Lex claims that Superman might be a global threat because of his involvement in the Boravia-Jarhanpur situation. He proposes a solution to the U.S. government, a special task force he calls Planet Watch. This unit includes his most powerful assets: the Engineer (María Gabriela de Faría), Ultra Man, and a fleet of flying armored soldiers. However, the government is reluctant to approve his plan unless he can present solid evidence that Superman poses a serious danger.
While Lex looks for a way to bring Superman down, Superman continues doing what he does best. He saves lives. Whether it is stopping an enormous kaiju or going toe-to-toe with a mysterious iron suit, he shows up. He is not alone either. Sometimes, he gets help from his loyal dog, Krypto. Other times, the Justice Gang steps in. The team includes Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion), Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced), and Mr. Terrific (Edi Gathegi). But their support is limited. They are under Maxwell Lord and his company, so their involvement depends on the situation.
Outside of saving the world, Superman lives a quieter life as Clark Kent. He works as a journalist for The Daily Planet alongside his best friend Jimmy Olsen (Skyler Gisondo) and his girlfriend, Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan). Lois knows the truth about Clark and Superman, and they’re secretly dating. Though, it’s not working out perfectly as both would've want to.
But despite everything, from relationship issue to world-ending problems, one thing remains clear. The world needs Superman. So when Lex finally makes his move and begins to carry out his plan to eliminate him, Superman must find the strength to face his biggest challenge yet.
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We’ve gone so deep into the comic book movie craze, especially with the ever-expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe, that we’ve almost forgotten what superhero comics were meant to feel like in the first place. They used to be bright, optimistic, and fun. But nowadays, most superhero films aim for a more grounded and serious tone. The stakes are so high that instead of walking out of the theater feeling hopeful, we often feel dread.
James Gunn must have noticed this shift. Somewhere along the way, we started taking these films too seriously and forgot that superheroes are supposed to represent hope above all else. They remind us that any conflict, no matter how overwhelming, can be resolved through strength, teamwork, perseverance, and a belief in doing the right thing.
That is what Superman gets right. It reminds us that hope still matters. Hope is still there. It does not try to set up a bigger universe or tease endless sequels. It simply tells the story of a man trying to stop the world from falling apart. And sometimes, that is all we need, a story that empowers us.
What is impressive is how much fun Gunn brings to this retelling of the blue boyscout. The fight scenes, shot brilliantly by Henry Braham, are fresh and exciting. The music and song choices perfectly match the emotional tone of each scene. Every character brings something unique to the story, making the film feel alive and colorful.
David Corenswet as Superman is surprisingly just right. After everything that happened with DC and Henry Cavill, it is hard to let go of Cavill’s version. But you can tell that Corenswet is not trying to replace or outdo him. He plays Superman with honesty and humility, staying true to the heart of the character instead of trying to reinvent him.
The same goes for Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane. Their chemistry works because both actors clearly understand who their characters are. They do not try to force it. They simply are Lois and Clark, and that sincerity makes a huge difference.
We also have to give credit to Nicholas Hoult for his outstanding performance as Lex Luthor. From the moment he appears on screen, you will immediately dislike him, and that is exactly what makes the character work. No one resents Superman better than Lex, and Hoult captures that hatred with sharp, unsettling precision. He brings menace through both actions and words. Every time he is on screen, you fear what he might do next.
Superman is the first film in DC’s new chapter titled Gods and Monsters. If this is how it begins, I am genuinely excited for what comes next. For the first time in a long while, it feels like Marvel might finally have real competition.
4/5
