james gunn - FILM & TELEVISION REVIEW

SUPERMAN (2025)

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.

The Horror Chronicles Part One: Here Comes The Bride?

I just read an article in a wonderful publication called Scary Monsters: Castle of Frankenstein 2021 Annual about how Universal never brought The Bride back in any of the many Frankenstein sequels. Further, the writer pointed out that The Bride was never even mentioned in those sequels. He further lamented that since Frankenstein’s Monster was indestructible, shouldn’t The Bride be as well? I’ve idly wondered why The Bride’s tenure was so short myself, but never with the sense of humor and acumen displayed by George Humenik in his article. It got me thinking about the aborted Universal Dark Universe and what a let down it was for fans of the Universal horror films. Then, Leigh Whannell’s The Invisible Man came out to good reviews and box office, and the idea of freestanding reboots could be embraced. Any event that could lead to such a well written and produced film couldn’t be all bad.

Boris Karloff & Elsa Lanchester and Elizabeth Hobson & Colin Clive in *The Bride of Frankenstein*

The thing is, the film that I was most anxious to see was the sequel or reboot or remake or whatever of The Bride of Frankenstein. I’d read that Scarlett Johansson was a possible candidate for The Bride in the Dark Universe. Although I am a fan of hers, she didn’t seem like the right choice. Let me just add that being part of what was planned as the Universal Dark Universe would not have been a good thing for Mrs. Jost or anyone else. The problem now is–is there anyone interested in making a free standing Bride of Frankenstein update? I am aware that it sounds crazy to some, but it is one of those things that is just begging to be resurrected. Just take a moment and consider the possibilities while I tell you what I think would lead to a perfect creation.

I’ve given this a lot of thought (some would say too much), and I think I’ve come up with the ultimate formula for success! First, you would need all the right parts: Producer(s), Writer, Director, and of course actors. Please note that only Producers, and of course actors, are plural. The last thing a project like this needs is to be stitched together by various writers. As far as Directors go, the Duff Brothers would be an exception, but I don’t want to see the Bride stuck in the 80’s. As Producers I’m seeing Blumhouse with James Gunn co-producing, writing, and directing. So far, so good.

**James Gunn (producer/writer/director) & Elizabeth Banks as The Bride**

Now, the cast. That leads me straight to Elizabeth Banks who has worked with Gunn in the past (Slither) and is as quirky as Elsa Lanchester and as talented as well: she will bring the needed lightning to the revived Bride! For the great great great grandson or whatever of Dr. Frankenstein (plug in a Germanic first name as below),

**Bruce Dern as Dr. Henrik Frankenstein V**

I can think of no actor who would do the part more justice than Bruce Dern. His assistant? Steve Buscemi of course! Who else?

**Steve Buscemi as Dr. Willem Pretorious**

Now, you recall that I didn’t think Scarlett Johansson would be the right choice for the Bride, but she would be the perfect choice for the fiance of the Doctor’s son, Dr. Elmore Frankenstein. Elmore, a psychotic psychiatrist is in love with Elizabeth Von Hooten, heiress to the Von Hooten fortune and unknowing funder of the revival of The Bride project.

**Scarlett Johansson as Elizabeth Von Hooten**

Okay Universal, now, it’s up to you to decide what the next updated Universal horror film should be! I’m trying to give you a jump start here; attach those electrodes and get this party started already. Myself, I’m going to see about renting a tux, because this is one, or maybe two, weddings I don’t want to miss.

LAST MINUTE UPDATE!

Oops, looks like I was wrong again! According to IMDB, Universal is planning a film called Bride that is in pre-production and lists Scarlett Johansson in the titular part. Here’s hoping it all comes together, but honestly–just imagine what a wild ride a James Gunn written & directed Bride of Frankenstein would be!

NEXT: A Fish Tale!