James Gunn’s new Superman movie is a bold, ambitious reboot that hits as often as it misses.
While the action is thrilling and Superman himself is portrayed with heart and sincerity, the film struggles under the pressure of launching an entire cinematic universe. It’s overstuffed with characters, uneven in tone, and often pushes aside its emotional core in favor of setup. Still, there’s enough charm and promise here to keep fans cautiously optimistic about what’s coming next.
I liked it a lot, but I wish I loved it. That’s where I ultimately land with this new Superman film over the Snyder ones. It’s easy to understand why some people are calling it their favorite take on the character. The fight scenes are energetic, the cast delivers solid performances across the board, and this version of Superman feels authentic. He’s thoughtful, earnest, and emotionally grounded in a way that stays true to the character’s legacy. But throughout the movie, there’s a constant tug of war between telling a great Superman story and laying the groundwork for a larger universe. When director James Gunn leans into the former, the film shines. When the latter takes over, the seams begin to show.
One of the film’s biggest challenges is the sheer number of characters it tries to juggle. Mr. Terrific is a standout, and Guy Gardner steals every scene he’s in, but others like Hawkgirl feel underdeveloped. Her repetitive hawk scream quickly wears thin, and she contributes little emotionally or narratively. Metamorpho and his son are present, but it’s hard to say why. Even much of the Daily Planet staff feels like background dressing, with Lois and Jimmy being the only ones given meaningful focus. It’s clear the movie is more concerned with laying a foundation for future stories than making every moment resonate in the present.
One scene that fell flat for me was the interview between Lois and Superman. It’s meant to mark a turning point where Clark begins to realize the world doesn’t always reward moral clarity. But instead of landing with emotional weight, it comes off as petulant, like a teenager sulking because his worldview was challenged. The chemistry between Clark and Lois is strong, but the emotional fallout from that moment is never fully addressed. Lois says she knew it wouldn’t work, and then the movie rushes to a declaration of love and Superman saving the day.
[It all feels a bit unearned.]
Another issue is how often Superman gets beaten down, not just physically, but politically, emotionally, and existentially. Gunn’s intent is clear. He wants to humanize Superman and make him more relatable. But it borders on exhausting. Instead of feeling powerful, Superman often feels diminished. By the time the final battle hits and he finally unleashes his full strength, it doesn’t feel triumphant. It feels overdue. The pocket dimension sequence, in particular, is grim. Watching Superman slowly die from Kryptonite while a civilian is murdered in front of him, without any real resolution, feels bleak and tonally off for a character meant to embody hope.
Lex Luthor, however, is one of the film’s highlights. Nicholas Hoult brings a creepy, charismatic energy to the role, and his manipulation of events makes him a credible threat. Still, the idea that he can predict Superman’s every move simply from watching him stretches credibility. Anticipating general behavior makes sense, but pinpointing exact physical responses in real time feels like a leap.
Then there’s the twist about Kal-El’s parents being authoritarian or space fascists. Thematically, it’s an attempt to emphasize that one’s origins don’t define them. But it comes off as heavy-handed. Instead of adding nuance, it plays more like an over-explained metaphor.
The third act suffers from pacing issues and tonal imbalance. Humor frequently undercuts the tension, and the structure feels inconsistent. If you don’t immediately buy into Gunn’s lived-in universe approach, the rest of the film can feel disjointed. Personally, I thought the world-building was handled well enough, but it could be a hurdle for casual viewers.
Interestingly, the second act worked better for me than the first. The scenes where Superman surrenders to Rick Flag Sr., and the subplot involving Jimmy Olsen, brought a surprising amount of emotional weight. Those grounded, morally complex moments added a depth that the chaotic opening lacked.
Visually, the kaiju battle is a high point. It’s massive, stylish, and undeniably fun. It stands out as one of the more memorable superhero action sequences in recent years. That said, the setup for it was shaky. I was initially confused about how Lex gained access to the Fortress, though the third act clears that up. Still, casual viewers may be left scratching their heads before the film catches up.
In the end, it’s not one of James Gunn’s best efforts, but it’s not a failure either. The film is ambitious and messy, weighed down by the responsibility of launching a new universe while trying to tell a meaningful Superman story. Despite its flaws, there’s heart, humor, and just enough hope to keep me invested. I’m not in love with it, but I am curious to see where it all goes next.
