2025 Summer Movie Season - DC Studios' Superman: Review & Analysis

 

Pure Grade Intro!!!!! James Gunn Delivers Superman Story That Is Authentic To Character and His Style of Storytelling!!!!

Review By BJ Porter

Your new hero has arrived

The Story

In a world full of heroes, one has to wonder why the current state of humanity is at such a low point of morale. Despite the people of Earth knowing that meta-humans exist, a good majority of them seem tied up in corporate affiliations or imprisoned by those in power due to fear of their unpredictable nature. However, there does seem to be one who is unfair to go against the grain. Sporting red trunks, a flowing red cape, and a brightly colored “S” symbol on his chest, this powerful metahuman, many of whom have dubbed Superman (David Cornswet), goes out of his way to help those in need both within his home borders of the United States and overseas in an attempt to try to do good by the people of Earth without any form of restrictions or conditions. Powerful overlords who thrive off of the current world state like billionaire tycoon Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) see Superman not as a means for good but as an obstacle preventing them from further indulging in their lust for power and control. Faced with a brewing threat and struggling to overcome obstacles almost too big for him to handle, Superman must ascend to his ultimate calling and present himself as a powerful symbol of hope in a world that deems it an old-fashioned relic of the past. 

Lois and Clark face this new challenge together

The Review

DC returns to the big screen in the opening cinematic entry in James Gunn’s highly anticipated DCU. The first solo film for the iconic character in over a decade, DC Studios Superman aims to not only reintroduce audiences to the Man of Steel but lay the foundation for the future of this particular heroverse's brand of cinematic storytelling. After soaring with the Man of Tomorrow in his newest heroic endeavor, Superman is an action-packed reintroduction to the character that captures what's great about him while also being done by someone unafraid of doing it in his own way. The anticipation for the long-awaited start of the DCU has been building since its announcement in 2023. Many were excited yet rightfully skeptical about how these characters would work with James Gunn at the helm. His official opening project, Superman, saw him taking on something that was a far cry from the obscure character stories that made him a household name, like Guardians of the Galaxy. The character of Superman is one of the most iconic characters in comics. Questions about how Gunn would reinvent him for this new DC universe were the main thing that everyone wanted answered. I can thankfully say that Gunn not only understands the characters within his story, but he also presents them in his style without ever sacrificing the characters' essence. Gunn had plenty of help in that department, thanks to a talented ensemble.  But if we are going to talk about the cast, who better to start with than our title character played by David Cornswet. It's no secret that this role came with a lot of expectations, given its importance to both the film and the DCU as a whole. Despite the hurdles, I'm excited to say that Cornswet is a Superman more than worth investing in. This version of Superman might be the most human interpretation I've seen. This version of Kal-El, aka Clark Kent, goes through a multitude of struggles that test him throughout the narrative. What I appreciate the most about Superman in this iteration is that he is by no means perfect, but his intentions are pure. He is, at the end of the day, just a well-meaning guy who wants to do the right thing. But of course, some obstacles have him constantly questioning if he's doing it the right way. You fully see his passion for wanting to be a symbol for good. He gets knocked down constantly and finds himself at times on the ropes, both physically and emotionally. But like the fighter he is, it's his humanity that always allows him to come out on top. Cornswet truly played Superman in a way that made him not just likable but someone you actually want to see succeed. I am excited to see what he is able to do with this character as the DCU begins to expand and grow in the future. While having the character of Superman be engaging was clearly a top priority, the entire supporting cast was equally strong as well. Rachel Brosnahan's Lois Lane is the type of firecracker of a character that is a blast to watch on screen. Her drive, wit, humor, and chemistry with Cornswet make every scene she's in just as great as the ones with our title character. Brosnahan truly nailed Lois, and I can't wait to see more of her in this universe. On the opposite side, I can happily confirm that we got a top-tier Lex Luthor courtesy of Nicholas Hoult. If you are looking for a version of the character that is the pure definition of unhinged envy and spiteful wrath, look no further. Hoult's Luthor is purely calculated and conniving in the way the character should be. Driven by pure ego and superiority prejudice, Luthor is a villain who hits you and hits you where it hurts because he can't stomach the fact that you have something he himself lacks. He was an effective villain, and I give Hoult full marks for making such a despicable yet entertaining antagonist. As for the other members of the ensemble, even with a limited amount of screen time, almost every character in this movie left an impression. It's rare when you can point to a character with minimal screentime and actually feel they made the most out of what they were given. As the other powered member of the film's ensemble, the trio of Guy Gardner, Mr Terrific, and Hawkgirl was fun to watch as a tandem throughout. However, 2 of the trio really brought tremendous energy to the film as well as humor. Edi Gathegi's Mr Terrific is given a little more to do out of the 3, and he is by far a bona fide standout. His chemistry with everyone makes him such a joy to watch, and his performance is one I know will be a highlight for people. Nathan Fillion and Merced deliver as Gardner and Hawkgirl, with Fillion's brand of humor shining through despite the limited screentime given. Others, including Skylar Gisando's Jimmy Olsen, in addition to Maria Gabriela De Faria, Sara Sampaio, and Anthony Carrigan, all have standout moments that really make this a story work; even when Superman isn't on screen, you are still invested in everything that is unfolding. Kudos to Gunn's writing for crafting a world you want to spend time in, even when the leading man isn't front and center. 

A sight to behold

This really brings me to the thing that I respect the most about this movie. Despite it being a Superman movie, it is authentic to Gunn's style in all forms of that statement. It's easy to assume that just because it's a Superman movie that Gunn's tendencies and sensibilities would be toned down, given the character he's working with. But make no mistake, Gunn never sacrifices his brand of filmmaking. His fingerprints are all over every aspect of this film as he presents his Superman story that is authentic to his particular vision. The action is visceral, thrilling, and packed with adrenaline that feels like a high-speed roller coaster ride. The cinematography infuses every scene with a strong sense of chaotic energy, making each set piece equal parts intense and hard-hitting. The humor is hilarious at its best and a bit weak at its worst, but your view of the comedic elements of the movie will depend solely on how much you like and understand Gunn's comedic style. I will say that if there is one thing that Gunn really knocked out of the park with this movie, it is the pure heart embedded within it. Gunn, for all his humor and chaos he brings to action set pieces, never forgets to add heart to his films. The movie has a plethora of emotionally earnest moments that might be just as powerful as the action displayed on screen. This is a sensibility I have always respected Gunn for, as it adds gravity to the story and makes you more invested in the characters. It's no different in this movie. That very sense of earnestness that is added to each scene only makes you want to root for these characters harder and continue to see how they develop and change throughout every moment you see them. This is the type of emotional investment that will only serve the DCU moving forward as the universe expands and more corners of it get revealed. As more characters, including the big players, start showing up, having each story be done with this type of commitment to maintaining the heart and essence of what makes them so beloved is a vital component to creating a cinematic universe that will sustain itself. I'm excited that Gunn understands this and has shown that he can create stories with these characters that ensure that they are true to who they are in a way that makes sense for what they represent. In the end, Superman is in its purest form, a fun and action-packed thrill ride with pureness of heart coursing through every fiber of its being. The movie is a good time throughout, and really has me invested in what is in store for this new era of interconnected storytelling. While it's never easy making a story about a man who embodies truth, justice, and the American way, the son of Krypton's return to the silver screen is a hopeful and promising start for the new cinematic corner of the DC Universe. 

Final Score Rating

Full of action, heart and authentic to the essence of its characters, the opening film in the DCU
delivers a Superman story that makes the eventual road ahead one worth traveling. 

You knew it was coming...MVP! MVP! MVP!