This review is about two weeks late and I apologize for that. Such is life, eh? Anyway, I saw Superman opening weekend in the theater and had a blast. I was very much looking forward to this movie and had nothing but faith in James Gunn to deliver, and he did so in spades. Great film!

Movie Rating: 9/10 – Great

I was mostly lukewarm on all the DCEU movies. I didn’t care for Man of Steel and, even though I think I’ve only seen it that one time in theaters, I just don’t care for it. I probably enjoyed Joss Whedon’s Justice League more than Zack Snyder’s Justice League. I enjoyed both Aquaman movies. But I am more than ready for James Gunn to deliver a new, better DC Cinematic Universe. Let’s hope they’re all as good as Superman.

Join me after the jump for my full review and thoughts on Superman. Expect SOME SPOILERS for the movie. And feel free to share your own thoughts in the comments below.

6. Really enjoyable and entertaining Superman adventure

I had a lot of fun with Superman and am very pleased with the film as the start of a new franchise, or at least the first big tentpole of that franchise. This is a big, stuffed Superman adventure from start to finish, with high stakes action, awesome fight scenes and very good character work. That’s everyone one could hope for in a good superhero movie. This is a classic adventure, as Superman must contend with a criminal scheme from Lex Luthor, relying on his strengths and his allies to win the day in the end. That’s good stuff all around.

The movie had heart, the movie had character, it had personality; and it had a great Superman at the lead. David Corenswet easily took on the role and played both Clark Kent and Superman as great, enjoyable characters. He carried the film with ease, through the light and the dark, and had a great sense of humor about the whole thing.

This was an easy movie to like. I don’t think it’s the best thing Gunn has done for DC. The Suicide Squad was just a bit better. But this was a damn good Superman movie, and a damn good kick-off to the DCU.

5. A lot to suddenly take in

One minor gripe I have with the movie is that it throws us right into the story, introduces us to a ton of characters, and just expects us to be on board right away. As a comic book fan, it wasn’t too hard, but as a movie fan, it was a little jarring. I’m glad we didn’t get a redo of Superman’s entire origin, but a little set-up to everything happening would be nice. I also don’t normally like using text to start a movie and explain the set-up…but dang if that “three…ago” gimmick wasn’t fun. So yeah, there are parts to love and parts to be a little taken aback by. I’m sure it won’t be a problem on future viewings.

4. Great cast of characters

There was some concern, early on, that too many characters were being thrown into the movie. I did not have a problem with this. The simple fact is that movies have supporting characters. And why not include a bunch of other superheroes? Why not have the likes of Hawkgirl and Metamorpho fill out the supporting cast? And then they did splendidly! The Justice Gang was so much fun. Mr. Terrific suddenly became a ton of people’s new favorite superhero. We saw a comics accurate Metamorpho on the big screen! And the Daily Planet crew was a hoot. And Ma and Pa Kent were amazing. James Gunn brought together a stellar cast of characters to kick off this new superhero universe.

3. I didn’t like them shooting Mali

So obviously, movies are pretty much finished by the time we get trailers. But there was that one trailer where the dude on the street, Mali, helps Superman out of the crater, and that really got to me. It was an awesome trailer moment that spoke to the heart of the new movie and the new Superman. And…then they go and have Lex Luthor shoot and kill Mali in the actual movie. Dang. That was a real bummer. Lex is evil, and I get why he did it. But that was a really awesome trailer moment, and a really awesome movie moment, and then Mali gets shot for his heroism. Dang, yo.

2. I loved the focus on good journalism

There’s a moment in Superman where the staff of the Daily Planet write a story, have it edited by Perry White and then click the appropriate buttons to upload the story to the web. That’s my day job. That’s what I do! I’m a newspaper reporter for a career and it was just so darn fun to watch that play out through the Planet staff. I do click buttons to send a story to the web! I do have editors! We don’t write anything as important as taking down Lex Luthor. And maybe it’s a little pie in the sky to think print journalism can have such an impact. But the news still matters, the Daily Planet still matters and this movie had a lot of fun with the crew. Rachel Brosnahan was a perfect Lois Lane. Her interview tactics with Superman were the real deal. And then she led a great reporter crew, making them matter even in 2025. I loved that everybody in the building was panicking, but Perry stayed in place to hear out Lois’ story, then loaded everybody up to do their damn jobs!

1. Bring on the DCU!

I’m all for seeing more of this universe. I want to see this universe’s versions of Batman and Wonder Woman, and I want to see them meet this Superman. I want to see Guy Gardner interact with the other Green Lanterns and I can’t wait for that TV show. I want to see that Hall of Justice filled with heroes as the proper Justice League forms. I want big, colorful superhero adventures across the DC Universe! No more darkness. No more fear of being silly or bright or colorful. I want to see this world really come to life.

And I’m especially excited for the Supergirl movie next year! People seem to be put off by her brief appearance at the end of Superman, and to them I say bah and flimshaw! It was a fine teaser for her movie, and a great lead-in to the Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow comic. That is a damn good comic and I hope they nail the tone and story.

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