Superman (2025): Movie Review and Film Summary
Introduction: A New Dawn for the Man of Steel
James Gunn’s Superman (2025) is not a reboot. It’s a resurrection. Arriving July 11, 2025, via Warner Bros. and DC Studios, this 148-minute PG-13 epic marks the launch of the new DC Universe under Gunn and Peter Safran’s stewardship. Starring David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, the film reimagines the world’s first superhero not as a brooding god or ironic icon, but as a hopeful, flawed, deeply human beacon in a cynical world. With a reported $365 million budget—the most expensive superhero film ever—Superman is a love letter to the character’s 86-year legacy, blending Golden Age optimism with modern emotional depth.
Gunn, fresh off Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, infuses the mythos with his signature warmth, wit, and ensemble chaos. Early reactions from test screenings are glowing: “heartfelt,” “funny,” “epic.” Critics at the world premiere hailed it as “the Superman movie we’ve been waiting for.” But does it soar above the shadow of Man of Steel and Justice League? This review and summary unpack the flight path—from Krypton’s fall to Metropolis’ hope—revealing why Superman might just save the DCU.
Plot Summary: Hope Takes Flight
Spoiler Warning: Full plot details ahead.
The film opens on Krypton—not with cold sci-fi sterility, but with a vibrant, dying civilization. Jor-El (Russell Crowe, reprising his role in cameo) and Lara (Ayelet Zurer) send their infant son Kal-El to Earth in a crystalline pod, not just to survive, but to live. The rocket crashes in Smallville, Kansas, where Jonathan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) and Martha Kent (Neve Campbell) find and raise him as Clark. Flash-forward 30 years: Clark (Corenswet) is a mild-mannered Daily Planet reporter, secretly operating as Superman for three years, saving lives with a smile and a quip.
The story ignites when Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult), a brilliant but bitter tech mogul, unleashes “The Engine”—a Kryptonian AI weapon buried in the Arctic, designed to “reset” humanity by eliminating weakness. Luthor sees Superman as the ultimate threat to human evolution. Meanwhile, Lois Lane (Brosnahan), investigating Luthor’s Titan Industries, uncovers his plan and teams with Clark, unaware he’s the hero she’s been writing about.
Act Two expands the world. Superman assembles a ragtag Justice League precursor: Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced), Guy Gardner/Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion, hilarious and hot-headed), Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi), and Metamorpho (Anthony Carrigan). Their base? The Fortress of Solitude, now a warm, Kryptonian archive with a holographic Jor-El. Krypto, the super-dog, steals scenes with loyal chaos—chewing Luthor’s drones, fetching asteroids.
The emotional core is Clark’s identity crisis. He loves Lois but fears revealing himself. He wants to help but questions if Earth needs a god. A mid-film sequence—Superman saving a collapsing bridge while children cheer—echoes the classic “truth, justice, and a better tomorrow” ethos. Luthor’s Engine awakens Ultraman, a Bizarro-like clone of Superman, leading to a brutal Metropolis showdown. Ultraman’s line—“You’re weak because you care”—forces Clark to embrace hope as power.
The climax is pure Gunn: a sky-splitting battle above the city, with the League holding off Luthor’s mechs while Superman faces Ultraman in space. Clark wins not with brute force, but by showing Ultraman Earth’s beauty—a montage of human kindness (a firefighter saving a cat, a kid sharing lunch). Ultraman, moved, self-destructs. Luthor escapes, vowing revenge. The film ends with Clark proposing to Lois on the Daily Planet roof at sunrise—simple, earnest, perfect.
Performances: Heart in Every Cape Flutter
David Corenswet is Superman. Tall, square-jawed, and kind-eyed, he channels Christopher Reeve’s warmth with Tom Hanks’ everyman charm. His Clark is awkward but confident; his Superman, invincible yet humble. Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois is fierce, funny, and fearless—a reporter who outsmarts gods. Their chemistry crackles—banter sharp, romance tender.
Nicholas Hoult’s Lex is no cartoon. He’s Elon Musk with a vendetta—brilliant, insecure, terrifying. The supporting League shines: Fillion’s Guy Gardner is a riot, Merced’s Hawkgirl fierce, Gathegi’s Terrific cool under pressure. Morgan and Campbell ground the Kansas scenes with quiet wisdom. Even Krypto, voiced by Gunn’s dog, feels soulful.
Direction and Craft: A Love Letter in Flight
Gunn directs with joy. Cinematographer Henry Braham paints Kansas golden and Metropolis sleek. The score by John Murphy blends John Williams’ iconic theme with new heroic motifs—brass swells, hopeful strings. VFX are seamless: Superman’s flight feels weightless yet powerful, heat vision like solar flares. Action is clear, kinetic, emotional—never chaotic.
Practical sets (the Kent farm, Daily Planet newsroom) anchor the fantasy. Costumes pop: Superman’s suit is bright, classic, with a flowing cape. Editing keeps the 148 minutes brisk—laughs, tears, and thrills in perfect rhythm.
Themes: Hope Is the Real Superpower
Superman isn’t about power. It’s about choice. Clark chooses kindness in a cruel world. He chooses truth over fear. In an era of grimdark heroes, Gunn’s Superman says: You don’t need to be dark to be deep. Hope isn’t naïve—it’s brave. The film celebrates community, family, and second chances. It’s It’s a Wonderful Life with flight and heat vision.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths: Corenswet and Brosnahan’s chemistry, Gunn’s heartfelt direction, a perfect blend of humor and heroics. The League cameos tease a bright DCU future. Krypto steals hearts.
Weaknesses: Luthor’s plan is complex but occasionally convoluted. Some VFX in the space battle feel rushed. Runtime could trim 10 minutes.
Conclusion: The Hero We Need
Superman (2025) is a triumph—9/10. It’s not just a great superhero movie; it’s a great movie. James Gunn delivers hope without cheese, action without cynicism, and a Superman who feels real. David Corenswet soars. The DCU has its North Star. In theaters July 11, 2025—bring tissues, bring kids, bring belief. Truth, justice, and a better tomorrow? They’re back.
