I had the pleasure of catching Superman (2025), James Gunn’s much-anticipated DC reboot, early on Tuesday during Amazon Prime’s advance screening — and I walked away genuinely smiling. While it isn’t flawless, Gunn’s vision breathes life back into the Man of Steel with a film that’s vibrant, heartfelt, and refreshingly human.
From the opening frame, Superman bursts with color, which is a welcome change from the dreary palettes of previous DC entries. The cinematography leans into its comic-book roots without feeling too campy, giving us soaring vistas, retro-futuristic tech, and cityscapes that feel both grounded and idealized. Gunn’s trademark whimsical tone is here in full force, but with a surprising amount of restraint. The writer-director strikes a compelling balance where the film is serious when it needs to be and light when it earns the right to be.
The first half takes a bit of time to find its rhythm, laying the groundwork for a new DC universe, but once the second half kicks in, the film’s pacing sharpens considerably. Character dynamics grow richer, and the action scenes gain narrative weight. It’s here that Gunn reminds us he’s not just a director of spectacle: he’s a storyteller with a beating heart.
David Corenswet delivers a truly classic Superman — kind and awkward as Clark, noble as Kal-El. He isn’t brooding or alienated or attempting to be a God, but deeply human. His portrayal echoes the hopeful spirit of Christopher Reeve with a modern edge, and his chemistry with the rest of the cast helps anchor the emotional core of the film. Opposite him, Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor is a definitive standout. Charismatic, cold, and psychotically calculating, he’s exactly the kind of modern-day megalomaniac Lex needs to be. He's manipulative, not just with power, but with ideas (and he also receives his just comeuppance at the end of the film.)
And speaking of ideas, Gunn wisely roots this film in a simple but resonant message: what does it mean to be human, and what does it mean to be good? Superman’s struggles here aren’t about brute strength — they’re about morality, compassion, and choice. It’s a message that lands, especially in today’s cultural landscape, where the world is rife with geopolitical struggles and society is dealing with stressful, and often negative outlooks on the future.
One of the brightest surprises for me was Edi Gathegi as Mr. Terrific. His portrayal is clever, charismatic, and quietly soulful. He steals nearly every scene he’s in and injects a refreshing dynamic into the superhero ensemble. I sincerely hope DC gives him a bigger arc moving forward — he went the extra mile to be the heart of the supporting cast.
That being said, not everything worked for me. Rachel Brosnahan is a capable Lois Lane, but her screen presence feels muted, as her version of Lois lacks the fire and wit of previous versions of the character. Perhaps it’s the script, or perhaps the film just doesn’t give her enough to do beyond reacting. Additionally, Gunn’s penchant for quirk sometimes crosses into eye-roll territory. A scene involving Lex Luthor’s countless monkeys crafting anti-Superman social media campaigns felt like a dated internet joke that didn’t quite land.
Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion) and Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced) are both fun in their limited screentime, but they’re left undercooked, clearly seeds for future movies. Their presence is intriguing, but it’s more of a tease than a payoff. A sequel would do well to give them the spotlight they deserve.
Despite these nitpicks, Superman (2025) is the most optimistic and enjoyable Superman film in years, and stands in stark contrast to the doom-and-gloom of Man of Steel (2013). It captures the character’s essence not through cynical subversion, but through sincerity. James Gunn reminds us that heroism isn’t about perfection, but striving to do good when it matters most.
This is an energetic, heartfelt reboot that understands the soul of Superman. With stronger pacing in the second half, eye-catching visuals, and standout performances, particularly from Corenswet, Hoult and Gathegi, this film successfully lays the foundation for a brighter DC future. A few stumbles in tone and character use don’t stop it from being one of the most enjoyable superhero films of the year.
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