The Man of Steel returns on a quest for peace
Directed by: James Gunn
Written by: James Gunn
Starring: David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult
Rated PG-13 for violence, action, and language
Release Date: July 11, 2025
Runtime: 2:09
This review may contain spoilers
Under new management
When Superman was released in 1978, it amazed viewers. Perfect casting and directing; it really showed they cared, making audiences believe a man could fly. Sequels followed, then a reboot, and even an attempt to build a cinematic universe with Man of Steel.
Director James Gunn now brings a new Superman story with new faces and gives the big guy his freakin’ red trunks again.
Superman returns to the big screen… again!
David Corenswet now steps into the red trunks of Superman, who has been in the superhero business for about three years. After putting a stop to a political invasion of a smaller country (made-up countries and made-up country names), the people of Metropolis and the world are questioning Superman’s motives.
Things get worse when lifelong arch-nemesis and billionaire Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult, Hulu’s The Great) reveals a hidden secret from Superman’s Kryptonian parents, which will give him the public edge to destroy Superman once and for all.
Awkward.
Post-DCEU
For those not aware yet, this is not connected to Man of Steel, Batman v Superman, or any of the recent DC movies. The Suicide Squad (the second one, also directed by James Gunn) is a bit of a grey spot.
Additionally, since this movie marks the start of a whole new, interconnected narrative, it also means no Henry Cavill. It’s a hard fact to accept, especially when it looked like he was coming back after Black Adam. He was even leaving The Witcher on Netflix to keep playing Superman.
Dawn of DCU
James Gunn is creating his own universe called the DC Universe, shortened to DCU. Like how Marvel has split up their movies into “phases,” Gunn has chapters for his DCU, starting with “Chapter One: Gods and Monsters.”
Superman can be seen as a god to us mere humans, plus there’s a kaiju fight, so there’s your monster. Name checks out so far.
Not an origin story
The DCU starts up with Superman already fighting metahumans (DC characters with superpowers) and monsters. By this time, Metropolis should already have outrageous city property damage insurance. Like, how do people honestly live in these cities with supervillains demolishing a quarter of it every couple of years?
I appreciate not having to relearn Superman’s origin for the fifth friggin’ time. Thank you very much. We get it; he’s a freaking alien with dead parents from an exploded planet.
While Superman and Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan, Amazon Prime’s The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) are having a talk, there’s a big fight going on in the background between a giant interdimensional space-eye-monster and the Justice Gang.
Superman sees this going on outside his apartment window, but he’s like, “Nah, those guys got it. It’s cool.”
Oh my God, Color!
One easy crack at the DCEU (I know, I’m harping on this) was how dark the movies were. Superman’s suit was so dark blue that it was almost black.
No, not this time! Superman is boldly wearing his red and blue colors like a Tide detergent commercial!
From aerial fights in Metropolis to dark, shadowy places in Lex’s mega-prison, every scene is lit up like looking at a comic book. It’s refreshing seeing him as a bright beacon of hope, which is how I always saw him as a kid.
Bright colors feel right for Superman; leave the dark and gritty for Batman. That’s his territory.
Just a super guy
David Corenswet plays the dual roles of Clark Kent and Superman well, portraying Superman as pretty damn fallible. The movie starts him off with a super-powered villain overpowering him, and he struggles in fights, given that he’s still new. Actually, he struggles in a giant monster fight, struggles with his dog, and is even beaten in a super prison created by his most hated Earthly enemy, Lex Luthor.
Maybe the “S” stands for Struggle.
Corenswet may not be as big as Henry Cavil and Christopher Reeve, but his version has a lot of heart. His Superman hasn’t earned his place as a public hero yet; people are still unsure of him.
“Brain beat brawn!”
A better improvement, Lex Luthor is a crazy billionaire obsessed with Superman and totally at peace with that. He’s well aware of it as a flaw, yet justifies it as enough reason to kill Superman.
He’s that kind of villain who’s an absolute little shit who you want to see get punched in the face. But he’s still entertaining to watch, especially to see his eventual comeuppance in the end.
Now that I’m thinking about it, there are a lot of similarities between Lex Luthor and The High Evolutionary from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (Also directed by Gunn).
Who’s a good little superhero?
Krypto may have stolen the movie. He’s a cute, little scruffy mutt with his own cape. The movie doesn’t waste time introducing him, having him arrive just before the opening credits. Seeing him being mischievous and just being a dog (that’s strong enough to hurt even Superman with pounces) really connects and makes him lovable.
I mean, how can you be mad at that face even after destroying a pet store for a squeaky toy?
Actually, that’s kind of a fun idea for a horror movie – a petsitter dealing with a rabid superpowered dog. I need to patent that – Super-Cujo!
Super-Punk?
The soundtrack isn’t Guardians of the Galaxy, but Gunn still has a couple of his personal flair in music choices. It’s a way shorter list this time, showing that Superman grew up with punk rock.
Clark Kent growing up on a Kansas farmland? I dunno… that’s hard to see.
I’m not exactly sure what music Superman would be into, but punk rock just isn’t what I’d picture. Maybe that would work for Superboy, but that’s a whole different Superman.
The “Superman March” theme from the Christopher Reeve movies returns. And why shouldn’t it? It’s iconic!
Composer John Murphy creates a new version of the classic theme, giving it a more modern sound, fitting for this film.
Super-start to a new legacy
Unlike Man of Steel, Superman doesn’t take itself so damn seriously and just goes all in on the silly. And when I say silly, I mean everything from Guy Gardner’s bowl cut to Luthor’s ridiculously advanced technology.
It’s honestly just fun. It’s entertaining and a lot of fun to watch. Superman is as powerful as he ever was, but he’s more human. He’s prone to mistakes and stumbles, giving us a hero to root for. Plus, he’s a superhero with a dog. How can you hate a guy like that, unless you’re a bald asshole with a creepy obsession with aliens?
There is a mid-credit scene and a post-credit scene.
Superman is currently playing in theaters.
