James Gunn‘s Superman film debuted recently in theaters worldwide, offering a fresh perspective on the iconic superhero that fans have eagerly awaited. This James Gunn Superman movie review explores the film’s standout achievements and noticeable shortcomings as it attempts to redefine Superman’s place in modern superhero cinema.
David Corenswet Brings Depth and Charm to Superman
The casting of David Corenswet as Clark Kent and Superman is among the movie‘s greatest successes. Corenswet, in his first major starring role, channels a genuine warmth and sincerity not seen since Christopher Reeve’s celebrated performances. Rather than treating Superman as a caricature or joke, he plays the character as a complex and relatable individual capable of soaring between moments of immense power and heartfelt vulnerability.
Corenswet impresses with his believable use of Superman’s abilities, such as heat vision and flight, while also convincingly portraying the awkwardness and kindness of Clark Kent. His natural screen presence creates an immediate connection, allowing audiences to feel the hero’s earnest affection for all living things. This layered performance anchors the ensemble cast, which also features notable supporting roles from actors like Edi Gathegi and Sara Sampaio, each leaving a memorable impact.
Portrayal of Lex Luthor as a Ruthless Antagonist
Contrasting many modern comic book villains who are burdened with tragic backstories, this film presents Lex Luthor, played by Nicholas Hoult, as an unapologetically evil figure from the start. Hoult’s Luthor embodies pure malice and bitterness, unafraid to commit atrocious acts and propagate dangerous lies to undermine Superman.
This straightforward villainy refreshes the film’s tone, moving away from the trend of creating sympathetic antagonists and instead delivering a Lex Luthor who is simply a detestable human being. Hoult’s fearless commitment to this dark, unrelenting persona makes his portrayal captivating, adding a layer of tension and menace that keeps the audience engaged.
Visual Style Falls Short of Cinematic Potential
While the film excels in storytelling and performances, its cinematography lacks the distinctive flair that might have elevated the viewing experience. Director James Gunn and cinematographer Henry Braham avoid exploring more stylized visuals in favor of a conventional look, foregoing opportunities to infuse the film with a striking, expressionist visual signature akin to Tim Burton’s Batman or the vibrant creativity of the Spider-Verse animations.
Color grading featuring dominant blue and yellow hues attempts to inject personality, but at times, bright digital lighting causes sets and costumes to appear artificially plastic, especially in grounded environments like palace interiors. The standard 1.85:1 aspect ratio also limits the framing’s precision, resulting in less dynamically composed scenes than would benefit a comic book adaptation. These visual elements do not fully match the energy and scope of the script and performances, leaving the cinematography as a weaker aspect of the production.
Jonathan Kent’s Emotional Guidance Scene Resonates Strongly
A standout moment is the poignant interaction between Clark Kent and his adoptive father, Jonathan Kent, portrayed by Pruitt Taylor Vince. Unlike earlier Superman adaptations where Pa Kent’s character often dies early, this film allows him to witness Clark’s journey into adulthood, creating a meaningful space for father-son dialogue.
On the family porch, Jonathan offers Clark consolation in a quiet scene filled with heartfelt wisdom. His remarks that
“Parents aren’t good at telling their kids what to do,”
followed by,
“Parents give their kids the tools they need to make fools of themselves,”
reveal a tender, imperfect humanity that grounds the film’s emotional core. Vince’s nuanced performance, with natural hesitations and authentic delivery, enhances the scene’s realism, making it one of the film’s most touching sequences.
Distinctive Dialogue and Well-Defined Character Voices
James Gunn’s screenplay capitalizes on a diverse array of distinct character voices, avoiding the pitfall of making all dialogue sound uniform or overly jokey. Characters like Mister Terrific and Eve Teschmacher deliver their lines with unique styles—the former speaking seriously, while the latter uses emphatic expressions. Meanwhile, Lois Lane’s pragmatic tone sharply contrasts with Clark Kent’s optimistic verbosity, enriching their interactions and deepening character dynamics.
This attention to varied speech patterns extends to other supporting characters as well, such as Guy Gardner’s confident, smug remarks and Jimmy Olsen’s befuddled observations amid conspiracies, adding flavor and personality. This verbal diversity provides a refreshing break from previous superhero movies that often lacked character individuality in dialogue and boosts the film’s overall entertainment value.
The Daily Planet Staff’s Forced Inclusion in the Climax Disrupts Flow
The film‘s ambitious scope focuses heavily on metahuman heroes like Metamorpho, but it regards the human characters at the Daily Planet more as side notes. While Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, Perry White, and Cat Grant appear sporadically, their emergent role during the climax feels awkward and extraneous.
As Superman battles Ultraman and Engineer amidst a crumbling Metropolis, the Daily Planet team retreats aboard Mister Terrific’s ship to prepare an exposé on Lex Luthor’s schemes. This subplot’s detachment from the main action fragments the narrative and undercuts the emotional stakes by sidelining key characters during the film’s most intense moments. Their subdued responses to chaos and the disjointed shifts to their perspective ultimately weaken the cohesion of the finale, signifying a missed opportunity to meaningfully integrate these familiar figures.
Self-Contained Story That Respects Its Audience
Opening text establishes a rich backstory revealing Metahumans’ existence on Earth for over 300 years, referencing the wider DC Universe. Despite this, the film notably avoids becoming a sprawling franchise setup or relying on unresolved plotlines. Instead, it delivers a standalone narrative with a focused arc centered on Superman and his immediate milieu, including characters like Hawkgirl, Metamorpho, and Mister Terrific, who each play integral roles.
Unlike recent superhero films burdened by cliffhangers and endless sequels, this movie wraps its main story with satisfying closure and steers clear of teasing larger threats such as Darkseid or Brainiac. The credit scenes offer simple glimpses into the lives of heroes, emphasizing a grounded tone rather than promotional hype for future projects. This approach provides a refreshing, crowd-pleasing film that respects its audience’s desire for completeness.
CG Baby Joey’s Appearance Undermines Emotional Impact
One notable flaw lies in the depiction of Metamorpho’s son, Joey, who appears entirely as a computer-generated character. This choice feels out of place amid the film’s strong practical effects, as Joey’s overly smooth and plastic-like appearance detracts from the emotional weight intended for his scenes.
The digital baby lacks the natural, imperfect qualities that might have made him visually compelling, resembling more of a commercialized toy than a vulnerable child. This design weakens audience sympathy, especially given the tension surrounding Joey’s safety as a hostage of Lex Luthor. The reliance on CGI for this character echoes missteps from recent DC films that struggled with digital infants, failing to enhance the narrative poignancy here.
Powerful Music Score Amplifies the Film’s Energy
John Murphy and David Fleming’s musical score injects vibrant energy into the film, marked notably by electric guitar-driven tracks that contrast with typical superhero soundtracks. Their work here surpasses Murphy’s subdued score for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, delivering compositions that felt both dynamic and emotionally resonant.
Tracks like “Speeding Bullet” capture the soaring spirit of Superman, blending vivacity with classical heroism, while pieces such as “Justice Gang vs. Kaiju” shift between tones reminiscent of Hans Zimmer’s work and lively, playful moments that mirror onscreen action. The music’s theatricality, especially evident in “Raising the Flag,” helps build tension and optimism without resorting to ironic edginess. While no score compares to John Williams’ legendary Superman themes, this duo offers fresh and compelling musical support to the movie’s narrative.
The Movie’s Unwavering Sincerity Sets It Apart
James Gunn’s Superman radiates sincerity in ways rare among contemporary superhero films. From the affection for classic costume designs to heartfelt themes of unity, compassion permeates every scene. Lois Lane’s line,
“You see the beauty in everyone,”
captures the core message that lifts the entire film, reinforcing an unabashedly hopeful worldview.
This compassionate portrayal extends beyond human characters to encompass aliens, animals, and children facing danger, celebrating life in all its forms. The film’s earnestness never slips into self-consciousness or parody, enabling genuine emotional beats to shine. Moments like the tender exchanges between Pa Kent and Clark, the romantic warmth between Lois and Clark, and Krypto’s heroic arrival all contribute to creating a soulful and uplifting atmosphere.
In contrast to many recent superhero movies that rely heavily on sarcasm or cynicism, this Superman offers a heartfelt, joyous experience fitting for its titular character, and it revitalizes the blockbuster landscape with its unique combination of spectacle and sensitivity.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why is James Gunn leaving Marvel?
A. In 2018, James Gunn lost his job at Marvel when old tweets with offensive jokes about sensitive topics caused public anger. By July that year, the situation for Gunn took a significant turn.
Q. What is James Gunn’s religion?
A. In Gunn’s 2025 Superman adaptation, the CGI-animated Krypto the Superdog took inspiration from Ozu’s work. Gunn grew up in a Catholic household and finds prayer important. However, he has also described himself as “in some ways, anti-religion.”
Q. What religion is James Gunn?
A. He grew up in a Catholic family in Manchester, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis. He has five siblings: Sean, who is an actor; Matt, who acts and writes about politics; Brian, who writes screenplays; Patrick; and Beth. Gunn’s father was from an Irish immigrant family, so Gunn has Irish roots.
