James Gunn had an almost impossible task ahead of him: revive one of cinema’s most iconic characters, reset a fractured cinematic universe, and win back a skeptical audience burned by the missteps of the past.
And somehow, astonishingly, he pulled it off. ‘Superman’ is not only a brilliant superhero movie; it’s a film that signals the official arrival of a new DC Universe that fans can finally believe in again.
David Corenswet Soars As A Classic, Compassionate Superman
Much of Superman’s success can be credited to David Corenswet. Corenswet’s performance is not a mimicry of past Supermen; instead, he delivers a version of Clark Kent that feels warm, deeply human, and quietly heroic. His Clark is dorky with a strong moral compass, a quality sorely missing from many recent portrayals of superheroes.
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His Superman, meanwhile, is every bit the hopeful symbol he’s supposed to be, powerful, yes, but compassionate first and foremost. There’s a scene in the film where he saves a train full of passengers, and it feels quintessentially Superman. Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane is also amazing. She’s smart, quick-witted, and emotionally grounded, standing toe-to-toe with Superman in every scene.
Their chemistry is playful, respectful, and layered. It’s the kind of romantic dynamic that feels earned, not forced. Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor is chilling in the best way. He’s not the exaggerated megalomaniac of previous versions; he’s cold, brilliant, and terrifyingly plausible. Hoult’s interactions with Corenswet’s Superman are charged with philosophical weight. This elevates their conflict beyond just good vs. evil into something much more existential.
James Gunn’s New DCU Has A Bright New Future
It’s easy to be cynical about superhero films these days. The genre feels bloated, with too many entries. However, ‘Superman’ is different. Gunn sidesteps origin story fatigue with confidence. We don’t get Krypton’s destruction or the farmboy’s first flight in full detail, and we don’t need to. Gunn trusts the audience’s familiarity and instead focuses on what Superman means now, in a modern world.
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There’s a gentleness to Gunn’s storytelling here that might surprise fans of his other work (The Suicide Squad, Guardians of the Galaxy). Yes, the humor is still present, but it’s overwhelming. The action sequences are clean. It is a movie that dares to believe in the good in people. It reminds us that strength isn’t in power alone but in kindness, selflessness, and hope.
In one of the film’s most stirring moments, Clark, grappling with doubt, asks his adoptive mother Martha if he’s doing enough. “You’re doing more than most. You’re giving them someone to believe in,” she says, highlighting the film’s themes. The film is also self-aware of its place. It subtly comments on hero-worship, media manipulation, and the fine line between vigilance and fear, all while never losing sight of its uplifting core.
‘Superman’ feels sincere, and that sincerity is its greatest superpower. All in all, if the film is any indication of what James Gunn and Peter Safran have in store for the DC Universe, then we’re about to witness greatness. For longtime fans, ‘Superman’ is a triumphant return to form. Additionally, even for newcomers, it’s a perfect entry point.
