Superman 2025 Review: A Phenomenal Start to the New DCU
- A to Geekz
- Jul 21, 2025
- 3 min read
The launch of James Gunn’s new DCU begins with Superman (2025), and as a lifelong fan, I walked into the theatre with a mix of excitement and anxiety. Could this movie really carry the weight of rebooting such an iconic universe?
The answer: 100%. Superman delivers.
A Superman Story at Its Core
Yes, team-ups play a big role here, but what impressed me most was how this film never lost sight of Superman. It works as the beginning of something larger, yet at its heart, it is still very much a Superman story.
Stunning Visuals & Cinematic Flow
The visuals are breathtaking—from kaiju-scale battles to grounded, intimate character moments. The pacing is tight, with no awkward lulls or unnecessary detours. Every scene moves the story forward.
David Corenswet as Superman
Casting Superman is always a huge challenge, but David Corenswet nails it.
His Superman feels fresh yet canonical.
His Clark Kent and Superman feel distinct, yet clearly the same person.
He embodies a younger, more naive Superman, with shades of arrogance, but still radiates hope and goodness.
This version bleeds, he struggles, and that makes his victories hit harder.
Power Balance Done Right
James Gunn emphasized making Superman powerful but not overpowered, and it shows. He bleeds, he tires, and while sunlight recharges him, he’s far from invincible. This opens the door for richer conflicts—Lex Luthor, other metahumans, and future villains feel like real threats.
World-Building the DCU
The film wastes no time laying out the bigger universe:
Metahumans have existed for over 300 years.
The Hammer of Bavaria hints at Lex Luthor’s iconic suit.
A glimpse of Krypton (with Bradley Cooper as Jor-El!) teases more stories.
Supergirl’s backstory hints at exploring Krypton through Woman of Tomorrow.
The seeds planted here create endless storytelling possibilities—past, present, and future.
Ultraman, Clones & Future Teases
One of the biggest twists was Ultraman—not as the Earth-3 counterpart fans know, but a straight-up clone of Superman.
This opens several possibilities:
A path to Superboy (though the same age issue complicates things).
Or perhaps a tragic turn into Bizarro, echoing classic origins where Lex’s cloning experiments go wrong.
The Justice Gang: Supporting Cast That Matters
Superman isn’t alone. The Justice Gang—Guy Gardner (Green Lantern), Hawkgirl, and Mr. Terrific—bring humour, action, and depth.
Mr. Terrific stands out as calm yet charismatic, the best live-action version yet.
Their presence never overshadows Superman but complements his journey.
And yes—Krypto steals the show. Used sparingly but effectively, his moments bring both comic relief and heart.
Lex Luthor: Becoming the Villain
Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor feels different at first—brilliant, dangerous, but not yet the supervillain we know. By the end, though, the transformation begins. This is Lex on the edge, ready to become one of the DCU’s greatest threats.
The Things That Didn’t Work
No movie is perfect, and a couple of moments stood out as misses:
Ice Breath vs. Black Hole. In a grounded Superman film, this felt out of place. After Metamorpho failed to escape, Superman simply freezing his way out didn’t quite fit.
Rushed Family Arc: The emotional climax was tied heavily to Superman’s Earth parents, but it felt underdeveloped. Their role should have been established earlier and woven throughout instead of being rushed at the end.
Final Thoughts
Walking in, I just hoped Superman would be good. Walking out, I can confidently say it’s phenomenal.
It’s:
A blockbuster with true emotional depth.
A story-first film that just happens to be about superheroes.
A Superman movie worthy of standing beside the Christopher Reeve classics.
Most importantly, it’s the beginning of a DCU that feels promising. If this is the standard James Gunn is setting, fans are in for something special.
✨ What did you think of Superman (2025)? Drop your thoughts in the comments below, and let’s geek out together!
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