff from anyone, alien or otherwise.
- Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor: The billionaire genius with a serious inferiority complex and an intense hatred for Superman. He’s genuinely menacing, which is a nice change from some of the cartoonish Luthors we’ve had.
- Isabela Merced as Kendra Saunders / Hawkgirl: A winged hero, because apparently, one flying person isn’t enough.
- Edi Gathegi as Michael Holt / Mister Terrific: A super-smart hero. He’s got some gizmos and a sense of humor. Still not sure what makes him “Terrific.”
- Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner / Green Lantern: One of the many Green Lanterns. This one’s a bit of a loudmouth, and frankly, a bit of a buffoon.
- Anthony Carrigan as Rex Mason / Metamorpho: A shapeshifting hero. Handy for cleaning up messes, I suppose.
- María Gabriela de Faría as Angela Spica / The Engineer: A hero who’s… engineered? I don’t know, she’s got some tech powers.
- Frank Grillo as Rick Flag Sr.: Some military type. Probably yells a lot.
- Wendell Pierce as Perry White: Clark and Lois’s boss at the Daily Planet. Still crankier than me, probably.
- Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen: The cub reporter and photographer. Still getting into trouble, I imagine.
- Sara Sampaio as Eve Teschmacher: Lex Luthor’s assistant, who probably has a better moral compass than her boss.
- Beck Bennett as Steve Lombard: Another Daily Planet reporter. Probably the one who drinks too much coffee.
- Mikaela Hoover as Cat Grant: Another Daily Planet type.
- Pruitt Taylor Vince as Jonathan Kent: Clark’s adoptive father. The one who taught him right from wrong, bless his heart.
- Neva Howell as Martha Kent: Clark’s adoptive mother. The one who probably still makes him wear clean underwear.
- Sean Gunn as Maxwell Lord: Another villain, or maybe just a rich jerk.
Special Effects
The special effects are, for the most part, pretty darn good. When Superman flies, it actually looks like he’s flying, not just hanging on some wires that are poorly hidden. There are some truly massive destruction sequences, as you’d expect when a guy can punch a building. I particularly enjoyed the big Kaiju fight, where you can see all the other so-called “heroes” getting excited about smashing a giant monster while Superman is just trying to make sure nobody gets squashed. It’s nice to see some focus on actually saving people amidst all the CGI chaos. Some folks have been complaining about Superman’s face looking a bit “uncanny” in some of the flying scenes. I don’t know what “uncanny” means, but to me, it looked fine. Maybe it’s that fancy “Leica Tri-Elmar lens” they kept yammering about. Who cares what lens it is, just make the dang thing look good!
Music
The music is a mix, which is what happens when you have two composers, John Murphy and David Fleming, working on the same film. You get some of the classic Superman themes woven in, which is always a good thing, because John Williams knew how to make a heroic tune. But then there’s some of this… modern stuff. “The Real Punk Rock”? “Punkrocker (feat. Iggy Pop)”? What is this, a concert for delinquents? Still, the orchestral scores for the action sequences are pretty good, getting your blood pumping, even if the rest of it sounds like something those kids listen to while skateboarding.
Rating
I’ll give it a 4.5 out of 5 stars. It’s not perfect, but for a superhero movie in this day and age, it’s a refreshing change.
Synopsis and Plot Breakdown
“Superman” (2025) kicks off three years after Clark Kent, raised in Smallville by his adoptive human parents Jonathan and Martha Kent, revealed himself to the world as the super-powered alien known as Superman. He’s been busy doing good deeds, stopping global conflicts, and generally being a shining example of heroism, much to the delight of the public, but also to the increasing suspicion and envy of some, notably the brilliant but utterly ruthless Lex Luthor. Lois Lane, Clark’s colleague at the Daily Planet, is not only aware of his secret identity but is also in a romantic relationship with him, adding a layer of personal stakes to his extraordinary life.
The main thrust of the plot involves Lex Luthor’s intricate plan to discredit and ultimately destroy Superman. Luthor, who openly despises what he perceives as Superman’s alien “otherness” and the public’s adoration of him, begins to manipulate global events. He secretly backs the nation of Boravia in a conflict with Jarhanpur, aiming to exploit the chaos and turn public opinion against metahumans. During this time, Superman, along with a fledgling team of other metahumans known as the Justice Gang—consisting of Guy Gardner (Green Lantern), Mister Terrific, and Hawkgirl—intervenes in various crises orchestrated by Luthor, including battling a genetically engineered kaiju unleashed in Metropolis.
A crucial turning point occurs when Luthor manages to infiltrate Superman’s Fortress of Solitude. He steals and fully decodes a damaged message left by Superman’s Kryptonian parents, Jor-El and Lara. To Superman’s horror, and the world’s outrage, the complete message reveals that his parents intended for him to conquer Earth and rebuild the Kryptonian race, not to be its protector. Luthor broadcasts this message globally, turning public sentiment against Superman and leading to his voluntary surrender to the government for questioning. Luthor, leveraging his political and corporate power, takes custody of the powerless Superman, imprisoning him in a pocket universe along with other enemies, including Superman’s super-powered dog, Krypto, and Metamorpho. He then forces Metamorpho to synthesize Kryptonite, further weakening Superman.
Meanwhile, Luthor’s assistant, Eve Teschmacher, who secretly has feelings for Jimmy Olsen, uncovers and leaks photographic evidence of Luthor’s scheme with Boravia. This revelation helps to clear Superman’s name. Superman, aided by Krypto and a desperate Metamorpho (whose baby son is being held hostage by Luthor), escapes the pocket universe. A climactic battle ensues between Superman and Ultraman (a clone created by Luthor) at a black hole rift generated by Luthor’s technology. Superman defeats Ultraman and, with Mister Terrific’s help, shuts down the reactor creating the rift, saving Metropolis. The Justice Gang is celebrated, Luthor and his cohorts are arrested, and all prisoners from the pocket universe are freed. The film concludes with Superman recovering in the Fortress of Solitude, watching old home videos with his human parents, reaffirming his chosen identity as Clark Kent, and a post-credits scene featuring the unexpected arrival of his cousin, Kara Zor-El, aka Supergirl.
5 Famous Quotes from the Movie
- “I’m as human as anyone. I love! I get scared! I wake up every morning and despite not knowing what to do, I put one foot in front of the other and I try to make the best choices I can! I screw up all the time! But that is being human! And that’s my greatest strength1!” – Superman
- “My envy is a calling! It is the sole hope for humanity! Because it is what has driven me to annihilate you!” – Lex Luthor
- “Hey, buddy. Eyes up here.” – Superman, to a giant Kaiju
- “Parents aren’t here to tell their children who they’re supposed to be. Your choices. Your actions. That’s what makes you who you are.” – Jonathan Kent
- “I’m not here to rule over anybody.” – Superman
5 Notes from the Movie
- This “Superman” marks the official launch of the new DC Universe (DCU) under James Gunn and Peter Safran, kicking off the “Gods and Monsters” chapter.
- Unlike previous iterations, the film skips Superman’s origin story, picking up with him already an established hero three years into his public career.
- The film introduces several other DC Comics characters, including Hawkgirl, Mister Terrific, Guy Gardner (Green Lantern), and Metamorpho, setting up a wider universe.
- There was much debate and discussion online about the appearance of Superman’s face in some of the flying scenes, with director James Gunn insisting no CGI was used on David Corenswet’s face, attributing the unique look to practical effects and the specific Leica Tri-Elmar lens used.
- The score, composed by John Murphy and David Fleming, incorporates elements of classic Superman themes while also introducing new, more contemporary sounds.
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