SUPERMAN (2025)

PG-13 07/11/2025 (US) Science Fiction/Action/Adventure 2h 10m

Written & Directed by James Gunn

Characters created by Joe Shuster and Jerry Siegel

CAST: David Corenswet (Clark Kent/Superman), Rachel Brosnahan (Lois Lane), Nicholas Hoult (Lex Luthor), Edi Gathegi (Mr. Terrific), Anthony Carrigan (Metamorpho), Nathan Fillion (Guy Gardner), Isabel Merced (Hawkgirl), Maria Gabriela de Faria (The Engineer). Skylar Gisondo (Jimmy Olsen), Sara Sampiao (Eve Teschmacher).

James Gunn has an exceptional track record that began at Troma Films. He wrote and directed one of the most inventive of the Marvel films, Guardians of the Galaxy and its sequels, and he has just done it again with DC’s Superman. He has become one of the most successful film-makers in Hollywood. The reasons for that are clearly visible in his latest offering which has taken him from Marvel to DC where has revitalized the Superman franchise.

Superman / Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen & Clark Kent/Metamorpho / Guy Gardner, Hawkgirl & Mr. Terrific (Click on any picture to see full size images)

The writer/director has once again exceeded expectations. I remember that leading up to the release of Guardians of the Galaxy, I was thinking, (a talking racoon?), and I’d be the first to object to putting Krypto in a live action Superman film, but–yes Gunn has also made that work. This Superman is not only the best Superman film ever, but is also among the best films of the year. Gunn’s almost mystical power to make exactly the right decision at every turn is spellbinding.

Mr. Terrific & Lois Lane / Mr. Terrific / Lex Luthor / Eve Teschmacher (Click on any picture to see full size images)

From Krypto to Guy Gardner to Metamorpho, to Eve Teschmacher, each character is perfectly placed and executed to support and move the narrative around the films center. Every character and every action surprises while fitting like a piece to a complex puzzle. It is not a case of bringing in characters or stars simply to add flash to the film (I’m so happy with that pun), but as part of the structure in the writing. These characters created dimensions beyond those found in past versions.

The Engineer, Eve & Lex

Gabriela de Faria’s Engineer is the perfectly evil right arm for Lex. The entire complex of Lex Corp becomes a character in the film as a counterpoint to Superman’s Fortress of Solitude–which turns out to be anything but. The casting of Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor was right up there with the recasting of Superman. Both actors suit their roles so well that it is now hard for me to imagine anyone else in their places.

Perry White / Jimmy Olsen / Clark Kent / Superman (Click on any picture to see full size images)

Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane & Skylar Gisondo’s Jimmy Olsen are also strong additions to the cast. Skylar’s Jimmy is made more believable than in past versions yet supplies comic relief in one of the best sub-plots ever. Lois is in love, but still a hard nosed reporter always putting the story first.

Supergirl

To top it all off there is a cameo made by everybody’s favorite super hero cousin, Supergirl. James Gunn’s Superman is the perfect Summer movie to get the family out of this oppressive heat. It also must be seen on the big screen! 5/5 Stars.

Facts, Rumors & Hearsay

David Corenswet took inspiration for his portrayal of Clark Kent from his brother-in-law, who stands 6’8” and is “the quietest, most wonderful man,” in spite of his stature. For his portrayal of Superman, Corenswet took inspiration from Christopher Reeve.

James Gunn said Godzilla Minus One as a major influence on this film. He explained, “I tried to fuse elements like giant monsters, robots, flying dogs and other superheroes… My goal was to make a film like Godzilla Minus One, which depicted Godzilla but also had great human drama.”

Gunn’s Superman is the first film since Superman Returns (2006) to utilize John Williams’s main theme from Superman (1978) as the character’s main leitmotif in the film’s score. James Gunn cited the theme as one of the greatest film scores of all time and associated it with the character of Superman since the beginning of development on this film.

Scarlett Johansson

Jurassic World: Rebirth (2025) PG-13 2h 14m

Directed by Gareth Edwards

Written by Michael Crichton & David Koepp

CAST: Scarlett Johansson (Zora Bennett), Mahershala Ali (Duncan Kincaid), Jonathan Bailey (Dr. Henry Loomis), Rupert Friend (Martin Krebs), Manuel-Garcia Ruflo (Reuben Delgado), Luna Blaise (Teresa Delgado), David Iacono (Xavier Dobbs), Audrina Miranda (Isabella Delgado), Philippine Velge (Nina), Béchir Sylvain (LeClerc).

Xavier Dobbs & Manuel-Garcia Ruflo

The opening scenes are slow and devoid of humor, and do little more than to set up the premise of getting dino DNA to be used in pharmaceuticals without really developing the characters played by Johansson, Jonathan Bailey and Martin Krebs. The scene on the expedition’s boat does little to advance the character development until the introduction of the secondary players.

Audrina Miranda, Manuel-Garcia Ruflo, Luna Blaise & Xavier Dobbs

The scenes at sea needed to be reversed (they would have played better if we met the Delgado family before seeing the crew on their way to grab the McGuffin of dino DNA). Even with the lack of character development for the leads and a slow start, Jurassic World: Rebirth moves on to be one of the best entries in the series of Crichton’s popular brain child since the original film. The Delgado family unknowingly sails into dangerous waters and finds themselves in dire straights. Their interaction before and after they are attacked by the creature builds their characters and powerfully affects the viewer.

Xavier Dobbs, Manuel-Garcia Ruflo, Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali & Jonathan Bailey

Before their boat is capsized they are able to put out an SOS. The crew led by Duncan Kincaid answers the call against the objections of Rupert Friend (as he begins to reveal his character), who is funding the expedition and wants no delays. Kincaid ignores Friend and the tension between the investor and the crew begins and will continue to grow. The family is relieved to be saved from their terrifying situation, but soon realizes that they are now in an even more precarious position.

Audrina Miranda, Luna Blaise, Manuel-Garcia Ruflo & Scarlett Johansson

The Delgado’s path crosses perilously with the expedition’s and they soon become a major part of the adventure. The family quickly becomes the pumping heart of the film. They bring the viewer deeper into the narrative. Their survival becomes paramount as they are thrown into one horrific situation after another while Zora Bennett and Dr. Loomis focus on getting the three blood samples that are needed to make a fortune for Friend and his company.

Scarlett Johansson

The expedition’s crew finds more obstacles than they bargained for as the islands mutated inhabitants seem to be expecting them. The special effects are excellent and what really matters most in these movies is the carnage inflicted by the creatures and there is plenty of that along with some harrowing saves.A perfect summer movie that will please most fans and even some naysayers. It is different enough from the prior films to be looked at as a stand alone in this ever growing series.

Scarlett Johansson & Jonathan Bailey

Facts, Rumors & Hearsay

Jonathan Bailey (Dr. Henry Loomis) contributes to the film score. He plays clarinet in several orchestral tracks and performs the solo heard during the scene when his character touches a dinosaur for the first time.

The first film in the Jurassic Park film series that does not have any cast members from prior films.

Jennifer Lawrence & Amanda Seyfried turned down the role of Zora Bennett.

Jonathan Bailey’s character is named Dr. Henry Loomis in tribute to Dr. Samuel Loomis, Donald Pleasence’s name in the original Halloween.