Chris “Boogie” Brown reviews the latest version of the DC classic superhero.
Superman, the first film under Warner Bros. Discovery’s new “DC Studios” banner, is directed by James Gunn and stars David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan and Nicholas Hoult. Here are my spoiler-free thoughts.
The film is set in a fictional universe, where metahumans have been known to society for more than 300 years. Rather than functioning as an origin story, the narrative picks up with Superman already three years into his role as Earth’s protector. The movie serves as a snapshot in time, depicting a chaotic week in the hero’s life as he navigates the duality of his Smallville upbringing and Kryptonian heritage.
Superman’s relationships, with Lois Lane, his dog Krypt and the public at-large, are explored under the cloud of backlash and scrutiny. A lot of this is orchestrated by the ever-manipulative Lex Luthor. Using social media smears and political influence, Luthor sets out to discredit the Man of Steel permanently. He’s aided by Ultraman, a powerful foe, and The Engineer, a nanotech-enhanced warrior.
In response, Superman forms an unlikely alliance with a group of metahumans including Mister Terrific, Hawkgirl, Guy Gardner and a mysterious otherworldly ally. Together, they aim to stop Luthor’s sinister plans.
Going into the film with modest expectations, I was pleasantly surprised. Superman is a solid and enjoyable superhero entry that delivers something new for fans of the character. That said, it’s important to note this movie is tonally distinct from Zack Snyder’s 2013 film, Man of Steel. While Man of Steel embraced a grounded and existential tone, Superman veers sharply toward the fantastical. It’s closer to the spirit of DC’s Silver Age.
The tone is lighthearted, playful and even whimsical, with offbeat humor and vibrant visuals. Superman aims to evoke the nostalgia of Richard Donner’s 1978 film while feeling like a live-action animated feature. Viewers familiar with Superman: The Animated Series or My Adventures with Superman will recognize the tone instantly. From the classic score to its bright color palette, this is classic material.
While the humor and sci-fi tropes don’t always land, the film embraces its comic book roots unapologetically. Key action sequences involving Superman, Krypto and the Justice Gang offer fun, uneven spectacles.
The ensemble cast includes David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. Ed Gathegi plays Mister Terrific and Nathan Fillion is Guy Gardner. Rounding out the cast is Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho, Maria Gabriela de Faria as The Engineer and the legendary Wendell Pierce as Perry White. Last, but not least: Skyler Gisondo plays Jimmy Olsen.
Brosnahan delivers a confident, sharp portrayal of Lois Lane, capturing both her intelligence and spirit. Her chemistry with Corenswet feels genuine. Hoult plays a psychologically unstable, obsessive Lex Luthor with conviction. At times some of his manic moments slide into camp. Ed Gathegi’s Mister Terrific is a standout, while performances by Fillion and Merced felt less memorable.
Corenswet shines in the dual role. He effectively capturing Clark Kent’s modest awkwardness and Superman’s earnest heroism. He looks the part—standing at 6-foot-4—and brings warmth and physicality to the role, even if the suit design isn’t ideal. His performance feels distinct among past portrayals, offering a fresh interpretation of the iconic character.
Still, the film isn’t without its flaws. Tonally, it sometimes feels like a Guardians of the Galaxy film dressed in Superman’s colors. Gunn is well known for directing the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy for Marvel. The crowded cast occasionally sidelines Superman himself. Visually, the film suffers from inconsistencies, with cinematographer Henry Braham’s ultra-wide lens choices leading to warped or uncanny character appearances in certain shots. Although it’s an improvement over his work on The Flash (2023), the over-lighting and visual distortions persist.
Despite those issues, Superman manages to balance its story, action, and joyful tone. There is one particularly violent scene involving Luthor, but this is mostly an accessible film that could appeal to all. Reception among hardcore comic book movie fans will likely vary depending on expectations.
If you’re partial to the hopeful tone of 1978’s Superman: The Movie, this may be your film. If you favor the brooding, philosophical depth of Man of Steel, you might find this version lacking. However, if you’re simply excited to see Superman back on the big screen, Superman delivers a crowd-pleasing ride.
This Superman film carves its own path with a fresh story, distinct tone and colorful direction. As the first entry in the new DC Universe, it packs a big punch.
Superman opens in theaters nationwide on (Friday) July 11.
FINAL RATING: 3.5 out of 5 Stars