Movie Review – Superman (2025)

James Gunn’s interpretation of the Man of Steel brings kindness and joy back to Superman. I had questioned whether there was room for this character in modern times given what he represented after Zach Snyder gave us a depressed Superman in hiding who didn’t take the fight with Zod away from the crowded city and allowed thousands to die. Whether he could exist without a high death toll or if Zach Snyder just did not fully understand the character. It’s obvious now that in the right hands Superman can exist the way he was intended.

This isn’t an origin story, but a film that starts right after Superman’s first defeat at the hands of a masked meta human. Lex Luthor’s villain status is set up immediately as he manipulates the world through social media against Superman and has designed a fighter who equals Superman’s power in every way except one. This genetically engineered fighter can’t think for himself.

The Green Lantern’s Guy Gardner, Hawkgirl, and Mr. Terrific dynamic gives cynical humor to the proceedings. And it gives Mr. Terrific time to shine in a film with some brains over brawn themes throughout. Props to Nathan Fillion and Edi Gathegi for giving such memorable performances here.

Lois Lane’s relationship with Clark Kent is in full swing, but has its issues, just like the world’s relationship with Superman. The parallels between the these two relationships are told side by side and share the same arc. Love him. Fallout with him. Love him again.

Lois and her colleagues also embody what the news media should be. A way of getting the truth out in front of all the falsehoods that proliferate on social media. Lex Luthor employs literal monkeys to spread his hate against Superman. It’s Lois and the Daily Planet who shows the world who Lex Luthor really is. This is what our media should be doing. Point taken, Mr. Gunn.

When Lex Luthor turns the world against Superman, he is able to remove him from the picture by hiding him in a pocket universe. This version of Luthor played by Nicholas Hoult is my favorite version of him. Vile. Unforgiving. Hatred rooted in fear and ego. Shades of Eric Bana’s performance in 2007’s Star Trek when his villain, blinded by rage and hate, yelled to his own detriment, “Fire everything!” This is the Lex Luthor we deserve in modern times. An allegory for just how very angry our hate has become and how easy it is to manipulate.

Superman is his polar opposite. An alien raised by humans. Taught to love deeply with kindness and empathy. Even when Superman discovers his parents’ plan for him was to rule over Earth, not be part of life here, he chooses to embody the best parts of humanity. To preserve life instead of destroy it. In our current times where hatred for our differences has become normalized, it’s refreshing to see such a meaningful message.

And then there’s Krypto. The mischievous dog had me at hello. What a scene stealer. There’s a great cameo at the end of the film that I won’t spoil, but it has me excited for what Gunn has in store for us in the future.

Comic books have always been political. Superman was always a beacon of hope. The protector of human life who learned to be the best of us from the best of us. Maybe the world needs more of this.

4 out of 5 stars. See this one on the big screen. Pass the popcorn.