REVIEW #450 Superman (2025)

Superman (2025)

Synopsis

When Superman’s actions, both at home and abroad, are questioned, billionaire Lex Luther finds an opportunity to remove the Man of Steel for good.

My Review

Superman’s review scene has been a confusing mixture of review bombing or hyperbole mania, but outside of all of that toxic noise from two battling sides, is a heartwarming instalment that rightfully displays David Corenswet as the perfect casting for DC’s symbol of hope. As a big fan of Cavill’s portrayal and the overall tone of Snyder’s films, I never expected to be won over by another rendition of Superman, in such a way as this. The ‘Punk Rock’ optimism, the captivating charm and damn right likability of this take on the character, plasters a smile on your face for a large portion of the movie. Unfortunately there was virtually no screen time for disguised Clark Kent and I think we desperately needed more, so that we could see that clear divide in persona. That was clearly down to the packed list of characters and although I liked them all very much, this is a Superman movie and it should have had more time dedicated to the different sides to him. Of those side characters, Mr Terrific was by far my favourite and he arguably has the best action sequence in the entire film!

The acting across the board was pretty impressive! With Nicholas Hoult perfectly capturing the envy and hatred of Lex Luther. Whilst Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane was brilliant too, a crucial component in the story, both as an individual character and a tool that brought out the best moments from Superman & Clark Kent. The CGI on the other hand, particularly during Superman’s action sequences, was really poor, often looking incomplete and jarring. I know people have mentioned that they leaned into the humour a bit too much, but I actually think the humour felt super organic and natural, never feeling out of place. It’s clear this was going to be a more lighthearted take on the character and therefore, naturally, there would be more humour. I must admit, I was hesitant on the inclusion of Krypto, believing this super pet was just too goofy for the DCU, but I was happily proven wrong! James Gunn made it work and it actually humanised Superman even more.

Now, James Gunn is far from subtle regarding the political influence on this movie, clear references to the Israel and Gaza conflict. Some may hate that, some may believe it has no place in films such as this, but for me, it really helped drive home the themes of hope and the desire to do good. Those heartfelt moments in Jarhanpur, as the children rose the Superman flag, the glorious musical score in the background… it brought a tear to my eye! That relatability to real world conflict immersed me even more, made the emotion feel real, the stakes feel higher and the purpose of the heroes all the more captivating. All in all, I’ve come away having loved this movie and assured that the future of DC is in good hands. The underwhelming visuals and CGI aside, it’s a brilliant start and I genuinely think this is a film that will have something for everyone, even those, who like me, prefer a darker tone for the genre. 

My Rating: 8 out of 10

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