When Superman gets drawn into conflicts at home and abroad, his actions are questioned, giving tech billionaire Lex Luthor the opportunity to get the Man of Steel out of the way for good. Will intrepid reporter Lois Lane and Superman's four-legged companion, Krypto, be able to help him before it's too late?
(C) Warner Bros.
The film poses an intriguing question: How do you become a superhero in today’s age? In Superman, smartphones and social media aren’t just used to signal the time period. Instead, they’re woven into the story itself. It’s unsettling how closely the film mirrors real-world events, but James Gunn understands the titular character well enough to make it work. How? By bringing back hope. At the end of the day, Superman just wants to make the world a better place. Even when the film gets messy, the theme of hope remains strong and resonant.
And yet, it can be messy at times. The first half, in particular, continues the recent trend of exposition-heavy blockbusters, leaving us clamoring for the action to begin. To its credit, 'Superman' makes some unique choices to avoid this pitfall, but it never quite escapes it. The film sometimes feels like a sequel, with characters appearing as if we’re already familiar with them. A few Marvel-style quips try to mask this, but they don’t fully resolve the issue.
Fortunately, the second half picks up. It turns out Gunn had this all figured out. The film delivers several satisfying payoffs, both big and small, and even the jokes start to land more consistently. His signature eccentric style eventually clicks, especially once it settles into the Metropolis setting. The other worlds we visit feel ripped straight from the pages of a comic book, leaving you constantly in awe of the spectacle.
It helps that David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, and the entire cast are all at the top of their game. Whether it’s building tension, sparking romance, or drawing out emotional beats, they deliver. Nicholas Hoult, in another career highlight, leaves a strong impression as the villainous Lex Luthor.
I’m ecstatic to report that Superman jumpstarts the new era of the DC Universe on a strong note. It’s a big sci-fi adventure with a solid emotional core. Things are finally looking up again for DC. 3.5/5 ⭐
