From The Newsletter: Superman (2025)
My thoughts on the latest Superman movie from James Gunn
This was originally written for my weekly newsletter
W/D: James Gunn
The first year of the new DCU belongs to James Gunn! Frankly, I think he’s doing his best work. It’s been so interesting to see him grow as a filmaker from Guardians of the Galaxy to Superman. To get this right out of the way… I loved it. Absolutely loved Superman. The more I think about it, the more I love it and I want to see it again very badly.
I was concerend going into the film that it would feel overstuffed because of how many characters are featured. Specifically how many prominate DC heroes are feature. But I ended up not feeling that way. I do want to see more of the “Justice Gang,” specifically Hawkgirl. I don’t think she gets as much to do as anyone else. But, this being a shared universe, then I know she’ll show up again.
I still think that Nathan Fillion is to old. I do not agree with the decision to cast Guy Gardner as a 57 year old man. Nor do I agree with the decision to cast Hal Jordan with a 59 year old man. But that’s a problem for next year. I got to admit though, Fillion is great as Guy. I also really like how they visualized the ring constructs and thought that there was a lot of imagination that went into every one of them. It was just giants fists punching people.
The Daily Planet crew is probably my favorite live-action interpretation of them. There hasn’t been a lot to be fair, but I think all the actors nailed it. This is true for everyone in the film by the way. While it’s called Superman, every character gets at least one memorable moment, either in the form of comedy or action. But one of my favorite scenes is when the Daily Planet crew are together while Lois solves Luthor’s plan.
This movie has some crazy ideas and concepts that feel so at home in a comic book. It makes me so happy how unashamed it is to be a comic book movie and how it leans into Superman with no fear at all. There are pocket dimensions and battles in front of black holes. Giant monsters, a dog that can fly and a flying command center that seperates from an impossible office building while the city is splitting apart. But at the heart, it’s about a guy doing the right thing because he’s a kind person.
I haven’t talked at all about Superman himself, David Corenswet. He’s wonderful in the role. Vulnerable and kind at all times. The film hits it over the head a couple of times about how “everyone is human” in the metaphorical sense, but I apprecaited it, because I think a Superman movie, especially a 21st century Superman movie, needs to be preachy. We live in a post-Man of Steel world, and we needed to be reminded that Superman’s power isn’t his god-like abilities, it’s his kindness.
I could keep going for paragraphs on this film. Rachel Brosnahan is wonderful as Lois Lane. Krypto is a good boy and I would die for him. Nicholas Hoult is a great Lex Luthor, who gets some excellent standout moments, that makes him one of the best Luthor’s we’ve ever gotten. They really nail why he hates Superman.
The film has a great energy to it. It moves at a brisk pace and has multiple fun and unique action scenes. The music is great, not just because it incorperates the John Williams theme. I love how it’s shot and how it looks. I genuinly love this movie and think it might be one of the best of the year and one of the best superhero movies we’ve gotten. There were multiple moments where I cried because of how inspiring it is.
I look forward to seeing Superman again, not just as a movie but as a character. I want a dedicated sequel to this so I can see this cast again as soon as possible. I’m all in on the new DCU that Gunn is building and I feel like I did back when Iron Man came out. Limitless possibilites. I hope that I become just as tired of David Corenswet returning as Superman as I am of Robert Downey Jr. returing to the MCU.
Peacemaker is next and then an exciting year 2 for the DCU.