Writer of Pop Culture

Unlike Disney’s Marvel Studios movies where every film and TV series are similar and hinge on the others, Warner Bros. movies based on DC Comics have been all over the board in terms of tone and direction. And because of that, Superman has had a bit of an identity crisis.

After a (mostly) successful run with Christopher Reeve playing the title character in four films from 1973-1987, Warner Bros. planned another sequel in 2006 with Superman Returns with Brandon Routh standing in for Reeve. The story ignored the events that took place in the series’ last two chapters and set the new storyline after Superman II. Superman Returns got mostly positive reviews from critics, and it did well in the box office too, but not as well as WB wanted, so another sequel was scrapped.

In 2013, the DC Extended Universe decided to go with a newer version of the superhero in Man of Steel. Portrayed by Henry Cavill, this Superman was more serious than any of the other Supermen who proceeded him. This was accentuated by having the character wear a deep, dark blue and burgundy suit (sans the red underwear). Cavill was great, but Superman wasn’t meant to be another brooding superhero like Batman. He’s a man of hope.

Directed by James Gunn (who also wrote the script), 2025’s Superman is the first film under the new DC Studios branding. Portrayed by David Corenswet, this Superman is a return to form, red trunks and all. He looks and acts like the superhero we grew up from the comic books to Superfriends. In some scenes, his jet-black hair has a tinge of blue, just like the comic book character has. Despite the bad things that people throw at him (and they throw a lot), he’s not jaded. At least, not in the beginning.

While this is considered a reboot of the franchise, Superman does not begin with an origin story. Gunn is assuming that we already know the basics of Superman lore. In fact, the story takes place three years after the character does his first good deed.

Working as a reporter for the Daily Planet as Clark Kent, he has been dating ace reporter Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan) for months now. And since we already know who the villain is, no time is spent on why Lex Luther (Nicholas Hoult) hates the Man of Steel. Instead, we are thrust into his lair of sorts getting the scoop on how this baddie plans to take him down.

In a sense, it’s like skipping the first couple chapters of a storybook. We enter in the middle of the story, not the beginning. Superman is already well-loved, but we learn that while he was trying to do good for the people of Metropolis (and the world for that matter), his actions and motives are now being put into question. But he is driven by his purpose for living given to him by his parents from his home planet, Krypton.

Despite this movie being a really fun flick, Gunn could ease back a bit and learn from the old adage, sometimes less is more. There are so many plot points and characters that play out in this spectacle – enough to two fill two movies as least. Even so, every character has been well thought out. Lois’ portrayal is reminiscent of Margot Kidder’s version of the character from years ago. She has a particularly good scene sparring with Clark as she “interviews” Superman and he gets defensive.

Nicholas Hoult is excellent as Lex, but his shaved head makes him look as if he is 12 years old. Maybe that is by design? He is aided by a tough character called The Engineer (a metahuman played by Maria Gabriela) whose body contains a ton of nanites which she can manipulate to do all kinds of nasty stuff. Sara Sampaio plays Eve, Lex’s influencer arm candy, who Gunn has said is based on a character from a previous Donner Superman film, not a character found in any of the comic books.

Over at the Daily Planet, there’s editor Perry White (Wendell Pierce) and Jimmy Olsen (Skyler Gisondo). Back in Smallville is Ma Kent (Neva Howell) and Pa Kent (Pruitt Taylor Vince) who has a very touching scene with his adopted alien son. I also appreciate that Will Reeve, son of Christopher Reeve, gets a cameo playing an on-the-ground-reporter.

Superman is also aided by three other metahumans known as “The Justice Gang” led by Guy Gardner, aka Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion). The other “Superfriends” are Mr. Terrific (Edi Gathegi) and Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced).

And the best character of all – Krypto the dog, who I believe has never been shown in a live action version of Superman before. He can’t be trained in the least and is hilarious. Just like us all and our pets, Clark loves him. Every kid is going to want one of these.

Superman is rated PG-13. It is good-natured and features a lot of comedy. However, some scenes might be too intense for young kids. One scene is particularly shocking which shows just how bad Lex Luther really is, but it is unnerving just the same. The characters in the movie also throw out a lot of s-words and I don’t mean “Superman”.

So much of Superman is WAY over the top (but by now, we’re pretty used to that in superhero movies, right?) and the story gets muddled with too many details, but overall, it is a great start to a new franchise. The only thing missing is the phrase, “Look! Up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s…” Well, you know.

All images: DC Studios/Warner Bros.