James Gunn, known for his sharp humor and love for classic comics, steps into the DC Universe with a new Superman movie. Teaming up with producer Peter Safran, Gunn aims to bring back the warmth and adventure that once made the Man of Steel so beloved. Instead of falling into grim darkness, Gunn’s film feels like a love letter to Richard Donner’s iconic 1978 Superman and its sequel from 1981.
At the heart of the movie is David Corenswet’s take on Superman and Clark Kent. Corenswet mixes charm, quiet strength, and real vulnerability. His Superman wonders if his purpose on Earth is built on a lie, which makes him more relatable. His scenes with Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane shine brightest. Brosnahan’s Lois is sharp, confident, and funny—a fresh take reminiscent of Margot Kidder’s version, but with modern edge.
The film opens with a centuries-old tale about metahumans. We meet Superman hurt and bleeding in the snow, calling out to his loyal dog, Krypto. Krypto, with his red cape and puppy energy, brings humor without going overboard. In the Fortress of Solitude, Superman’s robot helpers patch him up and replay a heartfelt message from his Kryptonian parents. This emotional moment keeps Superman connected to his lost world.
One new twist is Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor. Instead of being cartoonishly evil, Hoult plays Lex as a genius obsessed with power but haunted by insecurity and jealousy toward Superman. Lex’s team even floods social media with fake news to turn public opinion against the hero. This idea feels especially timely today, with misinformation spreading so easily online.
The movie doesn’t stop there. It introduces The Hammer of Boravia, a mysterious, armored figure who rivals Superman’s strength. He battles Superman in the heart of Metropolis, blaming him for starting a war. Meanwhile, Lex plots from his LuthorCorp tower, barking out fight moves like a coach. His closest ally, Angela Spica—also known as The Engineer—uses nanotechnology to transform her body into weapons or hacking tools, pushing Lex’s plans forward.
Adding to the chaos is the Justice League’s corporate-backed team: Mister Terrific, Hawkgirl, and a cocky Green Lantern played by Nathan Fillion. This mix of characters makes the movie feel packed, maybe too packed at times. But Gunn keeps it moving, balancing humor and action.
One of the film’s most touching parts comes when Superman retreats to the farm of his adoptive parents. Here, away from battles and noise, he faces his doubts and finds strength. It’s a gentle reminder that despite being an alien, Superman’s humanity is what makes him great.
Corenswet’s Clark Kent feels different too. He’s still shy, but more confident than past versions. In a change from the usual story, Lois already knows Clark’s secret, adding playful tension at work. Their private moments—like when Lois interviews Clark to “get the Superman exclusives”—are sweet and funny.
Lex’s masterstroke is using doctored holograms to frame Superman as a would-be tyrant. The film touches on how fake evidence can damage reputations, echoing real-world fears about deepfakes and AI manipulation. Lex even trains monkeys to flood social media with anti-Superman hashtags—another nod to modern disinformation tactics.
To fight back, the Daily Planet crew joins the action, flying in Mister Terrific’s sleek T-craft to help Superman. Even Jimmy Olsen plays a surprising role thanks to his connection with Lex’s girlfriend Eve, who seems shallow but hints at hidden depth.
Gunn sprinkles in nods to fans throughout, including a brief glimpse of another famous character from Superman’s world near the end. It teases what’s coming next without overshadowing this story.
Visually, the film looks stunning. Dynamic camerawork, creative production design, and a score that weaves in John Williams’ legendary Superman theme help recapture the magic. Despite being a bit messy in places, Gunn’s Superman feels joyful and heartfelt. It dares to bring back hope and wonder to a genre that has often become too dark and cynical.
Instead of reinventing the hero, Gunn reminds us why Superman mattered in the first place. And that’s what makes this new take both nostalgic and refreshingly new.
