James Gunn's Superman (2025) Reboot Review: A Heartfelt Take on the Man of Steel
- Hailey Lachman
- Jul 15
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 21
If you’ve been waiting for a Superman movie that believes kindness is cool again, Superman (2025) is for you.
Superman At a Glance:
Director: James Gunn
Release Year: 2025
Genre: Superhero, Action-Adventure
Rating: 8.5/10 (Hopeful, heartfelt, and visually rich)
Best For: Fans of comic-accurate storytelling, emotional superhero arcs, and James Gunn’s signature tone
Who Might Enjoy Superman?
Fans of hopeful superheroes who miss the earnest optimism of early Spider-Man or Captain America.
Viewers who care more about emotional arcs than action scenes, though the action still hits.
Comic book lovers who appreciate bright visuals and characters that feel lifted off the page.
James Gunn ditches the grit and leans into sincerity. Expect heartfelt moments, clean action, and a Superman who saves squirrels mid-fight. It’s joyful, geeky, and emotionally grounded.
What Makes This James Gunn Superman Reboot Stand Out?
Superman (2025) is a bold return to emotional storytelling in superhero cinema. Directed by James Gunn, the film mixes humor, heart, and action in a story that embraces Superman’s optimistic roots without feeling outdated. It repositions Clark Kent not just as a god among mortals, but as a man guided by values—kindness, humility, and love.
Compared to Zack Snyder’s brooding realism or the nostalgia of the Christopher Reeve era, Gunn’s take feels fresh and emotionally present. It’s a celebration.
Plot Summary
Clark Kent (David Corenswet) works at the Daily Planet while secretly operating as Superman. He juggles protecting the world and maintaining a quiet life in Smallville, where his adoptive parents continue to guide his moral compass. But things get complicated when Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) launches a smear campaign that spirals into something far more dangerous.
Supporting characters include a sharp and grounded Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan), a chaotic and hilarious Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion), a scene-stealing Mr. Terrific, the beloved Krypto the Superdog, and a version of Supergirl teased with real promise.
Genre, Setting, and Story
Set in Metropolis, Superman introduces us to a Clark Kent who is learning to balance life at the Daily Planet and life as Earth’s mightiest protector. The film starts small with family, legacy, and journalism, but escalates into cosmic-level chaos when Lex Luthor launches a media-fueled smear campaign that grows more dangerous than expected.
Direction and Tone
James Gunn directs with clarity and a deep love for the material. There’s no ironic detachment here. Action scenes are explosive without losing character focus, and quiet moments between Clark and his parents are given the emotional space they deserve.
Visuals and Set Design
The color palette is vibrant. Metropolis feels like a city you could live in, while Smallville looks like a memory you’d return to. The film’s visual identity leans into the comic-book medium rather than away from it.
Costumes and Special Effects
Superman’s suit finally embraces the iconic comic look, while other characters’ costumes feel intentionally exaggerated to match their energy. Guy Gardner’s Green Lantern look is delightfully obnoxious. Special effects are impactful without being overwhelming, including a kaiju-scale city battle that feels earned rather than excessive.
Standout Performances Across the Board
David Corenswet gives us a Clark Kent full of empathy and restraint. He’s charming, humble, and deeply human.
Rachel Brosnahan plays Lois Lane as sharp, grounded, and emotionally intelligent.
Nicholas Hoult steals scenes as a deeply online, bitter Lex Luthor who is more unsettling than suave.
Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner brings comic relief that works.
Edi Gathegi is magnetic as Mr. Terrific, introducing a tech-savvy hero who deserves his own arc.
Krypto the Superdog adds emotional weight and levity, often without saying a word.
Music and Dialogue
The soundtrack includes perfectly timed needle drops, but never overshadows the original score. Gunn’s writing is strongest in the personal moments, especially between Clark and Ma and Pa Kent. While a few lines verge on cheesy, most dialogue feels grounded and character-driven.
A Soft, Sincere Superman
As someone who’s emotional over CGI animals and tender father-son moments, this movie worked for me. The infamous squirrel rescue scene might sound silly, but it’s that attention to small-scale heroism that makes Superman feel different. about who shows up for others.
Spoiler Warning: The following section discusses major plot points from Superman (2025). Stop reading now to avoid spoilers. Bookmark this page, enjoy the film, and come back for the spoiler-filled analysis!
The Moments That Hit Hardest
The real beauty of the James Gunn Superman reboot is in the details. From Superman saving a squirrel during a kaiju-level fight to his tender moments with Ma and Pa Kent, the film leans into emotional beats without fear of seeming soft.
Lex Luthor: The Most Hate-able Villain
Hoult’s Lex isn’t slick or suave. He’s deeply insecure, spewing venom from behind a screen. His toxicity feels disturbingly familiar, mirroring the kind of bitterness we see in real-life comment sections. And the film never excuses it.
Themes and Takeaways
Krypto’s loyalty mirrors Superman’s inner strength. He doesn’t speak, but his presence brings warmth to every scene. And Supergirl’s brief but fierce appearance signals a version finally made for women—not for the male gaze. Though briefly featured, her appearance is a highlight, and it’s clear Gunn intends to explore her story with care.
The James Gunn Superman reboot is about radical kindness. About slowing down, saving squirrels, and choosing compassion when it’s not easy. It’s also about how hate can spread through modern tools like media and social platforms. This Superman fights for truth and love, not just through fists, but through presence.
A Superman for the Soft and the Strong
Whether you’re a longtime comic fan or someone burned out by grim superhero films, this reboot offers something new: sincerity.
This isn’t just a good superhero movie. It’s a necessary one. It reminds us that gentleness and power are not mutually exclusive. James Gunn has delivered a Superman that makes you feel hopeful again, through grace.
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