Superman (2025) - Film Review

      Superman, 2025.

      Written and Directed by James Gunn.

      Featuring David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult, Edi Gathegi, Anthony Carrigan, Nathan Fillion, Isabela Merced, María Gabriela de Faría, Sara Sampaio, Skyler Gisondo, Terence Rosemore, Wendell Pierce, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Neva Howell, Beck Bennett, Mikaela Hoover, Christopher McDonald, Paige Mobley, Frank Grillo, Stephen Blackehart, Will Reeve, Alan Tudyk, Michael Rooker, Grace Chan, Pom Klementieff, Michael Rosenbaum, Bradley Cooper, Angela Sarafyan, Milly Alcock, and Jennifer Holland.

      SYNOPSIS:

      Superman grapples with his alien Kryptonian roots and his human upbringing as Clark Kent, a reporter. Representing truth, justice, and humane values, he soon discovers that these ideals are often seen as outdated in the contemporary world. While one might anticipate that writer/director James Gunn would take a lighter, more joyful approach to this iconic character (originally conceived by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster) – complete with a classic John Williams score and a fresh, punkish twist from musicians John Murphy and David Fleming – the real surprise lies in how politically relevant many themes are, seemingly willing to risk alienating some viewers with bold positions.

      Reinvigorating the character to inspire hope and kindness in others is one thing; creating a superhero film that serves as a subtle commentary on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and clearly taking sides is quite another. Although fictional nations are portrayed, it takes a significant level of media ignorance to miss the parallels. It's debatable whether this approach is a copout or a careful decision to avoid direct references to Israel and Palestine. Nevertheless, it's striking that such a topical narrative choice found its way into the film, and it's not the only instance.

      Since this is not an origin story (the pre-opening credits text outlines the basics rather than rehashing them), James Gunn is able to dive straight into the narrative. This decision should be an unwritten rule for future adaptations of well-known superhero properties; there's no need to spend excessive time on origins. Clark Kent/Superman (David Corenswet) is a being from a dying planet sent to Earth by his parents, raised by Kansas farmers (Pruitt Taylor Vince and Neva Howell) and now working as a journalist at the Daily Planet. He is also in a relationship with co-worker Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan) while combating colossal threats and occasionally visiting his underground sanctuary in Antarctica (the Fortress of Solitude).

      For those unfamiliar with the narrative, the film adeptly integrates this background information. In this version, Clark Kent's faithful dog, Krypto, joins him (who appears tougher than Superman himself, who is still getting accustomed to his superhero role) alongside a makeshift Justice League, referred to humorously as the Justice Gang, led by Nathan Fillion’s Guy Gardner/Green Lantern. He teams up with lesser-known characters like Isabela Merced’s Hawkgirl and Edi Gathegi’s Michael Holt/Mr. Terrific, fulfilling Gunn's penchant for quirky team dynamics and amusing dialogues.

      However, there are moments when this approach feels disjointed, considering the array of events unfolding in the film. These characters serve more for world-building rather than being fully developed, and their battles often lack significant stakes. That said, the charming performances help balance this, leaving us eager to see more of these characters in future scenarios, particularly the quirky tech and aircraft enthusiast Mr. Terrific, who embodies Gunn's playful take on a Blaxploitation-style sidekick.

      It's undeniably jarring to witness a film oscillate between serious themes—such as an Israel-like stand-in receiving weapons from a Lex Luthor-inspired tech billionaire (played coldly by Nicholas Hoult, capturing the chilling indifference of such figures)—and goofy action sequences against enormous monsters that blend comic book exuberance with Gunn's unique style. The film features sudden acts of harshness that feel out of place amidst its otherwise cheerful tone.

      Additionally, the narrative is overloaded; Superman's tale sometimes seeks to address journalistic ethics, while at other moments it highlights the superhero's role in global affairs, not as an American representative but in pursuit of moral righteousness. There's also an effort to establish a Guardians-like interpretation of the Justice League, delving into hidden dimensions that could disrupt reality. The film attempts to cultivate romance and genuine connections between Clark Kent/Superman and Lois Lane, exploring their compatibility.

      Ultimately, the project's ambition has impacted its budget, leading to awkward CGI portrayals, such as a poorly rendered baby reminiscent of The Flash, released not long ago. Overall, the special effects quality varies, some moments appearing impressive (notably the nano-based attacks from Lex Luthor’s henchwoman, The Engineer, played by