the SUPER: James Gunn’s SUPERMAN Soars As David Corenswet Leads A Strong DCU Debut (Review)

Grade: A- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

James Gunn’s Superman arrives with the monumental task of redefining the Man of Steel for a new era, and for the most part, it soars.

David Corenswet is a revelation as Superman and Clark Kent. He brings the heart that defines the character, delivering a performance that feels fresh. He’s the Superman many fans have been waiting for. Rachel Brosnahan matches him perfectly as Lois Lane, bringing intelligence and authenticity to the role. Their chemistry makes their partnership, which is both romantic and professional, entirely believable.

Nicholas Hoult plays an interesting, if slightly underdeveloped, Lex Luthor. Hoult brings energy to the role, but the film never fully explores Lex’s motivations, leaving his vendetta against Superman feeling somewhat hollow. A more seasoned or visually older actor may have also brought added weight to the character’s menace, but Hoult does fine with what he’s given.

Among the supporting heroes, Edi Gathegi stands out as Mr. Terrific. His performance is strong, offering a form of superhero redemption after his mishandling as Darwin in X-Men: First Class. Other characters like Green Lantern (Guy Gardner), Hawkgirl, and Metamorpho serve their purpose but don’t leave much impact. Krypto the Superdog is fun at times, though perhaps feels a bit out of place at times.

The emotional heart of the film comes through in Clark’s connection to his adoptive parents. One touching scene between Pa Kent and Clark hits all the right notes; it’s simple, heartfelt, and grounded in what makes Superman human at heart.

Visually, the film is impressive. The VFX are well-crafted and the action sequences are thrilling without being overwhelming. Gunn captures the majesty of Superman’s flight with breathtaking cinematography and thoughtful framing that lets those moments shine.

While Gunn’s direction is assured, and his track record with Guardians of the Galaxy speaks for itself, some of his trademark humor feels a bit mismatched here. The film leans more heavily into profanity than one might expect for a Superman story, which slightly undercuts the hopeful, all-ages tone often associated with the character.

Still, Superman is a strong reboot with a lot of heart, which lays a promising foundation for the DC Universe. It doesn’t hit every note perfectly, but with Corenswet’s pitch-perfect performance and Gunn’s confident direction, it delivers a Superman worth believing in again.

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