‘Good Gosh!’ Critics Have Seen James Gunn’s Superman, And They Have Strong Opinions About The New Clark Kent And Lois Lane

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As a die-hard film enthusiast, there’s no doubt in my mind that one of the most legendary superheroes ever is the fellow who can outrun bullets and effortlessly scale skyscrapers. I’m absolutely thrilled about James Gunn’s upcoming Superman, slated for release in 2025, as it marks the beginning of a fresh era for the DC Universe. Over the years, numerous actors have breathed life into Superman and his beloved companion Lois Lane, and now, with David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan stepping into their shoes, critics can’t help but share their thoughts on this dynamic duo.

In the forthcoming DC film, Nicholas Hoult takes on the role of Lex Luthor and Skyler Gisondo portrays Jimmy Olsen, joining a star-studded cast. However, it’s understandable that the primary attention is given to this particular version of Clark Kent and Lois Lane. Eric Eisenberg of TopMob, in his review of Superman, recognizes the challenges faced by David Corenswet, while praising Rachel Brosnahan for her energetic optimism as the Daily Planet reporter. He awards it 4.5 out of 5 stars, further stating:

David Corenswet takes on a significant challenge by assuming one of pop culture’s most legendary roles, yet his portrayal of the Man of Tomorrow is mesmerizing in its seemingly effortless execution. He skillfully encapsulates the complexities of the main character, demonstrating a rural charm that complements a strong sense of justice, while also revealing the vulnerability inherent in being an outsider. This vulnerability stems from his longing to be accepted.

According to David Ehrlich from IndieWire, James Gunn’s work seems excessively focused on correcting the overly serious tone set by Zack Snyder. However, Ehrlich is ecstatic about David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan, who he believes are the best Lois Lane and Clark Kent ever to grace our screens. Ehrlich praises Corenswet’s portrayal of Clark Kent as “simply marvelous,” but expresses a desire for Brosnahan’s character to have a more significant role in the film. He assigns the movie a grade of C+, commending it in his review: “It’s decent enough.

The movie would have undeniably flopped without the poised performances of its actors, particularly Rachel Brosnahan who stands out. As Daily Planet reporter Lois Lane, she grapples with the implications of Superman interfering in world events. Her internal struggle resonates even more powerfully due to her boyfriend’s unwavering self-assurance. (It seems unusual that Brosnahan appears in just a few scenes, but each one is electric with the chemistry often lacking in superhero films.)

Tom Jorgensen from IGN rates the upcoming superhero film as “Excellent,” scoring it 8 out of 10. He praises Superman as an engaging, emotionally resonant blockbuster that serves as a refreshing reboot and a promising launch for the DC Universe on the silver screen. Further praise is offered by Jorgensen.

David Corenswet skillfully infuses his portrayal of Superman with a self-assured charm, interspersed with old-fashioned phrases like ‘good gosh’ and ‘what the hey’, instead of using stronger language. These quirks give depth to Superman, reminding us of Clark’s humble origins and keeping the theme of humanity relevant. … Brosnahan convincingly portrays Lois’ tired yet cunning character, and a scene where Superman grants her an interview that rapidly turns into a delightful verbal duel, effectively demonstrates the developing chemistry between the two main characters.

David Rooney from The Hollywood Reporter commends the outstanding performances of both main actors. He notes that Corenswet imbues his character with a captivating warmth, while Brosnahan’s portrayal of Lois Lane stands shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the most memorable interpretations. In other words, Rooney expresses his admiration for both actors and considers their performances to be among the best.

David Corenswet gives an exceptional portrayal of both Superman and Clark Kent, infusing his character with witty self-irony, endearing charm, and touching vulnerability as he grapples with uncertainties about whether his mission to help humanity and uphold truth was founded on deceit. The playful, spirited camaraderie between Corenswet’s character and Rachel Brosnahan’s intelligent Lois Lane – a portrayal that rivals Margot Kidder’s iconic interpretation of the sharp-witted Daily Planet reporter – makes every scene they share together enjoyable.

According to Owen Gleiberman of Variety, the actors’ chemistry is captivating; however, his enthusiasm for Corenswet’s interpretation of Superman appears somewhat subdued. In simpler terms, he finds their interaction fascinating, but expresses a more reserved response towards Corenswet as Superman.

Any actor stepping into this role needs to transform into a chiseled, all-American jock deity with sparkling eyes. However, the essence of an exceptional Superman portrayal lies in the actor’s authentic emotion, which adds a touch of playful melancholy to the heroism. Christopher Reeve embodied this quality magnificently; Henry Cavill fell short. Yet, David Corenswet in Gunn’s Superman offers enough of this depth to captivate us. His energetic, slightly puppyish, wavy-haired Superman exudes a delight in his actions, but he is far from impervious.

Richard Roeper from RogerEbert.com notes that while the lead actor delivers a solid performance, it doesn’t quite reach the level set by Christopher Reeve or even match Henry Cavill’s portrayal. He likens the movie to an ’empty-calorie Happy Meal’, suggesting that its action-packed scenes seem borrowed from Guardians of the Galaxy and many other superhero films, and the overall experience is repetitive. He awards the film 2.5 out of 4 stars, further commenting…

Regarding Corenswet, he delivers a likable take on Superman, yet fails to surpass the charisma of Christopher Reeve or embody the intense, piercing intensity of Henry Cavill. Over the years, we’ve seen close to a dozen portrayals of Superman on both large and small screens – not dissimilar to the number of Lex Luthors. This new interpretation provides satisfactory popcorn-worthy amusement, but still leaves us questioning its necessity.

Critics generally appreciate David Corenswet’s portrayal of the superhero, although he may not quite measure up to iconic Christopher Reeve. Similarly, Rachel Brosnahan is receiving a lot of positive feedback. If you’re interested in watching Superman on the big screen, it will be available starting this Friday, July 11.

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2025-07-10 18:39