Jacked In Reviews ‘Superman’ (2025)

As we look upon a vast arctic setting with a gorgeous blue hue, we are quickly brought up to speed with everything that’s been happening “recently”. It’s been 300 years since the dawn of meta-humans, 30 years since a Kryptonian baby crash landed on Earth, and 3 years since the world was introduced… to Superman (David Corenswet). Then, having just lost his first fight, Big Blue himself crashes onto the screen, the story hits the ground running, and so begins the dawn of the DCU.

Director James Gunn brings numerous refreshing takes to this universe and one of the most famous characters of all time, but we’re introduced to a main one more or less straight away. And that is, he respects the audience’s ability to keep up. Not only does Gunn forgo the origin (which is fair, no one is going to be like “Wait… why can he fly? Where did he come from?…” we know that story, we’re all good), but he even skips the beginning of the battle Superman is currently in.

Instead of wasting time delving into characters’ backgrounds, we pretty much get to follow the latest week in Superman’s life. It’s as if we’re flicking through #7 of a Comic Book, viewing a world and characters that have already been well established in prior issues, and it totally works. From Krypto the Superdog and Fortress of Solitude robots to pocket dimensions and Kaijus, everything just fits.

… their amazing romantic chemistry, is so transfixing to watch when the two are on screen together.

On that note, every character is perfectly cast – from mains to sides. Nicholas Hoult (Mad Max: Fury Road, Nosferatu) slides into the role of Lex Luthor – the envious, rich scientist with a grudge to settle – effortlessly and almost brings a pain to the character that allows you to empathise with him. Rachel Brosnahan (House of Cards, Patriots Day) brings a tremendous go-getter’s attitude to Lois Lane, the reporter who questions everything. Not to mention her character’s ability to simultaneously have these contrasting beliefs to Superman/Clark, whilst still having their amazing romantic chemistry, is so transfixing to watch when the two are on screen together.

Ma and Pa Kent (Neva Howell and Pruitt Taylor Vince) are Kansans through and through, with their simple country lifestyle and good moral foundations, it is crystal clear where Clark gets his values from. Mr. Terrific (Edi Gathegi) is as badass as he is smart, Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced) is an absolute warrior, and The Green Lantern AKA Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion) is a complete dick in all the best ways possible.

… his main superpower has always been his humanity.

There are many iterations of Superman, both on screen and between pages, but his main superpower has always been his humanity, and it is captured perfectly here. Now, Corenswet (Pearl, The Politician) literally just needs to say “Miss Lane” whilst folding his arms, and you’re sold; however, it still manages to double down. When Lois hits Supes with lines like “You trust everyone and think everyone you’ve ever met is like…beautiful.” your heart can’t help but melt as you see the world’s greatest Boy Scout return to the big screen for the first time in almost two decades (special shoutout to Brandon Routh in Superman Returns). Because (here we go), although Zack Snyder and Henry Cavill’s version looked absolutely stunning, their Man of Steel just didn’t have a great deal of warmth behind his muscles.

Another feature which deserves a tip of the… glasses(?) is the expertly executed duality between Superman and Clark Kent. This is something previous Supes’ Christopher Reeve has always been commended for, and it’s fair to say Corenswet does that aspect of the character some serious justice.

In short, stylistically it has Gunn all over it and might just be one of the most Comic Book movies ever made.

Storywise, it’s non-stop from the word go, the dialogue is absolutely “fillerless”, only being used to carry the story forward and add depth to a character and what they stand for, which is a breath of fresh air. Visually, this flick is action-packed, colourful and unique. It hasn’t fallen into that generic style we’ve become accustomed to – and almost started growing tired of – with Superhero movies in recent years. In short, stylistically it has Gunn all over it and might just be one of the most Comic Book movies ever made.

Come the end credits, you’ll have been hit right in the feels, be left with a smile that you can’t get rid of and have an unshakeable desire to be nicer… and “maybe that’s the real punk rock”?

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