- Our Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
- The High Point: The “Metropolis Morning” montage—capturing the pure, helpful essence of Clark Kent in a way we haven’t seen in decades.
- The Low Point: A slightly overstuffed second act featuring too many “Justice Gang” cameos that distract from the central Lois-Clark dynamic.
- Box Office: Ended its theatrical run as the second-highest-grossing Superman film ever ($617 Million).
- Streaming: Currently available on Max (with a temporary “buy/rent” window on other platforms).
The Man of Tomorrow, Today: The Superman Experience
Released in July 2025 and directed by James Gunn, Superman (formerly Superman: Legacy) is the “hard reset” the DC brand desperately needed. Having re-watched it recently on Max, it’s clear this isn’t another brooding origin story. Gunn skips the Krypton explosion to give us a 25-year-old Clark Kent who is already a reporter at the Daily Planet. It’s a “Silver Age” comic brought to life—bright, colorful, and unapologetically sincere.
Casting the Cape: Corenswet & Brosnahan
The success of this reboot rested entirely on the chemistry of its leads:
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David Corenswet (Clark Kent/Superman): Corenswet captures the “Midwestern dork” energy of Clark perfectly. He is physically imposing but radiates a gentleness that differentiates him from Henry Cavill’s more “god-like” iteration.
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Rachel Brosnahan (Lois Lane): Brosnahan is arguably the best Lois Lane to ever grace the screen. She is “fiercely intelligent” and shares a rapid-fire, screwball-comedy chemistry with Corenswet that serves as the film’s heartbeat.
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Nicholas Hoult (Lex Luthor): Hoult’s Lex is petty, obsessive, and vindictive. He represents a “xenophobic defamation campaign” against the Man of Steel, making him a villain that feels very relevant to 2026 audiences.
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Information Gain: A standout detail is the appearance of Krypto the Superdog. Rather than a cartoonish sidekick, Krypto is handled with a “grounded wackiness,” providing both emotional support for Clark and some of the film’s best practical-effect action sequences.
Technical Craft: Escapism Over Cynicism
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The Score: John Murphy’s score pays homage to John Williams while carving out its own identity. The ending song, “Punkrocker,” has become a viral hit for its unexpected “rebirth” energy.
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Cinematography: Henry Braham moves away from the “gray-scale” look of previous DC films. Metropolis feels like a thriving, Art Deco-inspired city that people actually want to live in.
Parental Guide & Content Warning
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Rating: PG-13 (for intense superhero action and some language).
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Content: Sci-fi violence, crumbling buildings, and a few “intense” moments involving clones (Ultraman).
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Verdict: This is the most family-friendly Superman movie in 40 years. It’s a “beacon of hope” that emphasizes saving lives over just punching bad guys.
Final Verdict: Up, Up, and Away
Superman is a bold rebuttal to “superhero fatigue.” By choosing kindness over cynicism, James Gunn has successfully launched a universe that feels vibrant and alive. While the script occasionally feels like a “commercial” for future DCU projects (like Supergirl and Lanterns), the emotional core remains unshakable.
