Introduction

Superman wasn’t one of my favorite heroes as a kid, to be honest. I was more into Spider-Man or Batman. But in my teen years, I revisited the Man of Steel and dove into binge sessions—older films, comics, the incredible animated series, and even the classic TV show I watched with my dad. I began to see Superman not just as a super-powered hero, but as a man trying to do the right thing in a world he wasn’t born into. Superman stood for something many heroes didn’t—hope. He wasn’t in it for pride or compensation, but because he wanted to help unconditionally and be a beacon of light. That’s why I was excited when another reboot of Superman was announced—this time helmed by James Gunn, the director behind Guardians of the Galaxy and The Belko Experiment. But does Superman (2025) soar, or is it weighed down by its own cape? Here’s my spoiler-free review.

Story

Superman’s latest outing skips the origin story and throws us straight into action. David Corenswet plays our new Superman, who makes headlines by saving the country of Jarhanpur from being overrun by Boravia. But Boravia retaliates with their secret weapon, Ultraman—not the Japanese one—and Superman surprisingly loses the battle. Thanks to help from his dog Krypto and robotic assistants in the Fortress of Solitude, Superman regains his power and prepares to face new threats, including his longtime nemesis Lex Luthor, portrayed by Nicholas Hoult.

There’s a lot for longtime fans to enjoy, including cameos by Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan), Jimmy Olsen (Skyler Gisondo), and supporting heroes like Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion), Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced), and Mister Terrific (Michael Holt). These appearances aren’t random—they’re part of the larger plot, and as a fan, I appreciated their inclusion.

However, the film tries to cater to both die-hard fans and newcomers, which leads to mixed results. It doesn’t rehash Superman’s origin, which I liked, but it also assumes the audience knows who Mister Terrific is, why Lex Luthor hates Superman, and what the Fortress of Solitude is. That might leave newcomers scratching their heads while fans nod in approval.

Acting and Cast

The cast is nearly perfect. David Corenswet delivers a fantastic performance as Superman, even if Clark Kent doesn’t get as much screen time as I’d like. Every major role is well-cast, and the chemistry between characters is believable and engaging. As someone who loved Henry Cavill in the role, I was pleasantly surprised by Corenswet’s portrayal.

Cinematography and Direction

James Gunn proves once again that he knows how to direct a superhero movie. The camera work is crisp, and action scenes like Superman catching a collapsing building or high-speed battles are stunning. Emotional moments—such as the standoff with Lex Luthor—are framed with intensity and purpose. Some CGI, like Krypto in a few scenes, feels off, but it’s never distracting enough to ruin the experience.

Conclusion

Superman (2025) is a fun and heartfelt reboot for fans of the Man of Steel. While it doesn’t cater well to newcomers or explore Clark Kent enough, it nails the core values of Superman. With strong performances, especially by Corenswet, and slick direction from James Gunn, it’s a solid start to a new chapter. If you’re familiar with the comics and Superman’s universe, you’ll enjoy this ride. If not, you might miss a few key moments—but it’s still worth watching.

—Aaron