Superman Review: A Wild New Universe or an Overloaded Experiment?
This Superman review dives into James Gunn’s bold, bizarre reboot of DC’s cinematic universe, starring David Corenswet as the iconic Man of Steel. Rather than carefully setting up a franchise foundation, Gunn opts for chaos, delivering a sci-fi B-movie cloaked in superhero spandex. It’s not just a standalone film—it’s the launchpad for a new era of DC storytelling.
In this Superman review, we find a universe where the Man of Steel already exists, fully formed. There’s no origin story, no quiet Kansas farm—just immediate, breathless action. Director James Gunn boldly starts in the middle, where Superman has been fighting supervillains in Metropolis for three years, dating Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan), and battling public opinion stirred up by tech mogul Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult). This bold creative choice adds weight to our Superman review, which explores how skipping the traditional backstory affects the film’s narrative flow.
Superman Review: How James Gunn Reimagines the Man of Steel
David Corenswet’s Superman is handsome and wholesome, with all the right looks for Clark Kent. But while his charm fits the role on paper, Gunn’s script rarely gives him space to breathe. Superman seems rushed, impatient, and prone to emotional outbursts—a far cry from the gentle iconography of Christopher Reeve’s version. Gone is the awe; in its place is a short-tempered crusader with little time for warmth.
Even Lois Lane, portrayed with gusto by Brosnahan, is given little development. Their relationship feels pre-written rather than felt. Gunn assumes we already care, without building the emotional stakes.
A Superhero Story Skipping Steps
What’s striking is how fully Gunn leans into comic book absurdity. The film includes a floating eyeball known as a “dimensional imp,” a squad of Superman Robots, a fire-breathing kaiju, and a subplot about social media disinformation. You’ll also find clones, alternate universes, and scenes that feel plucked from Saturday morning cartoons—except with a much darker tone.
While some fans will celebrate this audacity, others may find it overwhelming. Gunn packs so many ideas into the 2-hour runtime that none truly get to shine. The pacing is so frantic that significant events—city destruction, multi-verse hopping, character deaths—feel oddly hollow.
The Supporting Heroes: Scene-Stealers or Clutter?
Gunn introduces a ragtag group of lesser-known heroes called the Justice Gang, including Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion), Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced), and Mr Terrific (Edi Gathegi). These characters are quirky and fun, but they crowd out the main storyline. Instead of anchoring Superman, they blur his narrative.
Their presence also raises an immediate question: where are the heavy hitters? Batman, Wonder Woman, and Aquaman are noticeably absent. While their own stories may come later, this fragmented introduction lacks the narrative cohesion that made Marvel’s early films resonate.
Bursting with Weirdness, But Lacking Heart
At times, “Superman” feels more like an inside joke for comic book purists than an accessible blockbuster. Gunn brings the same irreverent, genre-twisting spirit that made “The Suicide Squad” a cult hit, but here it borders on indulgent. There’s no space for quieter, character-building moments.
Even the score leans on nostalgia, using John Williams’ classic fanfare from 1978’s “Superman: The Movie.” But it doesn’t land with the intended gravitas. Instead of rekindling the magic, it reminds viewers what’s missing—emotional resonance, wonder, and sincerity.
The Verdict: Bold, Bizarre, But Not Quite Super
“Superman” is a curious gamble—a film that embraces the eccentric side of comic lore, but forgets the human core of its hero. It’s glib, overloaded, and visually chaotic. Corenswet’s potential is buried under clutter, and despite some laugh-out-loud moments, the film fails to inspire awe or confidence in DC’s rebooted universe.
Fans of James Gunn’s style will find familiar notes: weird humor, frenetic pacing, and unexpected characters. But those hoping for a soaring, mythic return of Superman may be left grounded.
