Superman '25 - 8.9./10

Jadd J.A.D.D. Jadd

This movie was one of my most anticipated movies of the year. It exceeded my expectations and more. I'm a James Gunn fan; he takes characters that no one else has heard of, makes them fully realised and developed characters that you can relate to and connect with. Now, Superman is one of the hardest to execute because he's a god. How can he relate to and humanise him? Not since Christopher Reeve's portrayal of the character has Superman been tangible and real. James Gunn understood this and nailed it with this version of Superman, but in the movie and its characters. David Corenswet is incredible, and my second-favourite portrayal, after Christopher Reeve.

David Corenswet's portrayal of Clark Kent/Kal-El/ Superman is personal, warm, vulnerable, and relatable, and that's what makes him human. Both David Corenswet and James Gunn understood this and nailed it. Rachel Brosnahan is superb as Lois Lane; she gives Lois more independence and urgency than ever and plays a bigger role. We see her as an investigative journalist, and of her letting her guard down, opening up and choosing to love and let Clark in. David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan have genuinely romantic and real chemistry together; they felt like a real couple. With Lois being the realist and Clark being the idealist, they go so perfectly together.

Nicholas Hoult was excellent as Lex Luthor; he was believable as a genius. As well as being dripping with ego, jealousy, and pitiful. While being sadistic and menacing. To me, the standouts of the movie are Edi Gathegi, who is marvellous as Mr. Terrific. He was very engaging to watch and smarter than Lex Luthor. I could watch and listen to him all day; he owned that character. I love Isabela Merced. I wish she had more to do, and she was the perfect choice for Kendra Saunders/Hawkgirl. She leaves an impact, and I'm excited to see her going forward. Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho was superb. He was sympathetic and had tons of great moments. Alan Tudyk as the Superman robot was funny and sincerely heartfelt, with his deadpan robotic voice and his care for Kal-El/Superman.

Skyler Gisondo was solid as Jimmy Oslen and did more with him than I expected. I love Nathan Fillion in general, and he was perfect as Guy Gardner/Green Lantern, but he didn't leave much of an impression on me.

Wendell Pierce is a fantastic character actor, and I wish he had more to do as Perry White. Sara Sampaio as Eve Teschmacher was funny and fun to watch, especially later in the movie. María Gabriela de Faría as The Engineer was fierce and deadly as a foe for Superman.

The costumes are grounded yet fantastical; the editing is tight and tasteful. There's no fat to trim, but it doesn't skip through the emotional and tender scenes. John Murphy and David Fleming's score keeps the original iconic theme, but also uses rock symphony and beautiful melodies. The visuals and action sequences are slick and amazingly filmed with great camera angles, and the same goes for the flying sequences. You feel like you're soaring and flying with Superman.

It felt cramped and squeezed in, especially in the second act. The CGI gets a little overstuffed. Ultraman, I got what they were going with, but I was the same way about another superhero movie in Marvel. I know there will be fans who will be upset with a certain twist, but it didn't bother me because I like having those types of things change for the story and character motivations. But I felt like those were my biggest flaws with the movie.

This movie is about human kindness and compassion. That's what these far-right-wing pundits, Republicans and conservatives, grifters and Ben Shapiro, Matt Walsh, Michael Knowles, Tyrone Magnus, Tim Pool, Nerdrotic, Fox News, Candace Owens, Critical Drinker, Geeks + Gamers and Chris Gore, HeelvsBabyface are all bigoted pieces of garbage keep forgetting what that means. They are stupid and evil. Here's the thing. Superman landed, raised in the US. Captain America was born and raised there, but just because they are from there doesn't mean they fight and defend only America. They do, but they fight for everyone everywhere. They care for humanity, and they are selfless. So eat garbage, you walking pale of garbage screaming 'woke or not my heroes." You are missing the point.

I highly recommend this; it's hopeful, optimistic, warm and makes me believe in heroes. That's what we need right now, and that's punk rock. The beginning of the DCU has arrived, and I'm excited to see where it goes from here.