Superman

★★ 1/2 out of ★★★★ (👍)

Superman (2025)

Runtime: 129 minutes

MPAA: Rated PG-13 for violence, action and language.

Let's continue the funny story which I started in my Five Nights at Freddy's 2 review. My note-taking is so that I'll remember what to unpack and talk about when expressing what I'd like to articulate after watching a movie. Now, looking at what I've typed for writer-director James Gunn's reboot of Superman, it's such a huge mess that I don't even know if I can coherently compile this. The same can also be said about what I feel right now: I don't even know what to say. So here goes trying to synthesise all of my thoughts.

Gunn's reimagining of Superman doesn't repeat the origin story, character introductions or setup. It starts off strong, right in the middle of a defeat, Superman retreating to his fortress to recover. What follows in the next half-an-hour is a lot to process. Superman isn't really just a superhero movie, but also an allegory on the political landscape, power not by strength but by control, public image and ethical blurring between professionalism and personal lives. Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan) gets her partner Clark Kent (David Corenswet) to answer questions as Superman, a powerful scene that establishes his morale, view of world matters and the repercussions of his actions. Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hault) has great influence on the public and government officials, manipulating the people to believe false narratives for his personal interests. He does so in a damaging broadcast framing Superman as a women-depraved and uncontrollable force who wants nothing but oppression. The first third of Superman rips.

One can sense Gunn's grasp on these themes getting shaky in the unfocused midsection, as the picture deviates from its titular character and starts to buckle under the weight of its ambitions. Admittedly overstuffed, it's throws in supporting characters of the self-titled Justice Gang, which include Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion), Hawkgirl (Isabella Merced) and Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi). Superman is depicted as remarkably vulnerable, being easily manhandled and thrown around by basically all of the villains. He gets beat up repeatedly, has to rely on his friends and an uncooperative dog to help, yet refuses to give up despite this. It's meant to physically and mentally challenge him, yet it also comes off as pretty distasteful. With public outcry, damaged reputation, disrupted mood and multiple defeats, does this peek inwards to what Superman feels and how his morality is challenged? The script keeps circling back to him wanting to save people and being a person with good intentions. Heroes can't be optimistic all the time. There has to be times of dark contemplation, resisting impulses and questioning oneself. This Superman exists to serve as a victim of pain, somehow finding hope in the bleak, and overcoming all of his supposedly troubled thoughts to confront his greatest villains.

Corenswet's physicality translates well from the nerdy-geek vibe of Clark Kent to the glamorous and intimidating form of the Man of Steel. There isn't enough of Kent, where he changes the tone and delivery of his voice, and there also isn't enough of Lois and Kent together, given their sizzling chemistry and exciting earlier scenes. Hoult does feel miscast though, despite conveying the anger of Luthor relly well. For someone who essentially has control of most of the world and its leaders, his vibe doesn't really give it. Fillion, Gathegi and Merced's presence are a welcoming addition, their brief scenes leaving you wanting for more.

Fortunately, the overall picture recovers and sticks the landing by tying back to its fundamental allegory of politics and power. A quieter scene of Kent conversing with his adoptive father provides more weight than the louder, entertaining action sequences. It provides Kent the much-needed guidance to finally adopt his own agenda. Additionally, Luthor's intricate deceptions and motives are well-thought out, especially in a scene where he enters a meltdown and spills out all his rage and envy for Superman. Watching Kent finally rise to glory and proudly declare that he is an imperfect human is somehow inspiring. Such is the maddening complexity of Superman. Gunn's project is clearly earnest and well-intentioned, and even though not everything he throws to the wall sticks, at least he swings for the fences.