Jul. 23, 2025 SHARE: A couple of weeks ago was my birthday, and I decided to treat myself to a movie. Within the last couple of months, I’ve actually been to the picture show twice. The picture show — that’s what my high school football coach used to call going to the movies. And I’m glad I went, because I saw the highly anticipated reboot of Superman, and it was awesome! Superman is written and directed by James Gunn. Not only is it one of the biggest box office hits of the year (as of this weekend, it’s brought in a whopping $406.8 million worldwide), but it’s also one of those movies that reminds you why we love superheroes in the first place. A Fresh Take on the Man of Steel First off, I loved how they didn’t spend time retelling Superman’s origin story. We all know it by now. Instead, the movie jumps right into the action — literally — with the opening moments landing us face-first at the tail end of a major battle. It felt like the perfect way to start fresh with a character we all know and love. Gunn also introduced us to some interesting friends of Superman’s that we haven’t seen on the big screen before. One standout? Krypto, Superman’s trusty yet spastic superdog, who rescues Superman and drags him to the Fortress of Solitude. When I saw the entrance to that crystal fortress with the Superman logo on the side, it took me right back to my childhood. Fun fact: Krypto is based on James Gunn’s actual dog — both in personality and appearance. As Krypto ushers Superman into his home, we also see a different side of the Man of Steel: the engineer. He’s built Superman robots to help guard the Fortress while he’s away living in Metropolis and working at the Daily Planet as Clark Kent. David Corenswet seems like he was born to play the role of Clark Kent/Superman. He’s believable, strong, vulnerable, and carries that quiet nobility we’ve come to expect from Superman — much like Christopher Reeve had, but in his own way. Rachel Brosnahan plays Lois Lane, and she absolutely nails it — smart, bold, emotionally grounded, and a straight shooter. I appreciated that their relationship was already established. And Gunn gives a great nod to cinematic history by revisiting the iconic Lois/Superman interview — this time with a twist in the circumstances. And then there’s Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor — cold, calculating, and modern. Now listen, it’s hard to top the late Gene Hackman, but Hoult definitely made the role his own. His character probably has the most compelling arc in the film — he goes from bad to worse and, in doing so, really brings out the goodness in Superman and his allies, the Justice Gang, headed up by their self-proclaimed leader, Green Lantern. It just works. Meet the Justice Gang One of the best parts of this film is how James Gunn slowly introduces more characters from the DC Universe — not just as cameos, but as actual parts of the story. We get the formation of what some fans are calling the Justice Gang, with appearances from: Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner / Green Lantern Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho Skyler Gisondo as a perfectly awkward and hilarious Jimmy Olsen Wendell Pierce as the no-nonsense Perry White And the scene-stealing Krypto the Superdog, modeled after Gunn’s chaotic real-life pup Other cast members include María Gabriela de Faría, Sara Sampaio, Alan Tudyk, Frank Grillo, Bradley Cooper, Angela Sarafyan, Sean Gunn, Christopher McDonald, Beck Bennett, and many more. Oh, and keep an eye out for two uncredited surprises: John Cena as Peacemaker and Milly Alcock as Supergirl. That James Gunn Style If you’ve seen Guardians of the Galaxy, you’ll recognize James Gunn’s fingerprints all over this movie. From the vibrant visuals to the killer soundtrack, the film flows with energy. Music plays a big role — especially during fight sequences — giving the whole thing a slightly offbeat but heartfelt rhythm. One standout scene features Mr. Terrific and Lois Lane in a creative, action-packed sequence set to music. It put a big smile on my face. Total Gunn move — and it worked. Superman’s fight scenes highlight his power, vulnerability, morality, and courage. The flying and fighting sequences are very emblematic of Superman comics and past films. He’s faster than a speeding bullet — like when he jumps in front of nearly two dozen tall helium tanks about to strike a young girl. Stronger than a locomotive — like when he keeps a fire-breathing alien monster the size of a skyscraper from crushing nearby buildings, redirecting its descent safely into a city park. Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound — like in his aerial battle against the powerful Ultraman Campy? A Little. Fun? Absolutely. Is the movie a little campy? Yeah, at times. But that’s part of its charm. It leans into the classic Superman idealism without being cheesy. It walks a fine line between grounded storytelling and comic-book spectacle — and for the most part, it gets it right. Would I bring my young son to see it? Probably not just yet — some moments are intense. But for teens and adults, it’s a fun, heartfelt, and surprisingly thoughtful superhero movie A Biblical Lens on Superman Now here’s where I get a little personal. As someone who views the world through a biblical lens, I often find myself looking for redemptive threads or gospel parallels in story arcs — and Superman’s story has always had that kind of undertone. James Gunn even acknowledged this in interviews, referring to Superman as an immigrant from another world. And it’s true — Superman isn’t from this world. He was sent here to protect and save people. That reminds me of something deeper. In Philippians 3:20, the Apostle Paul writes: “Our citizenship is in heaven.” As believers in Jesus, we too are foreigners in this world — sent here for a purpose. Even Superman’s origin reflects that idea: Jor-El and Lara sending their son to Earth to give the world hope. That sounds an awful lot like John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” Now, I’m not saying Superman is Jesus — not even close. But stories like this remind us of something bigger: a world in need of saving, and the hope that someone was sent to do just that. Final Verdict: See It So yeah — I thought Superman (2025) was a blast. It’s fun, fast-paced, heartfelt, and had just enough meaning beneath the surface to make it memorable. There’s so much more I could say about the film, but whether you’re a longtime DC fan or just want to catch a good picture show this summer, I say check it out. Thanks for reading — and Have a SUPER day. Review by: Michael Taylor Image ourtesy of Warner Bros – © Warner Bros.
