James Gunn's Superman Gives Us the Hope We've Been Missing, and Most Definitely Been Needing as DC Fans

Movie Poster via James Gunn

I'll try to keep this review as spoiler free as possible, but no promises. Read at your discretion. I'll just be discussing all the components that make me feel like this Superman is the positive figure we've been yearning for in media, and all the inbetweens. Keeping the plot out of this, I'll be focusing on some of the films main characters (because there are too many to dissect!) and world building. So let's get started!

First things first, I love our new Superman. David Corenswet does a great job at giving us a dorky, small town Clark Kent and a corny, loveable Superman. Clark isn't trying to be suave or charming. His charm is how down to Earth he is. He's a heartthrob without being written as a heartthrob, if that makes sense. Honestly, it feels like our cinematic Superman finally has some humanity again and it doesn't just revolve around Lois. This Superman values human lives, flat out. He isn't trying to be a political figure or National posterboy. He just wants to do what's right, and is very consistent with that character trait.

Photo from DC

Speaking of consistency, we have the ever efficient and capable Lois Lane. I adore the casting choice of Rachel Brosnahan, and I feel like she portrayed Lois perfectly. She's not a stone cold, heartless reporter but her guard is up when it comes to her blossoming relationship with Clark, who she already knows is Superman. It's kind of nice that were able to skip the whole discovery part of their relationship, you know? Shows how intuitive she is. Anyway, Lois is personable while also being a realist. It's one of the things that almost always draws Clark to him. That rationality keeps him centered, and his farmer-boy upbringing relieves her of some of that tension. She is loyal and independent, while also being observant and clever. I absolutely adored this version of her.

Then there's Lex Luthor. Lord, is that man evil. He's definitely a drastic improvement from Batman V Superman's Lex Luthor. I said what I said, and I can comfortably say I hated Jesse Eisenberg's Lex! But I do not hate Nicholas Hoult's Lex Luthor. His portrayal of Lex is everything it should have been. Narcissistic, manipulative, egocentric, and maniacal. But the fucker is brilliant enough to open up a pocket universe to imprison metahumans, and anyone that dares to paint him in a negative light. It's the kind of pettiness that we weren't able to see from a Lex in way too long. He is spiteful enough to be the film's main villain, and evil enough to be the perfect threat for Superman.

There are a plethora of other characters in the film, but for the sake of time and all of your eyeballs, I'll say this. No character felt absolutely useless. Everyone fulfilled a purpose and brought something to the table. While some were more important than others, everyone did something memorable and solidified themselves as solid members of the cast.

Now to dive into the world Gunn and company have successfully built. Obviously the film is set in Metropolis, but he utilized a lot of the easter eggs that point to which heroes we may be seeing in the future. I'll let you guys find those on your own. But it was great to see that metahumans are part of the norm in this universe. We get a glimpse at Clark's day to day, and a peek at Smallville without lingering there for too long. AND the fortress of solitude is icy as can be.

What I loved the most, is that Superman is the nice guy again. There is nothing questionable or malicious about 2025's Superman. There is no inner crisis. Superman is secure in knowing that he wants what is best for everyone, and works to maintain the safety of all people on planet Earth. Regardless of who they are, what they've done, or where they're from. And he definitely doesn't care if the government disapproves. He sticks to his gut and his morals, and refuses for that be shaken.

I am really hoping that this movie exceeds box office expectations, so that we can see more of this universe. See some of the underappreciated and not so utilized characters that DC has to offer. Characters like Zatanna and the Black Canary. Maybe we can finally get that live action Martian Manhunter.

In today's world of constant worry and upsetting news, Superman is a reminder that there is still good in the world. We just gotta find it.