Superman by James Gunn (2025)
There’s a certain excess to all of James Gunn’s films that wears thin after awhile (which, for the record, is why I never finished 2021’s The Suicide Squad). Also, I really disliked a pretty key change to Superman’s origins. Not to spoil anything, but I’ve always liked that an act of true selflessness sent young Kal-El on his way from doomed Krypton, and that’s no longer the case here. That said, I appreciate that Gunn’s Superman is much closer in tone and style to DC’s animated fare, which I enjoy far more than their live-action movies — and makes this movie’s sillier aspects, like Lex Luthor’s pocket universe army of social media outrage monkeys, a bit more palatable. David Corenswet is great as Superman, perfectly capturing the hero’s earnestness and bigheartedness. (There’s a reason why he’s called the Big Blue Boy Scout, folks.) Nathan Fillion and Edi Gathegi are also great as Guy Gardner and Mister Terrific, respectively. In the end, however, I agree with Steven D. Greydanus’ take: Gunn’s Superman absolutely has its heart in the right place, which is not nothing, but I’m still left wanting something smarter and more substantial for the Man of Tomorrow.
I may earn an affiliate commission on items you buy through Opus. These commissions will go directly to support the site and my blogging.