Superman (2025)  

Review: written July 2025

Truth and Justice wearing a cape – while the script wears a smirk.

The Christopher Reeve Superman movie holds a special place in my heart. Seen at a formative age, it left an indelible positive mark on me and is partly responsible for my love of cinema. So when I say this movie isn’t a patch on that, let’s just park that, and try and take this movie on its own merits.

Things start right in the middle of a plot, with a few lines of exposition to get you up to speed. In fact, the story rattles along so fast that there doesn’t even appear to be time for credits or title music, we are off and running (or flying as the case may be). Superman has interjected in a territorial dispute between two fictional countries, sparking a debate on his role in ‘interfering’ in the political arena. Quickly though, we find Luthor behind the scenes manipulating events to embroil Superman and bring him to ruin. We meet new versions of all the old characters we have come to know, with Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor a particular standout – having all the preening arrogance you need in the character, along with enough humanity to see how his hubris could lead him to such dastardly deeds. And while I didn’t come away thinking “wow, didn’t David Corenswet do a great job as Superman”, the fact is I really never gave it much thought in the movie – surely a positive sign he was well accepted in the role. His chemistry with Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane is palpable enough to believe their relationship. Along with these expected characters, we have other ‘metahumans’ in this version, led by Nathan Fillion having a blast, playing Green Lantern in a ridiculous haircut.

There are a lot of ideas being thrown at the screen – There are significant tweaks to Superman’s backstory, proton rivers, inter dimensional gateways, a pocket universe, black holes, superdog (I’ll get to him in a minute), and more than a little liberal leaning political jabs about the acceptance of aliens. Superman at the heart of this story is an immigrant who people become suspicious of, largely due to fake news, before being threatened with imprisonment, before finding out that he is as human as the rest of us and we should judge him on his actions. It’s not hard to see some subtext.

In short, the movie has some great moments of heart, great moments of humour, and some .. well, okay moments of dramatic tension. What it fails throughout to achieve is a balance of these.. it feels like a mixed bag. But while I didn’t love it, I went with it. I just miss the groundedness I loved in the 70’s version.

Cgi ‘Superdog’ is amusing enough and judging by the audience I was part of, stealing the show in places. But having him repeatedly rescue Superman and float around, and being tortured by being forced to chase non existent squirrels (I’m really not kidding), veers over the line from good natured light hearted fun, to ill-judged pastiche just a bit too often.

So yes, for all the moments where I was thrilled – look, the Fortress of Solitude! Or moments I was engaged with the ideas ( Lois and Superman’s “interview’ has some interesting ideas and dialogue that I would love to have seen more of), there were moments when we find out that Superman is being smeared by an army of literal monkeys generating anti-Superman social media posts, or a Marvel-like interdimensional rift threatening to destroy (yawn) yet another city.. the tone jumps faster than you can leap a tall building.

Look, It's a movie told with obvious love of the character and his legacy. There’s hope, heroism, and John Williams iconic theme breaks out now and again to underscore the optimism and integrity. The flying never looked so real, the Lois and Clark scenes work, and Luthor is a highlight. But then there are all those other things going on; Superdog, the special effects scenes where people smile and hug like everything is ok moments after half a city is destroyed, the jumping around in tone.. it’s Kal-el meets LOL.

So that lifelong relationship I’ve had with Superman..? I’m not angry, I’m just disappointed.