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.