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A look at Superman Reborn Under James Gunn
James Gunn’s Superman, which came out on July 11, 2025, brings colour, heart, and a little bit of fun weirdness back to the DC Universe. The movie doesn’t start with an origin narrative; instead, it drops us into a world where Superman is already established and misunderstood. This is a commentary on media manipulation, geopolitics, and identity in the current world.
Critics liked it a lot. Rotten Tomatoes gave it an 82%–84% rating, and CinemaScore audiences gave it an A− and 86% said they would recommend it. After a great opening weekend, the movie made $314.5 million at the global box office.
The heart of the movie is the performances.
David Corenswet plays Clark Kent/Superman with a mix of honesty, hope, love, and subtle charm. He brings back the iconic Superman spirit without copying old versions. His performance is the emotional heart of the movie, blending strength and weakness.
Rachel Brosnahan plays Lois Lane. She is sharp, independent, and sure of herself. People often appreciate her for giving Lois a modern agency. Has great “Clois” chemistry with Corenswet, but doesn’t get much screen time in the crowded ensemble.
Nicholas Hoult plays Lex Luthor. A great villain: smart, planned out, and strangely modern in his tech-bro obsession and charm to Lex, making him both fun and scary.
Highlights of the Supporting Cast
- Edi Gathegi is a great Mr. Terrific because he is charming and has depth.
- Fillion plays Guy Gardner in a way that sticks with you, even though his hair is weird.
- Isabela Merced’s Hawkgirl, Wendell Pierce’s Perry White, and others bring potential but don’t get enough screen time.
What Works Well
- Visuals and Tone: Bright, comic-book-style visuals with action-packed scenes offer energy and happiness, which is a big change from the dark DC movies of the past few years.
- Emotional Core: Instead of world-ending stakes, it focuses on empathy, morality, and identity. Superman’s reluctance to kill, along with his embrace of compassion, is clearly conveyed.
- Funny and charming: Krypto the Superdog and other quirky side characters add humor and fun, making it feel like Gunn’s Guardians in a cape.
Flaws and Criticisms
- Too Many Characters: The movie introduces a lot of heroes and villains right away, which makes it messy and hard to follow at times. The pacing is off and there is too much exposition.
- Tone Swings: The jumps between serious moments and silly humor can make the story appear disconnected, which lowers the tension.
- Some supporting characters, like Lois Lane and Hawkgirl, aren’t fully developed because they are intended to set up the franchise.
- CGI Overload: Some of the CGI scenes in the last part of the movie are visually stunning but seem shallow or overdone.
Final Decision
Superman (2025) is a reboot that gives the Man of Steel a fresh look and feel for a new era. It is full of promise and looks great. The performances, notably those by Corenswet, Brosnahan, and Hoult, give the movie real emotional weight, even though it sometimes stumbles under the weight of its large canvas. James Gunn’s movies are a nice change from the dark DC movies of the past because they have a lighter tone and focus on characters.
This is a great start for those who like superhero stories with heart and character, as well as those who want to know what will happen next in the DC Universe.
In a Nutshell
- Tone and pictures Bright, colorful, and like a comic book
- Cast and Acting Corenswet plays Superman, Brosnahan plays Lois, and Hoult plays Lex.
- Story Identity, media ethics, and empathy are some of the themes.
- Mistakes A lot of exposition, a lot of characters, and sometimes too much CGI
Superman (2025) has the hope, heroism, and humor that the character deserves. It does this with superb performances and a new, bold tone for the DCU.
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