Warner Bros. and James Gunn are here to bring us a reboot of the DC Universe. This isn’t the first time DC has tried to breathe life into the franchise, but the stakes have never been higher for Gunn.

When Superman gets drawn into conflicts at home and abroad, his actions are questioned, giving tech billionaire Lex Luthor the opportunity to get the Man of Steel out of the way for good. Will intrepid reporter Lois Lane and Superman’s four-legged companion, Krypto, be able to help him before it’s too late?

Review

James Gunn’s reboot of the DC franchise with Superman has been one of the most anticipated new films of 2025. Dubbed the “Summer Of Superman”, the advertising push at times seemed a bit muted, which led many to be concerned over the quality of the kick-off of Gunn’s new vision for the DC universe. However, coming out of the screening for it, I can tell you one thing: It is Superman. And I mean that in the best way possible. I went in with a lot of concerns and low expectations based on DC’s past attempts.

Gunn has been clear that there are certain things he doesn’t want to rehash in his movies, such as the death of Batman’s parents or Baby Kal-El leaving Krypton in a rocket. So instead, we drop into Superman right in the thick of it all, right in the middle of battle. While still serious enough to be a Superman film, the tone strikes a good balance between humor and moments of levity, lending the film a more rounded and approachable feel.

Playing Superman/Clark Kent is David Corenswet. Corenswet comes across as an imperfect Superman, more human with faults and fractures in his personality that make him feel more human than any recent iteration of Superman has been. Playing opposite Corenswet as his nemesis Lex Luther is Nicholas Hoult, who portrays the intelligent yet obsessed head of LuthorCorp, hell-bent on ensuring Superman is out of the way for his plans. Hoult’s seemingly smug and confident personality for Lex was a counter to Corenswet’s vulnerable one. Scenes with Hoult and Corenswet solidify their on-screen chemistry as we watch the vulnerable and confident personalities slowly intertwine and shift places by the end of the film, culminating in a nearly perfectly choreographed superhero story.

Superman and Lex are not the other characters in this story. The relationship between Lois Lane and Clark Kent/Superman feels grounded, authentic, and imperfect, as you might expect from someone as high-profile as Superman. Rachel Brosnahan pulls off a confident truth seeker and a grounding rod for Superman as Lane. On Superman’s side of things, we also meet the Justice Gang (but 2/3rds of that group don’t like to be called that). The team consists of Guy Gardner (Fillion), Hawkgirl (Merced), and Mister Terrific (Gathegi). They are an imperfect team, but a fun addition to the film and the world being built.

On Clark Kent’s side at the Daily Planet, we have Jimmy Olson (Skyler Gisondo) and Perry White (Wendell Pierce). Oh, and let us not forget Krypto, Superman’s super-powered dog who, at times, is unruly but proves to be Superman’s best friend in the end, even if he is a bit much to handle at times.

Plot-wise, Superman wasn’t difficult to follow, as we see Lex Luthor engaging in backroom deals and attempting to defame Superman for his purposes. While Gunn made it clear in interviews that he had no interest in exploring Superman’s arrival on Earth as a baby, the message from his Kryptonian parents became a central piece to the story. The message from his parents was partially lost when he crash-landed; however, when it was recovered, it was not what Clark or anyone else might have expected. This change may divide fans somewhat, but I felt it worked well here.

Gunn managed to slide in an assortment of cameos and call-backs to help build the future world of the franchise. We won’t spoil them here today, so you can go into the film and be surprised, but pay close attention. Familiar characters, unexpected castings, and hidden easter eggs dot their way throughout the film. However, don’t worry that you will have to know who everyone is or what they mean to enjoy the movie. I know I missed a few, and it didn’t distract from the story or the film.

James Gunn had a massive undertaking on his hands. In a time when superhero franchises are waning in viewer interest, the DC universe has struggled to find its footing. Could he pull off a reboot without it face-planting from the start? I think he pulled it off. Superman is the closest thing to the comics we have seen on screen, but also remains accessible to those who have not read any of the comics. A well-rounded cast that together on screen fits together like a well-oiled machine. I walked out of this Superman being genuinely interested in the DC Universe for the first time.

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