Forget everything you think you know about the Man of Steel. When you hear “Superman,” you probably picture a hero who sweeps in, fixes every problem, and sends bad guys packing. You expect someone who makes the impossible look easy. But what if a Superman movie started with our hero getting pummeled? What if he kept taking hits right until the end? You might feel a little cheated, wouldn’t you? This isn’t the Superman we grew up with. This is more like “Super-Emotional,” or maybe “Duffer-Man.” He’s everything but truly super.
Here are the basic facts about this new film:
- Movie: Superman
- Cast: David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult, Edi Gathegi, Anthony Carrigan
- Writer: James Gunn
- Director: James Gunn
- Producers: Peter Safran, James Gunn
- Release: July 11, 2025
- Rating: 2/5
The story itself feels like it was written for a very young audience. Superman is trying to protect the people of Jarhanpur. This town is under threat from Boravia, a nation that happens to be an ally of America. When Superman steps in, surprisingly, the American people turn against him. To make things worse, a jealous businessman named Lex Luthor uses this situation. He stirs up trouble and turns everyone even more against Superman. So, the whole movie is about Superman trying to prove he’s innocent. He also has to figure out how to save himself and the Americans from this mess. It’s a simple setup, almost too simple for a big superhero movie.
Let’s talk about the performances. David Corenswet steps into Superman’s iconic suit this time. Henry Cavill played the role in 2013’s ‘Man of Steel’ and 2016’s ‘Batman v Superman’. Corenswet looks the part well enough. You might believe he’s Superman at first. But as the film goes on, seeing your hero constantly lose and get beaten starts to annoy you. Rachel Brosnahan does a good job as Lois Lane. She and David share a nice on-screen chemistry.
Nicholas Hoult appears bald as the villain, Lex Luthor. You might remember him as Hank/Beast from the ‘X-Men’ movies. His acting is fine, but his character isn’t written strongly. He doesn’t feel like a truly dangerous enemy. The real standout performance, surprisingly, comes from Superman’s super-dog, Krypto. This character is entirely made with computer effects. Yet, Krypto’s actions and expressions throughout the movie are sure to bring a smile to your face. He’s arguably the most memorable part of the film. The rest of the supporting cast does an adequate job.
It’s quite surprising that James Gunn directed this movie. He’s the same person who brought us hits like ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ and was involved with Marvel films like ‘Thor’ and ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’. His biggest mistake here was not deciding who the film was for. Parts of the plot and many characters seem made for children. Yet, there’s a political conspiracy storyline that feels aimed at adults. This mix just doesn’t work. The story is very straightforward. There’s almost no scene, except for one, that will get your heart pounding. You won’t feel the kind of excitement you expect from a superhero epic. The background music also isn’t very catchy or memorable. On the bright side, the visual effects (VFX) are impressive, which is typical for big Hollywood productions.
So, should you see ‘Superman’? If you’re looking for a superhero who gets defeated by machines built by regular people, cries a lot, and shows a sensitive side, then go for it. Otherwise, my advice is to take your kids. Even they might find Krypto, the super-dog, to be a more exciting hero than Superman himself. Just be aware there are two kissing scenes in the film. You’ll have to decide if that’s okay for the younger viewers in your group.