In Theaters and Digital

These are interesting times we live in right now. Although it’s been 12 years since the last Superman solo entry, we’ve rarely been given a break from some iteration of him up to and including the year of DC Studios’ latest reinvention. With little to no break this ultimately leads to comparisons, for better or worse.

James Gunn is responsible for one of my favourite comic book adaptations yet, with Guardians of the Galaxy knocking my socks off. I had little, if any, doubt he could deliver a take of big blue that could satisfy upon seeing the first teaser trailer. Well, he has delivered all right, and, in a word, I am surprised.

Gunn wastes no time rehashing origin stories and, after a pulp serial type intro text (aka Star Wars), plants the audience smack bang in the middle of a situation where Superman is bloodied and beaten. Within minutes, the story starts slamming new characters and multitudes of tones on you that never let up. And therein lies my greatest issue with the sum total. There is everything and the kitchen sink thrown into this story. I think it was smart to eschew the well-trodden exposition of Superman’s lore and main characters.

We know who they are. There are thoughtful conversations and questions asked, there are accepted realities within this universe that allow for outlandish events, there is destruction and carnage. There is emotion and interpersonal conflict. And there is Gunn’s ever-present sardonic humour. But you know what was missing? Consequence. Yes, bad things happen. Yes, there is death. But by the end of the movie, no one character, especially Superman, has grown or changed in any appreciable way. There are few moments to reflect, (the exception being a wonderful scene with Pa Kent), but no actions improved upon or changed to any great effect. It makes the characters reactions cartoonish and almost flippant. There is no real sense of danger or mortality. Superman witnesses a murder, is greatly affected by it in the moment (wonderfully acted too), but by the end of the film, where he has faced the murderer, it’s not even acknowledged! Really?

I think a lot of this can be boiled down to the pacing. It is too breakneck, a lot of characters thrown at you (and if you aren’t well-versed in the comics, good luck keeping up with them all). Without beats for the characters to take a breath, and react like people would, it reduces the effect of some wonderful moments or dangers presented.

The cast are all perfect. Every one of them. Corenswet is a fantastic Superman. Charismatic, endearing, vulnerable. Brosnahan may be my new favourite Lois Lane. Holt shows promise as Luthor that the writing, at times, undermines. And all the supporting cast kill it in there respecting roles. They are a fun group of people to watch and show signs of what they’re capable of delivering to a one (when the script lets them). They make this an enjoyable ride.

And that’s where I will leave this spoiler free review, filmgoers. Superman is an enjoyable movie. Light and firmly embracing its comic book roots. It gets enough right, navigating through expectations and comparisons, to deliver a fun Superman story. How it sets itself apart from all that it follows I am less thrilled about. Everything is in there to make it something rousing, but its lack of impact on its own characters unfortunately leaked off the screen to me.

MPAA Rating: PG-13.
Runtime: 129 mins
Director: James Gunn
Writer: James Gunn; Jerry Siegel
Cast: David Corenswet; Alan Tudyk; Grace Chan
Genre: Action | Adventure | Sci-fi
Tagline: Look Up
Memorable Movie Quote: "Your choices, your actions, that's what makes you who you are."
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Official Site: https://www.superman.com/
Release Date: July 11, 2025
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date:
Synopsis: Superman must reconcile his alien Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing as reporter Clark Kent. As the embodiment of truth, justice and the human way he soon finds himself in a world that views these as old-fashioned.