Superman (2025) | Movie Review

The promise of returning to Superman's hopeful roots gets delivered with flying colors by James Gunn. This isn't a dark, brooding superhero film drowning in its own seriousness. Instead, we get a vibrant, emotionally intelligent take that remembers why Superman matters.

Three years into his public superhero career, Clark Kent faces his most complex challenge yet. The film strikes a delicate balance between spectacular action and genuine human moments, proving that optimism doesn't mean shallow storytelling. Gunn's signature blend of humor and heart elevates this beyond typical superhero fare.

Three weeks ago, Superman stopped Boravia's invasion of Jarhanpur. Now facing public scrutiny over international intervention, he must navigate political complexities while Lex Luthor orchestrates his downfall through manipulation and media pressure.

The story centers on Superman's struggle to maintain his moral compass when the world questions whether his well-intentioned intervention causes more harm than good, forcing him to confront uncomfortable truths about power.

The fictional Boravia/Jarhanpur conflict serves as an allegory for current geopolitical tensions. Gunn explores how godlike intervention creates unintended consequences, acknowledging real-world parallels through mature storytelling that never feels preachy or heavy-handed.

The film draws heavily from All-Star Superman's emotional depth while incorporating modern sensibilities. Gunn cherry-picks the best elements from various Superman comics, creating a coherent mythology that feels both familiar and fresh.

The supporting cast of heroes reflects the interconnected approach to Gunn's new DC Universe, with renowned characters like Hawkgirl and Mister Terrific naturally woven into the narrative without feeling forced or purely promotional.

Krypto's inclusion feels organic rather than forced, serving the story's emotional beats while providing moments of levity. The film respects Superman's legacy while updating it for contemporary audiences who need heroes that inspire rather than intimidate.

David Corenswet's earnestly youthful Superman radiates joy but remains vulnerable. His performance captures Superman's essential goodness without boring audiences, making any of his struggles feel authentic rather than manufactured.

Rachel Brosnahan brings sharp intelligence to Lois Lane, avoiding the typical damsel-in-distress trope for the character. Her chemistry with Corenswet creates a believable partnership of equals. Nicholas Hoult's Lex Luthor operates as the perfect foil, embodying intellectual arrogance without resorting to mustache-twirling villainy.

The ensemble cast, including Nathan Fillion's Guy Gardner and Isabela Merced's Hawkgirl, establishes the broader DCU without overwhelming Superman's story. Each character serves a genuine purpose beyond simple fan-service.

Visually, Superman is bold and bright with vibrant colors— an area in which Gunn excels and a nice change from the de-saturated palette of previous Zack Snyder films. Dynamic camera work makes flight sequences exhilarating while emphasizing hope.

The production design creates a world that feels lived-in yet aspirational. Metropolis gleams with possibility rather than dystopian dread. Costume design updates classic looks while still maintaining iconic elements and timeless appeal.

The opening sequence establishes Superman's public persona three years into his career, immediately differentiating this from typical origin stories. The Boravia conflict introduction efficiently sets up the central moral dilemma without overwhelming exposition.

The film's middle act expertly explores Superman's internal struggle with shifting public perception while building toward Luthor's calculated manipulations. Superman loses his first fight against the mysterious enemy called "Hammer of Boravia", who in reality is Ultraman in disguise, creating genuine stakes and vulnerability.

The climax balances spectacular action with character resolution, avoiding the typical "punch the bad guy until he stops" conclusion. Each major sequence serves the story's themes while delivering satisfying spectacle until the grand finale.

Gunn's screenplay maintains momentum while allowing characters room to breathe. The political thriller elements blend seamlessly with superhero action, creating a cohesive narrative that doesn't feel overstuffed despite its ambitious scope.

The film's 129-minute runtime feels appropriate, neither rushed nor padded. Each subplot contributes to the central themes of responsibility and moral complexity. The pacing allows for both intimate character moments and large-scale action sequences.

The musical score honors John Williams' iconic themes while establishing its own identity. The sound design makes Superman's powers feel visceral and impactful, particularly during flight sequences and super-strength moments.

The audio work creates an immersive experience that enhances both quiet emotional beats and explosive action sequences. The sound mixing allows dialogue to remain clear during intense action, a detail that many superhero films overlook.

Critics and fans say David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan shine together in James Gunn's colorful, earnest, emotionally rich adaptation that returns to the roots of the iconic characters. This new Superman succeeds where many recent superhero films fail by remembering that spectacle means nothing without having a heart.

The film successfully launches the new DCU while telling a complete, satisfying story. It's not perfect; some sub-plot elements feel slightly underdeveloped and the political allegory occasionally threatens to overwhelm the character drama. However, these minor flaws don't diminish the overall achievement of Gunn's film.

Superman (2025) proves audiences still hunger for heroes who inspire rather than intimidate. Gunn has crafted a film respecting Superman's legacy while updating it for many modern-day sensibilities— the Superman film we needed most.

As of now, the film is only available in theaters worldwide, starting July 11, 2025. No official streaming release has been scheduled yet but Warner Bros. is likely to make it available for digital rental or purchase later, with a likely HBO Max debut in October 2025.