Superman (2025) Review

*Superman* (2025) - property of Warner Brothers and DC Comics

Superman, a comic book character created for DC comics in 1938 by two Jewish immigrants. This character has stood for “Truth, Justice, the American Way”, and more recently “a Better Tomorrow”. Why has this character lasted for nearly a century, and continues to be a symbol of hope for so many? This reviewer, a DC fan, has never been on the Superman bandwagon, much preferring the more anti-hero genre and Batman-verse. So why, when one Mr. James Gunn creates a movie about a man in red shorts and a bright smile; why was this one of my favorite movies of the summer? Also reigniting Hope, that the DC film universe has a better tomorrow in anything other than animation.

One of the standout parts of the film is the cast itself. When news of the cast came out, I knew, regardless of whether the film worked, the cast would sell the movie. Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, and Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner. Some of the most steady working actors in Hollywood right now. Could any of them open a movie as the headliner? Perhaps not. But when you see their name on the cast list, you know that you will be in for a good time, and they will deliver. The only wildcard was David Corenswet. Brosnahan as Lois Lane brings everything fans love about the character. She is smart, driven, and doesn’t let anything or any relationship get in her way. Gunn has said that one scene he was nervous about was a fifteen minute interview scene where Lois interviews Clark as Superman for the first time. The tone and questions she brings confirms to the audience that this Lois Lane is indeed the Pulitzer Prize winner from the comics. She doesn’t let the fact that Clark is her boyfriend slow her down. She is insightful, determined, and unwavering. Throughout the film, her character is never side lined as the “girlfriend of Superman”, rather she is an active participant of the plot, moving other characters to act, and ultimately saves Superman’s public face through her journalism skills, while he is saving the world from Lex Luthor.

The Daily Planet staff helps to round out the world and make it feel real. Wendell Price as Perry White excellently plays the newspaper chief as someone who has total control of his newsroom, while also giving his reporters the freedom they need. Beck Bennett as Steve Lombard and Mikaela Hoover as Cat Grant, both excellently portrayed their roles. While none of these three had huge parts, they demonstrated they understood the characters’ roles and made the Daily Planet feel like a real newsroom. Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen is simultaneously a true reporter, while also providing comic relief when necessary. Chasing down leads, using connections, and being able to write while flying in a ship, Jimmy is no longer relegated to the sidelines as only comic relief, but instead serves as a fundamental part of the newsroom and a support for Lois.

Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane and David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman in *Superman* (2025)

David Corenswet as Superman could be one of the greatest casting choices of Gunn’s career. Gunn and Corenswet successfully bring Superman into the modern world. Historically, Superman has been portrayed as a Boy Scout, infallibly good, always on the side of justice, and unable to be beaten due to his powers. It was only in the last fifteen to twenty years, in the comics, we saw a different side of Superman. Not only did we get an “evil Superman” version courtesy of the Injustice series but in general we saw a more flawed Superman. Someone who’s hard headedness and unwillingness to bend was a liability in his friendships, and led him into dangerous situations. In short, we only recently saw a flawed Superman. Gunn’s Superman is a flawed character, not in an Injustice way, but he is a young, naive, Kansas farm boy who sees the good in people to a fault, but also can’t see the bigger picture. The fifteen minute interview, previously mentioned, is so important to the film because it shows Superman’s shortcomings, how he views the world, and who he is at his core. Him flying into a war zone to stop a conflict has nothing to do with the geo-politics or optics, but everything to do with the fact that people were going to die. That’s it. This was again demonstrated in a battle in Metropolis, where Superman stops to save a squirrel when the monster destroys a tree. This is a Superman who truly puts life above all else, to a fault oftentimes. Corenswet in the role humanizes Superman in a way that needed to happen. Superman is invulnerable, but Clark Kent isn’t, and Corenswet balances the two wonderfully.

While some may say that Superman has too many characters, or they just wanted this to be a Superman and Lois film, having the film take this direction is a smart move on Gunn’s part. By having so many characters at once, he is immediately establishing the world. Instead of waiting four or five movies to introduce characters, he jumps in with both feet, expecting the audience to keep up while also including enough exposition for the audience to establish a time and place. By having Superman interact with so many characters, it also establishes an arch for him. Superman’s main lesson in this film is not “how do I beat Lex Luthor” it’s “how do I balance conflicting priorities while still saving people”. By having to team up with the Justice Gang, Green Lantern, Hawk Girl and Mr. Terrific, Gunn is showing how Superman needs to grow as a leader and as a Superhero. Other iterations of the character have a Superman who is ready to lead with no growth needed. Corenswet’s on the other hand requires an arch and requires him to push himself to get to that role. Once Gunn eventually introduces the full Justice League, having Superman as a founding member will feel earned in a way audiences haven’t seen before. It won’t be a fan service moment. It will be a moment where the audience can feel just as proud of Superman’s journey as Clark Kent is.

We can finally see what is happening on the screen! For years, film goers have been plagued by one Mr. Zach Snyder and his particular approach to cinema. Mostly that the screen and lighting is so dark, it makes it difficult to see anything unless you are in a theater. Gunn however, lets the audience see what’s on screen and then gives them their money’s worth. Not only can you see what is happening, but overall scenes have a brighter tone that feels fresh out of a comic book. The hero's costumes are bright, harkening back to their comic book roots, but never too bright that it feels cartoon-y or out of place in this world. The action shots are dynamic, following the characters through the action itself, while also moving with them through the scene so that you never feel like you are being left behind. Yes, Gunn does still include the “hero shots” where the light flares behind the hero in dramatic fashion. The difference however, is these shots feel earned. They are placed where and when they need to be, and are not in excess.

Tragically for the Superman haters, aka me, Superman is a fantastic film. It establishes the world quickly, the cast is dynamic, and this feels like a world we want to see more of and grow with. While Superman as a character will never be my favorite, thank you Batman, Corenswet and Gunn pulled off a Superman that the audience needed. Someone who is good because he truly believes that life is more important than anything, is flawed as all humans are, but has the tenacity and humility to grow into the superhero we need. “Truth, Justice, and a Better Tomorrow” we may never see this in our lifetime, but through Gunn and Corenswet, we are reminded why it is worth fighting for.

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REVIEWED BY LINDSEY