Superman (2025) – Movie Reviews by Ry!

Superman (2025)  – A Man of Steel … A Man of Heart

The inkling of fun is a matter of your own perspective.  From simple activities to death-defying mantles, there will be something that gives you a genuine warm feeling.  For me, that fun comes when you walk into a movie theater, sit down and witness a story unfold on the big screen.  The wonder of the escape pulls at my heart to give a truly defining journey.  This fun happens with most films, especially when it hits all the right beats.  In this review, I look at the latest comic book film.  Through the recapturing of a DC icon, this film drives home a unique blend of comedy, action and heart.  Even when it feels like a lot is going on, Superman is a fun comic book film that shows you that choices matter … especially when you’re the man of steel.

In a world filled with newly recognized metahumans, one will struggle between his existence and humankind in hopes of showing what it means to be a good person.  In the world of comic books, one might think that certainty is bound by childish antics and creative displays of imagination.  On one hand this may be true, but the worth of a ‘powerful being’ comes in the details.  No matter if its Marvel, DC or any independent comic book company, diving into the imagination becomes a meaningful way to grip the audience and take them on a ride that is escapable but genuine.  With this latest iteration of the famous DC icon, the standout points come in its representation of the comic book experience and idealism of character. 

The Comic Book Experience

To say ‘comic books’ are for a niche audience is hindering any enjoyment to circumstance.  There are the occasional thoughts of obscurity, but through it all is a fun and escapable journey.  With this film, we get an opening prologue scroll before dive headfirst into a world that is populated by humans and the newly recognized metahumans.  Through scenes of witty one-liners, cheesy scenarios and overtly expressive action, we are introduced to the most powerful metahuman, Clark Kent/Superman (David Corenswet) and his visceral antagonist, Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult).  Through the first half, it pulls you in through that comic book aura, laying out the basic rules of this world.  With the 21^st century coming to terms with the existence of powerful beings (especially Superman), it drives home the absurdity of situations, but also the even keel of escapable feelings that is prime for a comic book.  Through James Gunn’s unique style, he stays true to the comic book stylings while transforming it into a substance of believability.  From Clark Kents job at the Daily Planet, his personal relationship with Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan), the uneasy alliance with the Justice Gang (view the list of characters at the IMdb page – link) and conflict with Lex Luthor, you are enraptured by each detail with a humanistic spin.  That realism leads to the next great point about this film.

Idealism of Character

Superman may be the strongest being on Earth, but he also is conflicted with his own existence.  After a series of specific plot elements come into play, Superman has to come to terms with the consequence of his origin and interventional choices, bringing about reasons why people might ‘hate’ him, especially Lex Luthor.  With society iffy on intent, it is that skepticism that drives him to expose Superman through any means necessary.  With a conflict of purpose (in Superman) vs pride and obsession (in Lex Luthor) the dynamic of ‘good vs. evil’ evolves into an idealism of what it means to be.  That genuine string levels out the comic book antics at play, giving a sense of idealism that layers with emotional value.  This ripples through all of Superman’s interactions, showing that raw vulnerability that reflects the best and worst of humankind.  Even when delivery becomes obtuse through cheesy dialogue, the manner in which it is defined becomes more than a surface level trait.    

As the conflict reaches its peak, the dynamic grips through thrilling action set pieces and the aura of seeing a comic book come to life.  It is in the third act that everything spins heavy, stringing together all the many subplots into one final bout between Superman and Lex Luthor.  As things reach its epic like climax, it drives home the themes at play through a genuine but common epilogue.  Superman is pure to its comic book roots, but does enough to showcase true meaning of character.  If you are a fan of comic book films, DC comics or blockbusters, you will find a lot to get excited for.  In the end, I believe this is a wonderful film to experience on the big screen.

Full Score – 4 out of 5 (Full Price)