Superman (2025) Review: James Gunn’s Soulless Reboot Fails to Take Flight

Remember when superhero films were actually super? When Christopher Reeve made us believe a man could fly, or even when Henry Cavill brought brooding depth to the Man of Steel? Well, grab your kryptonite, because James Gunn’s much-hyped Superman reboot has landed with all the grace of a lead balloon wearing pants outside its trousers.

A Square-Jawed Snooze-Fest

Let’s address the elephant in the room: David Corenswet’s Superman. While he’s got the chiselled jaw and impressive physique, his performance is about as dynamic as a mannequin in a Cape Shop window. Having sat through countless Superman iterations (including a memorable screening of Superman IV where my mate Dave fell asleep and missed the entire Nuclear Man sequence), I can’t help but feel we’ve taken several steps backward.

Crisis of Confidence or Crisis of Creativity?

The film desperately wants to be both a fresh start and a love letter to Superman’s legacy, but ends up being neither fish nor fowl. Gunn, who gave us the brilliantly bonkers Guardians of the Galaxy, seems to have left his creative mojo in the Marvel universe. The script meanders through a tepid “crisis of confidence” storyline that makes you long for the simple days of stopping bank robbers and rescuing cats from trees.

When Franchise Fatigue Meets AI Blandness

It’s 2025, and we’re drowning in superhero content faster than you can say “multiverse.” This reboot feels like it was focus-grouped to death, with all the personality of a ChatGPT attempt at writing inspiring speeches. Even the special effects, while technically impressive, lack the wow factor that made us first fall in love with seeing a man soar through the clouds.

FAQ: Your Superman Questions Answered

Is this Superman reboot worth watching in cinemas?

Unless you’re a die-hard completionist or enjoy watching 200 million evaporate on screen, you might want to wait for streaming. The IMAX experience doesn’t add much to what feels like a made-for-TV movie with a blockbuster budget.

How does David Corenswet compare to previous Supermen?

While Corenswet looks the part, he lacks the charm of Christopher Reeve, the gravitas of Henry Cavill, or even the earnestness of Brandon Routh. His Superman feels more like a GQ model who accidentally wandered onto a superhero set.

What’s different about James Gunn’s version?

Gunn attempts to modernize Superman for 2025 audiences but loses the character’s essential optimism and inspiration in the process. The film tries to be grittier and more “relevant” but ends up feeling disconnected from what makes Superman special.

The Verdict: Up, Up, and Away… From This One

In trying to reboot Superman for a new generation, James Gunn has delivered a film that’s neither super nor particularly entertaining. It’s a shame, really – we needed the Big Blue Boy Scout more than ever in 2025. Instead, we’ve got a franchise starter that’s left me longing for the “good old days” of Zack Snyder’s much-maligned Justice League. And crikey, I never thought I’d write those words.

What do you reckon? Has Superman lost his shine, or am I being harder on this reboot than a bullet bouncing off the Man of Steel’s chest? Drop your thoughts in the comments below – just keep the heat vision on low, yeah?