Film review: ‘SUPERMAN’ by Nick Gardener from ‘Built For Speed’

The DC cinematic universe has so far failed to achieve the world conquering success of its Marvel counterpart. The DC films have, like the Marvel movies been noisy, lumbering, confusingly plotted, CGI-drenched behemoths but unlike the Marvel movies, their characters have failed to connect with audiences.  Actors playing the DC characters have changed but no one seems to have cared whereas there would likely have been riots had someone replaced Robert Downey Jr as Iron Man. The latest DC film, yet another reimagining of Superman, seemed to offer something original given that Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn was at the helm.  Unfortunately, this cluttered, erratic, tonally confused film that shifts jarringly from dark science fiction to goofy humour continues the mediocre trend of DC offerings.

This film is not a Superman origin story. Instead, it’s set thirty years after his arrival on Earth and sees him already established as a superhero. When he intervenes in a war between the fictional nations of Boravia and Jarhanpur, some in the US government start to question his right to impose himself on Earth people’s business. The doubts about Superman are further fuelled by nefarious and manipulative tech billionaire Lex Luther who tries to vanquish the Man Of Steel with two powerful metahumans and to destroy Superman’s reputation with some damning evidence about his apparent purpose on Earth.  Superman will need everyone he knows, including other superhumans called The Justice Gang, to combat the bald-headed fiend.

There’s a very obvious effort here to move away from the unquestionably noble even Christ-like Superman we’ve seen in the past to a more flawed human figure.  Unfortunately, this rebrand fails.  Rather than a compellingly complex character, David Corenswet’s Superman is a bit of a goofball who brings to mind how Ashton Kutcher might have played the role.  It’s not as mocking a depiction of Superman as we saw with Thor in the Taika Waititi Marvel films but its still a little irritating and lacks anything like the emotional connection we had with Christopher Reeve in the classic 1978 film or even Brandon Routh in 2006’s Superman Returns.

The supporting cast are also a mixed bag.  As Lois Lane,  Rachel Brosnahan (Marvellous Mrs Maisel) is a little bland and lacks any distinctive behavioural quirks that might have made the character memorable. The romance between her and Superman also has little chemistry. Nicholas Hoult does creepy and menacing pretty well but he doesn’t have enough to work with here as Luther. He’s either whining about how much he hates Superman or providing Dr Evil-style unnecessary explanations of his sinister masterplan.  Wendell Pierce is wasted in a fleeting appearance as newspaper editor Perry White.  As a horribly coiffured Justice Gang member Green Lantern, Nathan Fillion is either funny or obnoxious depending on audience taste.  Some characters, though, make a better impression. Skyler Gisondo (Liquorice Pizza) gives Superman/ Clark Kent’s co-worker Jimmy Olsen an appealingly quirky energy,  Anthony Carrigan gives the shape shifting Metamorpho some empathy and Guardians-style otherworldly sci fi oddness and Edi Gathegi makes chilled tech genius and Justice Gang member Mr Terrific the most charismatic person in the film.

A big problem for superhero movies these days is that we’ve seen countless times what they have to offer in terms of action scenes.  Here, we’re again served up the formula of hero versus villain/ monster in an epic smackdown that levels half a city.  Admittedly, some of these scenes feature impressively realistic effects but audiences are now too familiar with this brand of destruction to be excited by it.

As far as superhero films go, this one is pretty topical with some commentary about the dangerous impact of egotistical mega-rich men on contemporary politics and world affairs. It’s not particularly profound commentary but it at least gives the film a little cultural relevance.

While it doesn’t entirely hold together this version of superman isn’t boring, the action is almost non-stop and that may be enough for some viewers.  Others, though, will feel they’ve sat through a misfiring attempt to reboot a franchise.

Nick’s rating: **1/2

Genre: Drama/ Action/ Adventure/ Superhero.

Classification: M.

Director(s): James Gunn.

Release date: 10th July 2025.

Running time: 129 mins.

Reviewer: Nick Gardener can be heard on “Built For Speed” every Friday night from 8-10pm on 88.3 Southern FM.

 

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