Superman (2025)
EDIT: I wrote this in July of 2025, but it did not post on my blog until now! Sorry!
A couple of weeks ago, I went and saw the Superman (2025) film directed by James Gunn.
Going into it, a few mixed thoughts: “Is this movie going to be another origin story?”. “What does James Gunn going to bring that isn’t adding to the already cringiness of present Marvel films and past DC films”, and “man, I really hope this is a good movie.”
I have been a DC comics fan since I was a child. I grew up reading the comics and fell in love with the stories. You can imagine my dismay when I watched the movie adaptations in the early 2000s and was not as impressed (other than Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy). The tv shows in the 1980s/90s and early 2000s were not as bad. I was excited and scared to have this new take on Superman all while I was interested in learning more about the lawsuit against the movie from the estate citing copyright lawsuit. Anyway, let’s get to the movie specifics:
General Movie Rating and Thoughts:
This movie takes the heart of Superman and what DC comics also represents (sacrifice, recognition of self, and understanding your enemy), and turns it into an exciting hero’s journey that is both wholesome as well as a reminder in today’s reality on how to treat others. The movie is paced well where we get hints and homages to other Superman’s, we see an easter egg of the bat signal, and we see the Lois & Clark love story without focusing too much on the romance and losing the plot.
The general feel of the movie made me experience multiple emotions—which I look for when I watch a new film. I left understanding the movie, but wanting to see any hints or themes I missed. I went back for a second watch.
The second watch allowed me to really focus on each character more. I reflected on Eve’s attitude towards Lex, the complicated nature of Lois wanting a relationship and feeling lost, and how Clark felt obligated to fulfill a role based on both sets of his parents (biological and adopted). The second watch also had the same amount of fun in it. I didn’t lose any fun, didn’t become annoyed by any of the plot, and was able to dive into small easter eggs (like Gotham City, the bat signal, etc.).
Overall general movie earned an 8/10 or a 4/5 star rating.
Acting:
David Corenswet and Nicholas Hoult offered such fresh faces and takes on their respective roles as Superman and Lex Luthor. David’s acting, specifically in his body language made me truly believe he felt what he was saying. While at times there was some monotonous or what I think could have been more passionate moments in line delivery, David was able to capture the naivety, innocence, and strength of who Clark Kent is as a person.
Nicholas Hoult offered such a harsh, comedic, and passionate take on Lex Luthor and his quest to take down Superman. He made you question if there was a background history if Lex was literally a guy who just was Superman’s #1 hater. His line delivery, positioning to the camera, and facial expressions added more to how his character just needed vengence towards Superman.
Rachel Brosnahan was great as Lois Lane. I am bias because I do enjoy Rachel as an actress, but I was worried how she would come off as Lois in this movie. She captured both the anxious woman who is scared of love, but also an independent woman who is able to voice her concerns to her partner. I think she gave a great new light on Lois Lane and offered a truly likeable, not just damsel-in-distress, Lois Lane.
The rest of the crew (Nathan, Isabela, Edi, Skylar, etc.) gave great support and the necessary characters we need in our world today, Showing that support, friends, and sidekicks are what you need to succeed each actor took their character to a believable level where I wouldn’t be surprised if I casually ran into them.
Overall acting earned a 7/10.
Overall production/affect on viewer: 8/10
This movie was so well timed in both political world but also the superhero world. The art of creativity, of voicing concerns for others while also having a true hero’s dilemma is something that was fresh to see after a jumble of superhero movies in the past couple of years. While the movie itself was not the most outstanding, it left me feeling both sentimental as well as hopeful. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie and would recommend it.