The superhero is still in cinemas. Through sheer desperation we've had the continuation of Marvel and DC film storylines as both try to win themselves back into public favor. In summer of 2025 Marvel is presenting the third attempt at the Fantastic Four, with all that modern Disney-Marvel entails: it's another alternative take in a world of alternate takes. DC is in the same footing, except they're busy trying to start a film franchise rather than keep one from flatlining. With former Marvel director James Gunn at the helm, how else can DC begin than by starting with the strongest and most iconic character.

Superman is honestly a mess. Its goal is to emulate and revive the character after the mixed reception to the Snyderverse, so it's shooting to be like the classic Reeves incarnation instead. And just like how the theme for this movie is an blander (but louder) mix of the original theme, this movie is a pretty bland movie failing to echo characterizations long past.

Personal Score

this criteria uses the DecentFilms rating formula.

Letter-Grade Recommendability: C
Artistic/Entertainment Value - ★★★☆☆
Moral/Spiritual Value - +1
Age Appropriateness: Teens & Up

It's only fair to critique this movie on its priorities, so that is how I'll approach it. There are obvious goals that the film sets out to check off: 1) set the characterization of Superman and the others going forward, and 2) present the theme that Superman represents. These are things that other iterations all do, but here they eclipse everything else — plot and all — in importance and attention.

Superman has the most vulnerable version of the character I have seen. The intent is obviously to make him more relatable, more presentable as a human being and not just a Herculean figure. In true Gunn style there is a lot of comedy around ruffling Supe's feathers and drama pulled from when he gets angry. And he does gets very angry in this movie, that righteous fury used against him by his enemies on at least one occasion. According to the opening crawl he's only been flying around Metropolis for three years, and despite already being part of the Justice League (technically "Justice Gang") his inexperience is emphasized, making him struggle a surprising amount for someone of his caliber.

These traits are clearly to make him easier to write, because if he wasn't so rash or pervious to damage he would be much harder to build conflict for. I don't believe that these fits of anger are very becoming of Superman, a man whose self-control is a core virtue. The "world of cardboard" speech from Justice League Unlimited is important because it shows the restraint he exercises for the sake of others, and the composed delivery of older versions emphasized a man who uses his strength carefully and deliberately. It makes the flashes of exasperation and anger shown here feel like tantrums, and it makes the character and his power feel very weak.

I drive this point home because composure aside I did like this take on Superman. I think David Corenswet did a good job acting with what he was given, and the constant heroics he performs are incredibly refreshing in a genre that has slipped into sci-fi military units rather than peacekeepers and first responders. Going as far as to save dogs and a squirrel from raging kaiju went a long way toward selling this Superman as a hero, and I appreciated that a lot. I do think his suit could be simplified a bit more, but it was also a welcome return to form.

Superman gets a lot of scrutiny because he's the star, but the other heroes and side characters get considerable screentime as well so I'll quickly cover them. Lois is almost interesting, but her relationship with Superman is presented very shallow; the controversy regarding him should have put their relationship in jeopardy, especially since they were already at a weak point beforehand, but then they gloss over it and it never escalates or gets resolved. Jimmy Olsen plays a great comic relief with all of the charm of his comic counterpart, and his investigations play a large part in uncovering Luthor's scheme. The "Justice Gang", clearly waiting for more popular members before calling themselves a League, are a mixed bag: Guy Gardner was great as current leader and jerk, Mr Terrific tried a little too hard, and Hawkgirl was a nothing at best and annoying at worst. This is a crowded movie, and that means a lot of people are left underdeveloped or merely service the plot, which is unfortunate.

As for plot, this movie is of the new breed where story and plot are two different subjects. The plot is quite messy, juggling a geopolitical scheme with a personal antagonism of Superman, and in the process of including loads of spectacle the finale feels very underbaked. The story, on the other hand, is relatively simple: is Superman defined by his alien heritage or his human upbringing? The movie does this by throwing Krypton under the bus^[1] in the first half and then hurriedly shoving the Kents into the second half to build Superman up. It's rushed, and while I do like the Kents here they have so little to say in the film that I didn't believe their importance in Clark's life. His proclamation to Luthor of being human just like everyone else only worked for me because of all of the emotion the character had been putting out, and that resulted in what felt like a hollow declaration.

Speaking of Luthor, I did like his characterization here. He's envious of Superman to an extremely petty degree and he admits it. His scheme lends itself to what is very clearly a Hollywood-ized take on the Israeli-Palestine conflict, with Lex secretly funding and aiding the overtly muslim country in invading the brave Israel-presenting country. This is no Superman vs The Elite; any claims of neutrality or subtlety are out the window, especially when Hawkgirl mirrors The Elite's actions to some extent. Despite the obvious parallels I did find Lex Luthor to be very fun as a villain and I would like to seem him in a better film.

I saved the presentation of the movie for last, because this is the least negative aspect. I think the action and heroics are very fun, Superman in particular fights like an old-school comic book character with spins and ragdolls that can make your head spin. The special effects, though poorly implemented on a technical level, are fairly easy to gloss over when the actions on-screen are already unbelievable. Some sections drag, like the escape from the pocket dimension, but others stayed just right. The worst scenes were when Gunn really dipped into his style of "blare a popular song over an over-choreographed fight scene" and those did suck, notably Mr. Terrific's big moment; Gunn also brought the Marvel tendency to undercut tension with humor, which was a bit distracting especially when Superman and Lois's conversation is eclipsed by the weird fight outside.

The more I thought about this movie, the less I like it. It has its moments, sure, but it's a pretty mixed package that doesn't deliver a very memorable story. Despite the post-credits scenes not lending to sequels or a larger cinematic universe, DC has already announced a ten-year plan for upcoming films and shows in a new cinematic universe. Neither Marvel or DC are willing to slow down or take a break, and with that I expect more bland spectacle from the giants for years to come.

^[1] I've been told that they admit the message was tampered with, but the movie doubles down on it being real and Superman believes it to the end, so it is effectively real.