I’ve now seen Superman twice at the world premiere, and overall, I enjoyed it. It’s a bold film that swings for something new, with a strong central idea that sets it apart from previous takes. But for all its big swings, it’s far from flawless — there are moments where the story feels rushed, characters go underused, and a few plot-lines stumble under their own weight.
At the heart of this new Superman is an idea that works: it’s not just about super strength or alien invasions — it’s about humanity. Doing what’s right, even when the powerful say not to. That theme gives the film an emotional backbone that makes its best scenes shine.
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Right from the start, James Gunn’s version shakes up the classic mythology. Lois Lane already knows Clark Kent is Superman. At first, I wasn’t sold — part of the fun of the traditional story is watching that reveal unfold. But by the end, it made sense in this version’s world. Still, I wish the film had taken more time to really develop their relationship. Lois is written well — sharp, relentless, truly a reporter first — but the bond between her and Clark feels like it only scratches the surface of what it could be.
One of my biggest criticisms is that the film sets up intriguing side characters but doesn’t always give them enough room to breathe. Metamorpho and Mister Terrific immediately stand out, and the Daily Planet team brings an interesting human layer that grounds Superman’s world. But too often, these characters feel like they’re dropped in and then forgotten. And while I’m a big Frank Grillo fan, his Rick Flag Sr. barely appears, clearly setting up future projects but feeling thin here. I wanted more time with them — more exploration of their stories and how they fit into this larger universe.
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Lex Luthor is one of the film’s strongest elements. He’s classic Lex — manipulative, petty, always positioning himself as the victim when he doesn’t get his way. His twisted “pocket universe prison” is a darkly funny idea that feels right for him. The subplot with the government cutting deals with Lex after he leaks a message from Superman’s parents is depressingly believable, and the irony of Superman — the alien — being the moral center while Lex, the billionaire, pulls the strings is sharp commentary that hits.
The film’s major action set pieces deliver, too. The destruction of the Fortress of Solitude is genuinely brutal — at one point, I actually thought they’d killed Krypto. They didn’t, but the stakes feel real. There’s a massive kaiju-scale battle that’s both chaotic and beautiful, and smaller moments, like Superman saving a dog and a squirrel, perfectly capture his humanity.
Still, parts of the story get tangled. The Superman clone subplot feels forced and pulls focus from the emotional core. Ultraman’s role as a tool for Lex’s power grab has potential but gets lost in a messy geopolitical side plot. Supergirl’s appearance at the end — and the reveal that Krypto is actually her dog is a fun twist an dreads into Supergirl, I wanted more.
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Despite these stumbles, Superman ultimately works because it’s willing to challenge the usual formula. It brings in politics, modern commentary, and uncomfortable questions about institutions and power. It’s not always subtle, but it tries to do something different — and that alone is worth appreciating.
It’s a movie that makes you want to see where this new DC universe goes. It reminds us why Superman matters, even when he’s not perfect: he’s a hero not because he’s invincible, but because he never stops choosing to help, no matter what the world throws at him.
So yes, I enjoyed it. Yes, it needs work. But I’m excited to see what comes next — as long as this universe learns to slow down, dig deeper, and trust its best ideas.
Watch the review here!
