Superman – Hope Again

Superman has been an absolute joy to watch. It has truly reaffirmed my passion for the DCU and given me the guiding light that I believe James Gunn wants audiences to see. Gunn clearly has a deep love for DC as a franchise and understands its characters well enough to make this a great starting point for launching his own DC Universe whether in film, TV, or other mediums. Coming off the collapse of the Snyder franchise, Gunn has shown that there is hope for DC once again.

Superman’s Core Ideals

Superman is a character built on the belief that doing the right thing is a virtue in itself. He strives to do what’s right in any situation, and this is perfectly captured in David Corenswet as Clark Kent. He often says things that are true sometimes bluntly so without dressing them up to sound more palatable or dramatic. It’s an honest, human quality that was missing from Man of Steel, which carried an air of gravitas and bravado that pushed the idea of Superman as an unstoppable god. Gunn’s interpretation keeps the truth of Superman’s power but also grounds him as fundamentally human not physically, but in his mindset and moral compass.#

A Fully Realized World

The world of Superman in this film is already well-established from the start. Metahumans have existed for over 30 years, and the people in this world live with that reality. You might expect this setup to feel rushed, but it doesn’t. The story is hyper-focused on Superman himself rather than juggling dozens of other characters. While heroes like Mr. Terrific, Guy Gardner, and Hawkgirl appear, they remain secondary to the central narrative. The movie knows exactly what story it wants to tell and delivers it with clarity and focus—something many films lose when trying to balance too many major characters.

Tone and Style

Superman isn’t perfect some jokes miss the mark, and a few feel unnecessary but it successfully creates a world that isn’t overly grim or self-serious. Compared to the dry, somber tone of Snyder’s films, this one is brighter, more hopeful, and full of energy. The characters take themselves seriously enough for the stakes to matter, but not so much that the film becomes humorless.

Standout Performances

The standout performances belong to Superman and Lex Luthor—especially Luthor, played by Nicholas Hoult. This Lex is the essence of the comic book character, going to extreme lengths to destroy Superman. He is the perfect antithesis to everything Superman stands for. Superman embodies hope, the belief in a better tomorrow, and the conviction that doing the right thing is always worthwhile. Luthor, on the other hand, is an oppressive, calculated menace. His goal isn’t just to kill Superman he wants to dismantle everything he represents, breaking him completely before delivering the final blow.

The Final Act

The film’s finale delivers. While it features the expected big VFX moments and set pieces, it also provides a satisfying conclusion that feels earned. It treats the immediate threat as something that must be resolved here and now, rather than saving it for future installments. The conflict with Luthor feels urgent and dangerous, making the climax both thrilling and meaningful.

A Promising Future for DC

With James Gunn at the helm, DC’s future looks bright. Superman was a fantastic watch, and I would gladly see it again. It has even made me consider checking out Gunn’s Peacemaker series, which shows how well this approach works. If it resonated with me this strongly, I suspect it will do the same for many others.

Highly recommended.