First off, I didn’t even want to see the new Superman movie. Let’s be honest—how could anyone replace Christopher Reeve? His Superman defined a generation, and for purists like myself, he was the Man of Steel. But I was wrong—sort of.
Let’s get one thing straight: the promotional poster does David Corenswet no justice. On screen, he’s not only believable in the cape—he’s charmingly handsome. Corenswet steps into the role with the kind of grace that’s hard to find in rebooted superhero franchises. His portrayal of Clark Kent brings a sincerity that stands out, even amid the film’s hyperactive pace.
Directed by James Gunn (Guardians of the Galaxy, The Suicide Squad), this 2025 reboot titled simply Superman relaunches the DC cinematic universe. The film kicks off fast, opening with an emotional flashback that reminds longtime fans how Kal-El—Superman’s birth name—was sent to Earth. The origin is familiar but well-executed, offering both nostalgia and narrative grounding.
The film’s special effects are nothing short of breathtaking. But even in the chaos, the story holds up, at least in the beginning. One new addition is a scene-stealing, rebellious super dog (think Krypto but with a mind of his own). He’s far from a trusty sidekick, in fact, he’s an adorable menace, but his antics provide much-needed comic relief in an otherwise intense plot.
What Didn’t Work
Let’s face it, if you’re a boomer or Gen Xer, you’ve seen Superman evolve across decades. The original TV Superman, George Reeves, starred in Adventures of Superman (1952–1958), a black-and-white television classic that introduced the character to living rooms across America. Since then, the franchise has seen countless iterations, from Reeve’s iconic films to Smallville and Henry Cavill’s brooding portrayal in Man of Steel.
This version? It felt jarring. At times, the plot leaned hard into contrived territory, with indulgent, CGI-heavy action sequences that felt more like a video game than a movie. And the violence? Let’s just say it bordered on excessive. Lex Luthor (played by Nicholas Hoult) lacked the depth we’ve come to expect from Superman’s archnemesis, reduced here to a jealous tech bro with murder on his mind.
Worse still, the dialogue often felt forced, even robotic, like actors playing superheroes instead of being them. It lacked the heart and soul of earlier versions. While the stunts were outrageous, and the Justice League-style “meta-humans” added intrigue, the film ultimately felt hollow.
What Did Work
Despite its flaws, Corenswet delivered as Superman. He brought vulnerability and charisma, and he looked the part without trying too hard. That mischievous super dog—CGI or not—stole almost every scene he was in, salvaging a few dull moments with well-timed humor.
Green Lantern’s brief but impactful role added spice to the ensemble, and yes, his arrogance actually made him likable. The Justice Gang subplot added some dynamic layers to an otherwise linear story. And visually, the film dazzled. The score and soundtrack were top-tier . . . grand, sweeping, and emotionally resonant.
And then there was Lois Lane, played by Rachel Brosnahan. She looked uncannily like Margot Kidder from the original Superman films, which added a comforting familiarity. Unfortunately, her performance didn’t quite reach the emotional heights needed to balance out the male-dominated cast.
“It felt like a movie starring the cool kids at your school (who never read a comic book) playing the characters in your favorite comics.” —As one fellow moviegoer, James Montague, put it:
Final Verdict
I give Superman 3 out of 5 stars. It was entertaining. It had style. It had moments. But it also felt like a missed opportunity. While the stunts and visuals soared, the story lacked soul. With stronger character development and a more thoughtful script, this could’ve been the Superman film to beat.
Instead, I walked out of AMC Americana dazzled, but emotionally detached, left underwhelmed in spite of all the over-the-top heroics. The magic of Superman lies in his humanity, not just his strength. This version only half remembered that.