Superman
2025
**½
Director: James Gunn
Cast: David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult, Edi Gathegi, Anthony Carrigan, Nathan Fillion, Isabela Merced, Skyler Gisondo, Sara Sampaio, María Gabriela de Faría, Wendell Pierce
When tech billionaire Lex Luthor orchestrates an international conflict and turns public opinion against Superman, the Man of Steel must reconcile with his Kryptonian heritage, confront Luthor’s schemes, and restore the public trust. James Gunn reboots the DC Universe with the fourth incarnation of its best-loved superhero, following Superman (1978), Superman Returns (2006), and Man of Steel (2013). We don't get an origin story, as Clark Kent and Lois Lane have already shared their secrets and are dating. The plot covertly touches on topical real-world issues, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine and crackdowns on illegal immigration. After the disastrous DC Extended Universe series, Gunn faces raised expectations and general superhero movie fatigue. And yet, this turns out to be another entirely forgettable superhero outing, climaxing, like many before it, in a destructive battle among skyscrapers. All the while, the people of Metropolis are so stupid and kneejerky that they almost deserve to die. The new cast is fine, though I'm unsure about Krypto the CGI dog.
