‘Unapologetically silly’: Early reviews are in for new Superman movie

One of 2025’s most highly anticipated movies has finally been released, and the reviews are rolling in.

After many months of suspense, Warner Bros’ Pictures Superman has finally been released, and reactions are rolling in.

After all, it’s one of 2025’s most highly anticipated films, and it’s under a lot of pressure with the superhero genre taking a bit of a dip in recent years.

Not only is it the first film in the revamped DC universe, but its success could shape the future of the entire franchise.

Director James Gunn, the man behind the Guardians of the Galaxy and mastermind of the new DC universe, is behind the 2025 film, which stars David Corenswet as the titular Superman.

Also on the cast is Rachel Brosnahan playing Lois Lane, Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Aussie actress Milly Alcock as Supergirl, and Bradley Cooper as Jor-El, Superman’s dad.

A scene from the Superman film. Picture: Supplied

It’s the first Superman film in over a decade since Man of Steel, which was released in 2013 and starred Henry Cavill as Superman.

The new Superman film has some big shoes to fill after its predecessor made a cool $670 million internationally, despite some mixed reviews.

So how does the new film stack up? Social reactions online from press and fans have started flooding in, and people so far seem to generally be in agreement that the film is one worth seeing.

“Superman is great,” Brian Hiatt of Rolling Stone wrote. “It’s the most comic book-y superhero movie ever made, probably closest in tone to the Raimi Spider-Man movies but far more fantastical. That leaked review is gonna end up as a major outlier.”

Slashfilm’s Chris Evangelista commented: “Gosh, I absolutely loved this. James Gunn’s feature-length comic book splash page is so unapologetically silly, earnest, and intentionally corny that it utterly charmed me. Left a big, stupid smile on my face by the end.”

Screenrant’s Molly Freeman said: “James Gunn’s Superman is GREAT from start to finish — just a fun-filled, action-packed, quintessential summer blockbuster. It’s the shot of adrenaline the superhero movie genre needs. Also, Krypto is THE BEST dog.”

David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan at the Los Angeles Premiere of Superman. Picture: Maya Dehlin Spach/Getty Images

Courtney Howard of The Av Club posted: “Superman absolutely soars! An awesome achievement & hopeful balm, honouring past iterations (cinema & comics) while cutting its own path. Corenswet has that heroic shimmer. Hoult is delightfully diabolical. Brosnahan brims w/ vim & vigour. Krypto’s adorbs.”

Showbiz 411’s Roger Friedman added: “Superman really fun, not political at all. Corenswet and Brosnahan have terrific chemistry. Lots of fun with Krypto the dog. Nicholas Hoult is a top notch scene chewer. Loved the fortress of solitude. A relief from past DC operas. Past few Superman movies I dreaded they were so serious. This makes you feel like you’re enjoying a comic book. Kudos to James Gunn. Again. Nothing woke no politics. But Superman confronts his origin story in a successful way.”

With an 87 per cent “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it looks as though Superman is a hit with the critics.

Not everyone was happy with the result though.

The Daily Beast’s Nick Schager commented: “Superman doesn’t skimp on the high-flying action, to a fault; the film is so awash in over-the-top CGI insanity that its slam-bang mayhem loses its punch.“

CBC News’ Jackson Weaver added that “Superman is less for 14- or 40-year-olds, but instead, splits the difference. It’s a perfect shooting strategy — if you want to hit nothing.”

It’s a tough path for Superman to walk, having now come after 36 films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the eighth Superman movie with the fourth actor playing the role since Christopher Reeve in 1978’s Superman.

James Gunn doesn’t appear to be worried. Photo: Jessica Miglio/Warner Bros. Pictures via AP

Speaking with GQ, Corenswet revealed, “With a great character like Superman, you want great artists and writers and actors to explore all of the possibilities of them. The one way they become boring is if you just keep doing the same thing over and over again.”

But director and DC Studios boss James Gunn believes the film will be less of a risk than it seems for the wannabe universe, despite having cost $US225 million ($A344m).

“Is there something riding on it? Yeah, but it’s not as big as people make it out to be,” Gunn said to GQ.

“They hear these numbers that the movie’s only going to be successful if it makes $700 million ($A1.1bn) or something and it’s just complete and utter nonsense. It doesn’t need to be as big of a situation as people are saying.”