I gotta be real with y’all; The newest installation of the Superman franchise is not so super, man. Unless you’re a true comic book fan. If that’s the case, you might really dig this silly reincarnation of the classic superhero’s tale. But I don’t think this is the version of the man of steel that’s going to hit home with the average moviegoer. Though that’s just my opinion, of course.
Director James Gunn delivers a film that unapologetically caters to true comic book fans — those who know Kal-El not just as a symbol, but as a soul. This is the version of the hero plucked from the pages of All-Star Superman, Birthright and Kingdom Come (thank you to chatgpt for those titles). Inspired by classic issues, a casual viewer might wonder why certain characters are significant but fans will catch the references and relish the attention to detail. However, even in a packed IMAX theater, the reactions to those moments and scenes were subtle. I was shocked that the fans weren’t relishing or reacting more fervently to those nods that were added just for them!
What To Expect From Superman 2025
This approach does come at a cost: average moviegoers, like myself, may find the pacing slow, the narrative dense and the character motivations opaque without prior knowledge. There are fewer action beats than some might expect, and many emotional payoffs are rooted in an understanding of the mythology that the film assumes you already have.
As a non-fan, there were a few things I liked. Krypto the Superdog is a scene stealer. He’s not just there for laughs. Krypto is part of the heart of this film.
I also really enjoyed the end of the film – though I can’t tell you anything about that because… spoilers. At least the pay off was somewhat worth sitting through an hour and thirty plus minutes. Somewhat.
To reiterate my earlier comment, I just don’t think this is the Superman for the average viewer. I say, just watch the originals with Christopher Reeves or the Henry Cavill version. You may even consider binging the TV series Smallville. Spanning 10 seasons, there are over 200 episodes available to stream on Hulu and Max. That’ll keep you busy for a while.
But if you’re not a true fan, you may still enjoy this story. I recommend you go into it knowing that this film is for the readers, the collectors, the believers. This isn’t a popcorn and punch fest. It’s a movie that pays homage to a legacy. So what if it isn’t for everybody. You can’t please all of the people all of the time.
Superman is in theaters on July 11, 2025.
