Superman made his very first Comic Book appearance in the series Action Comics in Issue #1 of the series, published on April 18th, 1938. Two years following, the character was adapted for radio, airing from 1940-1951 (2,088 episodes). Paramount Studios produced a cartoon series that aired in movie theaters from 1941-1943, and the character was incarnated again in a Broadway Musical: It’s a Bird…It’s a Plane…It’s Superman in 1966, featuring music and lyrics by Charles Strouse and Lee Adams, the team behind Bye Bye Birdie. (Strouse also wrote the music for Annie (1977).) The superhero was finally given the live-action treatment in Superman (1978), starring Christopher Reeve, and spawning three sequels. Nearly five decades after Christopher Reeve first wore the iconic red-and-blue suit, David Corenswet dons it in James Gunn’s new film Superman (2025). Here are my thoughts:
David Corenswet re-defines “Superman” in his performance. Instead of playing him as all-macho, he brings out the “human” side of Superman, playing him as more of “Average Joe,” a person who is not-at-all perfect, but always does the best he can. The Superman embraces success with failures, gives love, and hopes that he’ll be loved in return. Corenswet brought qualities more typical of a Tom Hanks and/or James Stewart character.
Unlike previous Superman movies, James Gunn’s “Superman,” has a surprisingly powerful message of what it means to be human: When we rely on technology too much and allow ourselves to becomes slaves to it, we can allow technology to convince us that we’re not good enough or that we’re never going to be good enough. But, when we pay attention to what’s real, and the friends and/or family that we love, it can inspire each of us to wake up every morning, always try to do the best we can, embrace joy with pain—and along the way, know that we are loved. In other words, in life all you have to be is yourself, and that’s good enough.
“Superman,” features the tip-top cast of David Corenswet as Superman and his alter-ego, Clark Kent, and Emmy Winner Rachel Brosnahan as his love interest, Lois Lane. Additional cast includes Nicholas Hoult as Superman’s ruthless enemy Lex Luthor, and Bradley Cooper and Angela Sarafyan as Superman’s Kryptonian parents. The film was written and directed by James Gunn who also wrote and directed Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy (2014-2023) franchise. The film’s Cinematography was done by Henry Braham, who did the Cinematography on “Guardians 2 (2017) and 3 (2023)”, and the film’s music was composed by David Fleming and John Murphy. (Murphy also composed the music for “Guardians 3 (2023).”)
All in all James Gunn’s “Superman” is the best superhero movie we’ve had in a really long time. It has something for everyone to enjoy: great cast, breathtaking cinematography, stunning special effects, and an inspiring message. You don’t have to be a fan of the Superman character to enjoy this movie, though if you weren’t one to begin with, you likely will become one after you’ve seen it.
