Superman review: James Gunn has delivered an entertaining relaunch

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A star rating of 3 out of 5.

It feels as though just yesterday Henry Cavill was embodying truth, justice, and the American ideal on the big screen as Superman in DC’s Man of Steel – but in actuality, his appearance was a brief cameo in the movie Black Adam from 2022.

In the newly restructured DC Cinematic Universe, supervised by writer/director James Gunn (known for Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy and The Suicide Squad) and producer Peter Safran, a new Superman is introduced in a friendlier form through David Corenswet. Unlike Henry Cavill’s portrayal of a brooding Kryptonian, this Superman presents as more of an amiable Boy Scout.

Straight away, Gunn skips the backstory and dives right into the action. We meet our protagonist, already three years into his duty as Earth’s guardian, following a dramatic crash-landing in the Antarctic, where he arrives bruised and battered.

Fortunately, he manages to recharge his solar energy at the local Fortress of Solitude, with help from Krypto, a lively and costumed super-dog who lends a paw in an outstanding live-action appearance.

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In the near future, Superman once again faces off against the formidable Hammer of Boravia, a foe who previously defeated him. However, unbeknownst to Supes, it is Lex Luthor – played by Nicholas Hoult with malevolent intent – who secretly manipulates events from behind the scenes. This maniacal billionaire harbors an intense hatred for the alien hero, who is deeply admired by Metropolis’ citizens.

Together with Maria Gabriela de Faria’s nanite-enhanced Engineer, the masked Ultraman, and a colossal fire-spewing beast, Luthor causes Superman numerous troubles. He strips Superman of his status as a trusted guardian, turning him into an outcast with self-doubt and a crisis of identity, eventually leading to his imprisonment in a seemingly impenetrable hidden prison.

However, let’s talk about Lois Lane, the star reporter at Daily Planet, played by Rachel Brosnahan. Despite her tendency to reprimand Clark Kent (Superman) over his intervention in international disputes, such as the Russia-Ukraine analogue, and his lack of discretion on social media platforms due to his refusal to post selfies, their relationship remains close.

Yet, she’s pivotal in convincing members of the super-team, the Justice Gang, to aid me when the world stands on the brink of annihilation, with towering buildings crumbling once more (again), in my personal account.

Gunn demonstrates his deep knowledge of DC Comics history, assembling a vibrant team of metahumans not previously featured in DC’s blockbuster films. This ensemble includes the tech-savvy Mr. Terrific (played by Edi Gathegi), the self-absorbed Green Lantern Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion, sporting his signature bowl-cut hairstyle), and Metamorpho the Element Man (Anthony Carrigan). Each character gets a chance to display their abilities and deliver witty lines.

You can also look out for a slew of cameos from the cast of Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy films.

With numerous characters to present, an abundance of action and tension to portray, and a potential series to found, characters like Daily Planet editor Perry White (played by Wendell Pierce), reporter Jimmy Olsen (Skyler Gisondo), Frank Grillo’s Rick Flag Sr (father of the late Suicide Squad leader), and Isabela Merced’s Hawkgirl are given limited screen time and development.

Despite some significant differences, such as a heavy reliance on CGI and modern action elements, the movie still pays homage to the original Superman story from 1978. This is evident in various ways, including the frequent use of John Williams’ memorable and moving score. Moreover, Corey Swet delivers a believable performance both in and out of the Superman costume, and his on-screen chemistry with Brosnahan as Lois Lane suggests a promising future for their relationship.

Clearly, Gunn’s relaunch has been quite engaging. Whether his revamped DC Universe can sustain itself for a long-running franchise depends on both time and strong ticket sales at the box office.

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2025-07-09 17:04