Superman: A Bold, Fun, and Very Comic Book-y Kickoff for the New DCU

Superman made me feel like a kid again. Watching it felt like seeing Superman: The Animated Series or Justice League Unlimited brought to life—and I mean that in the best way. This might be the most comic book-y movie I’ve seen, and I loved how James Gunn leaned into the weird sci-fi elements of the DC Universe.

The world-building is strong, and Gunn does a great job immersing you in this new version of the DCU. The casting is spot-on across the board. David Corenswet might not be my favorite Superman, but he definitely embodies the character and shines during the action scenes. Rachel Brosnahan is fantastic as Lois Lane, and both Mr. Terrific and Jimmy Olsen were surprising standouts.

I enjoyed Nicholas Hoult’s take on Lex Luthor as a straight-up hater. He’s petulant, maniacal, and truly diabolical. The action was thrilling and explosive, packed with high energy. That said, I did have some issues.

The action is thrilling, and the camera work adds energy to those sequences. However, Superman spends much of the movie getting his a** kicked and comes off a bit whiny at times, which may not sit well with some fans. Too much focus is given to side characters, taking attention away from him. The tone also gets overly goofy in parts, with key moments undercut by James Gunn’s signature humor that doesn’t always land..

Still, this is a strong start for the new DCU. Whether or not you enjoy it will depend a lot on how much you vibe with James Gunn’s style. Superman feels like the definitive version for a new generation—fun, fresh, and full of potential. It’s not perfect, but it left me excited for what’s coming next.