Superman: A Handsome Review

Written by Kyle Holtgren

SUPERMAN (2025)
Directed by: James Gunn
Screenplay by: James Gunn

My earliest memories of Superman were transmitted straight into my little skull through my parents’ Zenith tube TV, courtesy of Richard Donner. I vividly recall Christopher Reeve stretching his body across a broken track so a train could pass safely. Later, he flew around the Earth fast enough to reverse time, all to save Lois Lane. Wild images for a toddler to absorb, but I was mesmerized.

Years passed, and I kinda forgot about Supes…until 1992, when my dad told me he was dead. It was, of course, a publicity stunt by DC Comics to bring attention back to their progenitive icon. But it worked. My grandfather later handed me a copy of THE DEATH OF SUPERMAN, and I tore through it. By the final pages, I was weeping. I thought we’d lost him forever. But he came back, resurrected soon after in the comics. Maybe this time, Lois was the one racing around the planet…

My interest in SUPERMAN faded again over the decades. He remained in the background—on TV, in a somewhat forgettable 2006 film, and splashed across pop art like Madonna or Mickey Mouse. Superman had become a cultural constant, easy to overlook. I took him for granted.

Then in 2019, I started working at DC Comics, essentially joining forces with the Man of Steel himself. I dove into his mythology, his many interpretations. Like Madonna, Superman reinvented himself often: a cosmic rock god in DARK NIGHTS: METAL, an actual god in Zack Snyder’s films, a tyrant in INJUSTICE. But at his core, he remained the same—noble, selfless, a symbol of hope.

All of which is to say: Everyone has a connection to Superman. And now, standing at the dawn of a new era for DC films, James Gunn may have given us the most kind-hearted and admirable version of the character yet.

Gunn is known for his irreverence, but beneath the mayhem in his work is a clear emotional throughline. It defined his GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY trilogy, and even showed up in the chaotic joy of THE SUICIDE SQUAD (2021). He has a knack for crafting lovable characters, and SUPERMAN is no exception. I worried it might be overstuffed, but Gunn manages to give each character just enough screen time to make an impact. Everyone has a purpose. No one feels like filler.

The Good:
Where to begin? The story offers a hopeful, clear-eyed message about the divine humanity within us all. David Corenswet is a revelation, easily the casting coup of the century. He’s absurdly handsome, yes, but more importantly, he brings the gentle integrity and sincere charm essential to making SUPERMAN work. Rachel Brosnahan is sharp, witty, and fearless as Lois Lane; exactly the kind of partner the Man of Steel deserves.

Scene-stealing turns come from Nathan Fillion as a delightfully arrogant Guy Gardner and Edi Gathegi as the effortlessly cool and cerebral Mister Terrific. And Krypto? He’s already well on his way to becoming America’s newest sweetheart. No surprise there.

The film is visually dazzling. The action is electric, the camerawork is sleek and confident, and the visual effects strike a perfect balance; stylized yet grounded, vivid without overwhelming the story. This feels like a living, breathing comic book brought to life in the best way. And unlike MAN OF STEEL (2013), the emotional weight never gets buried under CGI rubble.

The pacing is brisk without ever feeling rushed. I’ve seen the film three times already, and each viewing has only deepened my appreciation. But what truly sets it apart is the emotional resonance, the chemistry between characters, and the hopeful message that is the film’s beating heart. That message? That kindness is not only cool, it’s “punk rock”. Such a sentiment could’ve descended into cringe territory, but in the deft hands of Gunn, it’s a joyous gut punch.

The Bad:
I just wish there were more of it. I’d bet money Gunn has a longer cut sitting in a vault somewhere. Twenty extra minutes? Thirty? Hashtag RELEASE THE GUNN CUT?

By the time SUPERMAN ended, I had a big, dumb grin on my face, tears in my eyes, and chills down my arms. But I saw that coming. There’s something about James Gunn’s storytelling that bypasses cynicism and goes straight to joy. I’m just so glad he took a chance on Kal-El. His version isn’t just what the character needed. Or what DC needed.

It might be what the world needed.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
(5/5 stars)

Photo Courtesy of Warner Bros.