I Had Excessive Hopes For The DC Universe Film & James Gunn Spectacularly Managed To Surpass Them

Over the previous couple of many years, Hollywood has seen an increase in superhero film franchises — particularly, the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However whereas the Marvel franchise has soared to spectacular heights, DC has struggled to achieve comparable peaks. Nevertheless, that every one appears poised to alter with James Gunn’s Superman.

Beneath earlier regimes, the DC Prolonged Universe failed to search out its footing. Though there have been some hits, just like the well-reviewed Surprise Girl and the $1 billion success of Aquaman, it all the time appeared just like the DCEU was stumbling a couple of steps (if no more) behind the MCU. Enter James Gunn and Peter Safran, who have been employed to move DC Studios.

Now, DC Studios is launching their new, quasi-rebooted DC Universe franchise, selecting and selecting parts from the defunct DCEU for his or her nascent superhero world. A kind of rebooted parts is Gunn’s Superman, with David Coresnwet taking on the position of Clark Kent and his superhero alter ego from Henry Cavill.

Gunn, who wrote and directed Superman, isn’t any stranger to superhero franchises, having made a reputation for himself by launching the cosmic facet of the MCU with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1. After two profitable sequels, Gunn departed Marvel and is spearheading the inventive facet of the DCU, beginning off with the franchise’s largest and most essential launch.

Gunn taking up considered one of DC’s most iconic characters and main an entire franchise was an attention-grabbing alternative. The filmmaker has an offbeat humorousness and a singular storytelling strategy that does not all the time work for me. However I’ve all the time appreciated the best way he cares about his characters. That, greater than anything, comes by means of in Superman.

At its coronary heart, Superman is a narrative about wrestling with id, particularly in a world the place a lot notion of self could be dictated by these round us — whether or not that is our dad and mom, social media, or different family members. Gunn brings his typical humor, which is softened a bit for broader audiences, and his aptitude for enjoyable, thrilling motion scenes. In the long run, Superman is a superhero film for everybody.

Superman Is The Excellent Begin To The DC Universe

James Gunn & Peter Safran Are Overseeing The New Franchise

It is unimaginable to speak about Gunn’s Superman with out discussing its place within the bigger superhero film panorama. A lot has been stated about superhero film fatigue and the struggles of the MCU lately, significantly Marvel’s declining field workplace returns. It could look like a tricky area to launch a brand new superhero franchise, however Superman is precisely what we’d like.

Though the DCU is simply a quasi-reboot, there’s nothing audiences must know or initiatives they should have watched earlier than seeing Superman. You do not even have to be accustomed to the Superman character and his origin story to get pleasure from Gunn’s film. Though Gunn skips the complete Kal-El/Clark Kent origin story, it is defined properly sufficient for newcomers to know.

Superman is a refreshing entry within the superhero movie style as a result of it requires so little homework. Undoubtedly, there’s one thing rewarding a few film like Thunderbolts*, which capitalizes on its characters’ histories within the franchise, however after so a few years of needing prior data for superhero motion pictures, it is good to enter Superman and see a recent begin, and with out the drained origin story.

David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan & Nicholas Hoult Lead A Pitch-Excellent Solid

Edi Gathegi’s Mister Terrific Is A Breakout In Superman

Gunn’s Superman script is a intelligent superhero romp, however the actors bringing it to life are completely forged. David Corenswet deftly showcases a multifaceted model of the Man of Metal — from the unassuming Clark Kent to the passionate Superman. There’s an unimaginable heat to his iteration of the character that hearkens again to traditional interpretations, and can make him a brand new favourite.

Rounding out the core forged are Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor, each of which carry out completely different sides of Superman. Corenswet and Brosnahan’s chemistry pops onscreen, making certain their relationship feels actual and emotional. Equally, Corenswet and Hoult have an enchanting dynamic that crackles with an antagonistic stress, making them compelling arch-enemies.

Maybe the most important shock of Superman for me, although, was Edi Gathegi’s scene-stealing flip as Mister Terrific. He is a part of the Justice Gang, alongside Nathan Fillion’s Man Gardner/Inexperienced Lantern and Isabela Merced’s Hawkgirl, however he is wildly entertaining. All of the superheroes have attention-grabbing interpersonal relationships that add depth to Superman’s world, however Mister Terrific is probably the most attention-grabbing of the bunch.

Past the superheroes, there’s additionally a forged of characters populating The Every day Planet who’ve a lot much less to do, however equally flesh out the world of Gunn’s DC Universe. My solely actual disappointment with Superman is that among the supporting characters felt a bit of underdeveloped, however contemplating the film is about Corenswet’s hero, it is comprehensible.

Superman Is A Superhero Film For All Audiences

James Gunn Delivers A Terrific Summer time Blockbuster

In the end, Superman is the right summer season blockbuster. It has loads of motion, humor and coronary heart to maintain audiences engaged for the little over two-hour runtime, whereas providing one thing not like another superhero film we have seen earlier than. Gunn has managed to take a widely known, beloved character and provides him a refreshingly authentic story that stays true to its roots.

I had excessive hopes for Superman, each as a brand new tackle the DC icon and because the launchpad for the DC Universe, and Gunn’s movie managed to achieve or surpass all of them. There have been sufficient surprises which might be positive to please even probably the most diehard of followers, whilst Superman stays a film positive to be entertaining for the entire household. It is a classic-feeling superhero film with out feeling drained.

As such, Superman is certain to be a crowd-pleaser for individuals who have spent the final three many years watching superhero motion pictures, and for individuals who are new to the style or have fallen off lately. After watching Superman, I am extra excited than ever to see what Gunn and Safran do with the DC Universe.

Superman

9/10

Launch Date

July 11, 2025

Runtime

130 Minutes

Producers

Lars P. Winther, Peter Safran

Execs & Cons

• A intelligent script, and compelling story.
• James Gunn brings his flare for sci-fi motion.
• David Corenswet is a improbable Man of Metal.

• Some facet characters may’ve been higher developed.