'Superman' Review: The Man Of Steel Returns With Power, Punch, And Purpose

HOLLYWOOD, CA — Not a bird. Not a plane. It’s James Gunn’s “Superman” — an epic crimson-caped blockbuster with a mighty beating heart and a spunky soul. This isn’t your grandfather's Man of Steel. Gone are the baby blankets from Krypton and the flash of origin stories; no meteoric arrival, no star-sent cradle.

Instead of retelling a tale, Gunn refracts it for modern times — where Superman doesn’t simply fly; he soars into quiet defiance forged by existential longing. He isn’t reborn; he’s rebranded — cloaked in mythic awe yet clad in a pair of denim jeans and tempered by conviction and moral ambiguity.

The movie unfolds in a world beaming with possibilities yet riddled with sordid secrets. At the center of it all stands Superman (David Corenswet). By day, he blends into the buzz of Metropolis as Clark Kent, one of Daily Planet’s rising stars.

Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan) enters the picture already knowing Clark Kent is the Man of Steel. They’re already love birds, having been together for a few months. She is pragmatic, whereas he’s idealistic. Despite their differing worldviews, Lois remains devoted to Superman, reminding him that hope and decency still dare to fly.

But while Lois anchors Superman to humanity, Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) seeks to sever that connection entirely. He is a megalomaniac, hell-bent on tarnishing the superhero’s reputation, painting him as a nefarious interloper with misguided principles rather than a symbol of hope.

Superman soon finds himself in the throes of existential crisis, questioning his purpose between gods and humanity. As the superhero wrestles with doubt, and Lois remains firm in her convictions, will their love be strong enough to stop Lex Luthor’s plot to bring him down?

Corenswet commands the screen with quiet gravity, channeling strength with no bravado, no bombast. He embodies Superman with smoldering sincerity and emotional restraint, a stillness that simmers rather than stalls. He anchors the film in a way that is deeply human.

Hoult, meanwhile, delivers a performance that’s cerebral, chilling and terrifyingly calm, countering Corenswet’s quiet conviction with icy precision and control. Every pause and glance become a menacing psychological warfare fought in silence.

Brosnahan brings Lois Lane fire, intellect, and emotional depth, embodying an investigative journalist who becomes Superman’s moral compass — a voice of reason in a world that’s increasingly becoming cynical and chaotic. The onscreen chemistry between Corenswet and Brosnahan isn’t just palpable; it’s magnetic, sizzling with charisma and charm.

Visually, “Superman (2025)” is a wondrous revelation. Every frame hums with emotional resonance and visual verve — at once timeless, timely, and charged with electric style. James Gunn’s direction threads mythic scale with intimate texture, capturing kinetic grace wrapped in denim and crimson awe.

Cinematographer Henry Braham brings elegance to the film, leaning into soft Americana hues and sweeping compositions. And John Murphy’s score? It pays homage to John Williams while forging its own orchestral style to elevate moments of flight into emotional crescendo.

It’s not just heart and harmony, though. “Superman (2025)” doesn’t hold back when it comes to high-stakes, sky-shattering battles. The action pieces are as bold as the legend and the myth himself. In one of the film’s most explosive showdowns, Superman faces off against a colossal kaiju, battling through falling debris and flaming skies with heat vision and mythic fury. With help from Mister Terrific’s tech tactics, Hawkgirl’s airborne fury, and Green Lantern’s luminous force, Superman fights to reclaim his place as Earth’s protector. It’s pure adrenaline spectacle!

Oh! Did we tell you about Krypto the Superdog? He’s a scene-stealing powerhouse, injecting fur-fueled charm and bone-crunching heroics into the film’s opening sequence. From plowing through blizzard winds to dragging a bleeding Superman across frozen terrain, Krypto saves the day!

“Superman (2025)” enthralls with a cinematic heartbeat that pulses louder than any sonic boom and flies faster than light. It's a high-octane reboot packed with mythic scale and emotional grit. Look up! The Man of Steel is back — a hero for all seasons.

And just when you think it's over... the saga takes flight. Stay through the credits — Supergirl’s shadow rises, and the Justice League may not be far behind.