SUPERMAN Review: James Gunn’s Bright, Bold Reboot Restores Hope to the DCU

David Corenswet soars as the new Man of Steel in James Gunn’s Superman.

Metropolis is alive again, folks. Superman, DC Studios’ first big swing under its reimagined universe, rockets into theaters this summer like a bright blue beacon of hope—and for the first time in a long time, I’m grinning like the 10-year-old kid who used to tie a towel around his neck and fly around the house.

James Gunn, now steering the DCU ship, has done something special here. Superman is exactly what its hero should be: bright, bold, and brimming with optimism. Gunn takes everything you love about the original superhero and gives it a fresh coat of paint, adding his signature blend of heartfelt moments, offbeat humor, and bursts of cosmic weirdness.

The result? A movie that feels like a love letter to everything Superman stands for—and a solid promise that DC’s future might finally be in good hands.

The Man of Steel Reborn

David Corenswet is the Man of Steel. He’s got that classic, larger-than-life charm, but never forgets Clark Kent’s wide-eyed heart. Some of the shots of Corenswet in the cape—freeze—frame worthy, by the way—made my jaw drop. There’s a warmth to him that’s downright contagious, and when that iconic score swells (yes, those goosebumps are real), you can’t help but believe in heroes again.

Matching him scene for scene is Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane. If you thought we’d seen the definitive Lois before, think again. Brosnahan owns every second she’s on screen—funny, fearless, and never overshadowed by her super partner. David and Rachel have undeniable “Clois” chemistry, and she might just be the best Lois Lane ever put on film.

Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor is something else entirely—terrifying, magnetic, and just plain brilliant. Hoult tried out for Superman and even Batman once, but he was born to be Lex. His scenes opposite Corenswet are a masterclass in hero-villain tension. Hoult continues to prove he’s one of the most fascinating actors working today.

A Justice League… Almost

The supporting players are a cosmic grab bag of DC weirdness. Edi Gathegi’s Mr. Terrific was a standout for me—slick, confident, and his big fight scene was one of the movie’s highlights. Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner’s Green Lantern? Inspired choice. He’s hilarious, a little bit of a jerk, and exactly the kind of wildcard you want to see bickering with Hawkgirl, who’s played perfectly fine by Isabela Merced.

María Gabriela de Faría’s Engineer is all cybernetic muscle, and her scenes as Lex’s right hand are a blast. Anthony Carrigan’s Metamorpho is an oddball addition, but hey, his powers look wild on the big screen. Skyler Gisondo’s Jimmy Olsen flips the script too—this time, Jimmy’s a total stud muffin, and honestly? It works.

And let’s talk about Krypto the Dog—my new best friend. He’s adorable, hilarious, and an instant fan favorite. Even with plenty of Krypto, I still wanted more. A whole spinoff, please.

A Few Kryptonite Bits

Not everything hits the bullseye. The tone zigzags all over the place—sometimes earnest and soaring, other times full-on James Gunn quirk. It can feel like a Guardians of the Galaxy riff with a Metropolis paint job, which is both good and bad. There are a LOT of characters jammed in here, which leaves a few moments feeling rushed or overstuffed. But by the final act, the spotlight snaps back to Superman, Lois, and Lex—exactly where it should be.

I love the Easter eggs too. The Will Reeve cameo, the son of the late Christopher Reeve, hit me right in the feels. Bradley Cooper as a holographic Jor-El? Maybe a tad forced, but it’s forgivable. Introducing a new version of Ultraman was a swing that pays off, even if I wish Lex had a second big villain to spar with Superman. Ma and Pa Kent felt a bit too cartoony for me, but I’ll chalk it up to casting older actors for an iconic vibe.

The score, though? Absolutely soars. Whenever that iconic Superman theme sneaks in, it’s a direct shot of hope straight to the heart.

Verdict

I give Superman 4.5 out of 5 stars. James Gunn didn’t just reboot Superman—he reminded us why this hero matters. For every bit of tonal whiplash or overstuffed subplot, there’s an image of Corenswet floating above Metropolis that makes you believe in heroes all over again. Metropolis is alive. The DC Universe finally feels bright again. I’m fully back on board.

Major Cameo Appearance Spoiler

It’s no surprise we got our first look at Milly Alcock as Supergirl, rocking the iconic costume as she hilariously stumbles in drunk, searching for her dog Krypto and then just peacing out like it’s the most normal thing in the world.

Superman flies into theaters July 11.

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