Superman: The Good, The Bad, The Terrific

We’ve been waiting for James Gunn’s Superman for a minute, and now it’s finally here. Turns out it’s pretty good, and a genuinely promising start. I went into the screening with tempered expectations; it’s always been hard to capture Superman on screen outside of the comics and animated series we grew up with. We all cherish what we had in the past, but this new take tries to give us something different, a little more human, a little more flawed, and in many places, it truly works.

The Good

David Corenswet’s take on Superman and Clark Kent was a compelling reinterpretation. The way Gunn wrote him, he’s more humanized. This is a Superman who gets beat up and pushed to his limits by Lex Luthor, who’s trying to juggle the meaning of his purpose on Earth, manage a healthy relationship with Lois, and still keep up the quality of his writing at the Daily Planet. I was hoping Corenswet might give us a bit of that Christopher Reeve split, where Superman and Clark feel like two totally different guys, but he didn’t. And honestly? That’s fine. Gunn’s version leans into a more down-to-earth Supes; he makes quick puns, even claps back at social media trolls. He’s more human than ever. While I still cherish my favorite Superman actors, Corenswet delivered a commendable performance, especially since this story gives us more Superman than Clark.

Rachel Brosnahan was a solid Lois Lane. She nailed the award-winning, “get to the truth no matter what” journalist. One of the film’s best scenes is her interview with Superman, where they discuss his morals, the impact of his actions on global politics, and how the world isn’t as black and white. It’s a hard conversation that puts a real strain on their relationship, but also deepens it. Plus, she’s not just there to be saved; she helps Superman and the Justice Gang save the day through her investigative chops.

No Daily Planet newsroom feels right without that booming, no-nonsense energy of Perry White. In Superman, Wendell Pierce steps into the role and nails it bringing us a big-shot, sharp-as-ever Perry, cigar and all. In the comics, Perry’s always been that gruff, principled editor-in-chief who lives and breathes truth and integrity, and Pierce captures that perfectly on screen. His scenes might be short, but they land. He’s the Daily Planet’s rock, the unwavering moral compass and a fierce defender of journalism in a world overrun by gods and monsters.

Nicholas Hoult was a phenomenal Lex cold, brilliant, twisted. His Lex has everything at his disposal, from an alien that grows into a kaiju to Metamorpho (Anthony Carrigan) and the nano-tech soldier Engineer (María Gabriela de Faría). His motivations might come off messy, but to me it’s clear: it’s all about ego. Lex’s relationships are purely transactional once you’re no longer helpful or don’t fall in line, you end up locked in a pocket dimension alongside a host of other unlucky souls, including his exes. Even in the comics, Lex is so consumed by power he’d sacrifice himself for it. Hoult understood that assignment.

Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner is hands-down perfect casting. Straight out of the comics bowl cut, cocky grin, trash-talking, and ready to throw hands with Superman if it comes to it. Some of the constructs he makes with his Green Lantern ring are hilarious (yes, including giant middle fingers). It’s all about ego for Guy, too, which sets him up to clash with Big Blue in the funniest ways. Fillion brings that loudmouth energy effortlessly.

And I have to be honest, the film’s biggest scene-stealer is Krypto. Wild, playful, and stronger than you’d think. Gunn modeled him after his own dog, and it shows. Early on, we get Superman battered and bruised, calling for help, only for Krypto to pounce on him, wanting to play. But when it time to fight? Krypto delivers the movie’s biggest laughs and most viral moments.

Unexpected Surprises: Beyond the main cast, there are some neat cameos scattered throughout that will make you laugh and maybe even scratch your head out of curiosity, hinting at a broader, more connected universe to come.

The Bad

What holds this back from being the best Superman film ever is some of Gunn’s writing. There are plot holes, awkward moments of humor that undercut the stakes, and dialogue that’s sometimes clunky. The emotional beats, especially with Superman’s parents, feel rushed and forced. Gunn’s style tends to lean hard into jokes, even when maybe he shouldn’t.

I was also hyped to see Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced), but her character felt thin. She had cool action scenes, but they were overshadowed by the bigger arcs in the film. There’s so much rich story and personality to Hawkgirl, and hopefully the next film digs deeper.

The Terrific

Now for the best part of the film, my guy, Mister. Terrific. Edi Gathegi shows out. From his sharp, sly remarks to throwing hands alongside his T-Spheres, he’s the most intelligent man in the room and doesn’t let you forget it. One standout scene has him protecting Lois Lane while taking down Luthor’s goons—using his T-Spheres to morph, move, and maul enemies, all while jumping into the fight himself.

Mister Terrific’s fingerprints are all over the film’s tech. He gets more lines and screen time than some Justice League teammates and rightfully so. Gathegi himself said it best about playing Michael Holt:

“First and foremost, the character is Black. There’s not a whole lot of Black superheroes that we get to choose from, and he’s one of them. But he’s more than that. This man is extraordinary, a genius, a polymath, a flawed human dealing with grief, and a human in a world of gods and monsters. He’s special sauce in the DCU.”

Couldn’t have said it better. Mister Terrific isn’t just another “smart guy.” He’s got some humor, he’s got swagger, and he’s out here competing with both Superman’s might, Luthor’s intellect, and other Meta-Humans around the world. It’s honestly cool to watch.

The Look

Visually, the film serves up some striking cinematography, especially in those shots of Superman soaring through the sky. There’s one moment with him hovering in the clouds against a light amber backdrop—that was just beautiful. The CGI is obvious at times, but it doesn’t pull you out of it, especially with a score that knows exactly when to soar and when to crank up for the action. Speaking of, the action is gritty and heavy. Watching it in IMAX, you felt every punch, slam, and blast of heat vision. Some of those fights got downright dirty and I mean that as a compliment.

The Conclusion

It’s not a perfect Superman film, but it’s a solid 7/10 and a genuinely hopeful start for this new DC era. It’s funny, relatable, and surprisingly political, especially with how Gunn frames it as an immigrant story Superman, an alien, trying to find his place on a new world. That angle makes the film feel more timely than ever, echoing a lot of what’s happening in our politics and communities right now. Plus, we get one of the best takes on Lex Luthor and a long-overdue showcase for Mr. Terrific. More importantly, it pushes the boundaries of who these stories center and who gets to shine in them.

Watch Superman in theaters July 11th 2025.