Genre: Superhero | Director: James Gunn | Release Date: 2025
Superman faces unintended consequences after he intervenes in an international conflict orchestrated by billionaire Lex Luthor.
Plot:
Superman throws viewers into an ambitious, politically charged narrative. The story begins with Clark Kent/Superman stopping Boravia from invading Jarhanpur. His confrontation with Boravian president Vasil Ghurkos sets up an international conflict. That combined with Luthor’s manipulations and media spin, tarnishes Superman’s public image.
From here, the plot juggles numerous subplots: a kaiju attack on Metropolis, Superman’s strained romance with Lois Lane, the Justice Gang’s interventions (featuring Mister Terrific, Green Lantern, and Hawkgirl), and Luthor’s twisted pocket universe prison. Though these ideas are individually compelling, the sheer number of characters and plotlines results in a lack of focus, with Superman himself often sidelined. His relationship with Lois is underdeveloped, and his interactions with the Justice Gang lack emotional depth.
The film shines with Lex Luthor’s arc, arguably the best screen version of the character to date—intelligent, manipulative, and unapologetically evil. Mister Terrific and Guy Gardner bring personality to the team, while Hawkgirl feels underwritten. Unfortunately, Krypto is given far too much screen time, often pulling attention from the core narrative.
While the pacing is brisk, the structure leans on audience knowledge of the franchise. Some plot threads—such as how Luthor acquired Superman’s DNA or Clark’s personal growth—are left dangling. Ultimately, Superman delivers strong characters and bold ideas but stumbles with overstuffed storytelling.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Production:
The production of Superman delivers big-screen spectacle but isn’t flawless. Director James Gunn aims for grandeur with sprawling action sequences and emotional character beats, though the script by David Koepp often undermines the film’s ambitions. While Lex Luthor’s story is sharp and engaging, other threads—like Clark’s relationship with Lois or his bond with the Justice Gang—are thin and lack resolution. The pacing suffers from juggling too many subplots at once, leaving Superman’s own character arc underdeveloped.
Visually, the film shines. The wide shots of Metropolis, Jarhanpur, and the Fortress of Solitude give the story a cinematic, larger-than-life quality. The flight sequences are some of the best in the franchise, with weight and dynamism that make Superman feel powerful. However, there are glaring CGI hiccups, particularly during Lex’s scenes in the Fortress of Solitude, where the green screen work is hard to ignore. The costumes vary in quality. Superman’s suit initially looks odd but becomes less distracting over time. Guy Gardner’s Green Lantern suit, however, feels disappointingly generic, especially compared to earlier cinematic interpretations. Conversely, Hawkgirl and Mister Terrific’s costumes look fantastic, and Metamorpho’s design is both creative and believable.
Alexandre Desplat’s score is strong but not iconic. The standout is the Superman theme remix, which successfully blends nostalgia with modern energy. Other tracks, while fitting, lack memorability compared to John Williams or Hans Zimmer’s themes. Sound design is excellent, especially during battles and flight scenes, adding weight and excitement to the action. Despite script issues and occasional visual stumbles, Superman boasts impressive production values. When its visuals, sound, and action align, the film delivers moments that feel truly heroic.
The writing in Superman is a mixed bag—capturing the vibrant tone and aesthetic of a comic book while often failing as a cohesive film narrative. On one hand, the story structure and dialogue make the film feel like panels ripped straight from the page, with a heightened sense of drama and larger-than-life moments. On the other hand, character development and narrative focus are inconsistent, leaving the film emotionally hollow in several key areas.
Superman himself lacks physical presence for much of the story, often relegated to reactive roles rather than proactive heroics. The controversial portrayal of his Kryptonian parents as borderline villainous is intriguing but underexplored. Subplots like the “pocket universe monkeys” and the chaotic river-to-black-hole sequence feel like unnecessary distractions, adding little to the overall narrative. Similarly, Krypto’s hyperactive characterization is more grating than charming, while the Supergirl cameo feels shoehorned in rather than meaningful.
The central romance between Lois and Clark is underdeveloped, with Lois’ uncertainty about their relationship raised but never fully resolved. The whole monster scene doesn't make any sense and feels rushed. If the script said the creature escaped from the pocket universe that Lex created and became the big threat at the end, then that would justify the creature being in the movie as well as legitimize the pocket universe. The climax, hinging on a world-ending portal, feels overly grandiose and contrived. Most of the fights lack energy or tension, with the single standout being the Superman vs. Ultraman showdown, which delivers the spectacle the rest of the film struggles to match. I admit, when I see a Superman movie I want to see Man of Steel levels of energy.
While James Gunn’s signature humor occasionally lands, it often undercuts serious moments. Ultimately, the writing succeeds in tone but falters in storytelling depth.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Performances:
The casting of Superman is arguably its greatest strength. David Corenswet brings a hopeful, earnest charm to Clark Kent/Superman that harkens back to Christopher Reeve’s iconic portrayal. His performance captures Superman’s kindness and moral compass, but he lacks the imposing physical presence Henry Cavill brought to the role. While Cavill’s Superman radiated raw power, Corenswet feels more grounded and human, which works for some scenes but less so for big action moments where Superman should feel larger-than-life.
Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane is sharp, tenacious, and emotionally layered, delivering one of the best on-screen Loises to date. Her chemistry with Corenswet feels natural and elevates both characters. Nicholas Hoult steals every scene as Lex Luthor, giving the villain a dangerously intelligent and unhinged personality. Edi Gathegi is equally strong as Mr. Terrific, portraying him with wit, charisma, and gravitas. Nathan Fillion is delightfully brash as Guy Gardner, while Isabela Merced’s Hawkgirl feels underutilized but effective in her limited moments.
The supporting cast—Jimmy Olsen, Eve Teschmacher, and Metamorpho—rounds out the ensemble nicely, with each delivering solid performances. However, James Gunn’s direction is more hit-and-miss. He excels at handling large casts (Guardians of the Galaxy proved that), but here he struggles to keep the film centered on Superman. Gunn’s trademark humor sometimes undermines tension or emotional beats, while his characterizations of Krypto and Supergirl feel out of place.
Moreover, Gunn’s decision to highlight modern issues like social media manipulation and foreign conflicts is not inherently bad, but the delivery is heavy-handed and overly current-day, lacking subtlety. Combined with the crowded cast, these themes sometimes overshadow Superman’s personal arc, leaving the film feeling less like a Superman story and more like a broader commentary on modern culture.
Rating: 3 out of 5
The Verdict:
In the end, Superman is a bit of a mixed bag. For those who didn't like the dark atmosphere of the DCEU, they'll probably like the light nature of the film. The film does have its share of problems, the writing and direction being the biggest. Despite there's a lot to like about this movie. The performances of good, the visuals are good, the music is good, and there are a lot of cameos. Superman gets 3 out of 5.
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