Release Date: July 8, 2025
View Date: July 26, 2025
Rating: PG-13
Overall Impression: GREAT film. Go see it!
I am not a huge fan of the DC Universe, except Batman, so when I saw this was filming I wasn’t all that excited about it. I was figuring it’d be another DC flop. For several weeks after it’s release I heard rumblings from my friends that this was one of the best Superman movies. Not only that, but it was one of the best DC live action movies. So I broke down and decided to go see it with my son, who is also not a huge Superman fan.
All I can say is they were all right. This is probably one of the best DCU films to come out since the Dark Knight Trilogy in my opinion. And that’s even with the standard Superman plot: Superman gets his ass kicked by something that Lex Luthor did, Lex is found out to be a scumbag and is exposed at the end and Superman overcomes the struggle, makes out with Lois, and kicks Lex’s ass. So, spoilers I guess.
Where they succeeded in making this a great film:
- They did not give a huge backstory and introduction into the events leading up to the movie. The movie starts with a few short sentences: 3 centuries ago this happened, 30 years ago this happened, 3 years ago this happened 3 days ago this happened, 3 minutes ago this happened, and then Superman appears on the screen and we’re off to the races.
- Superman, as strong as he has been in other films and in the comics, is actually quite weak in here it seems. Perhaps it’s the early Superman before he learns he can go to the Sun and supercharge. Seeing him as more human here, from the first time he appears on the screen, is refreshing.
- It’s not bogged down with long rants by Lex that make you roll your eyes.
- It has other heroes that are less well known: Krypto, Green Lantern, Mr. Terrific, Hawk Girl, and Metamorpho. They help show that even Superman needs help, and they add a lot of humor to the movie. At the end when Supergirl shows up, it’s another humorous interaction that is great to see.
- The secondary characters have a reason to be there. The other superheroes play a significant role, Jimmy Olson I feel has a bigger role than Lois Lane. Yes it’s a Superman movie, but it doesn’t feel like it’s centered around him the entire time.
All of these things put together, with a well written script that makes sense, and pretty good acting, makes me hopeful that future Superman movies and future DCU movies will have more depth, better scripts, and a better presence.
If you haven’t seen this movie yet, go see it.