Superman First Reviews: James Gunn’s DCU Reboot Soars or Stumbles? Critics Weigh In

Superman's First Reviews are flooding in, and James Gunn’s bold reboot of the DC Universe (DCU) with Superman (2025) is sparking heated debate.

Released on July 11, 2025, this film marks the first chapter of Gunn’s DCU, featuring David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor.

Critics from major trade publications have delivered a spectrum of opinions, praising the film’s vibrant comic-book charm and stellar cast while critiquing its overstuffed plot and tonal inconsistencies.

This comprehensive breakdown analyzes reviews from top outlets, highlighting key praises, criticisms, and what they mean for the DCU’s future, all based on verifiable insights from trusted sources.

Highlights of Superman First Reviews:

• Positive Reception: Critics from Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, and ScreenRant laud the film’s colorful, earnest tone and David Corenswet’s heartfelt Superman, with an 85% Rotten Tomatoes score.

• Cast Chemistry: Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane and Corenswet’s Clark Kent share “crackling” chemistry, stealing scenes with witty banter and emotional depth.

• Comic-Book Vibes: SlashFilm and IGN praise Gunn’s unapologetically silly, Silver Age-inspired approach, embracing flying dogs and kaiju battles.

• Criticisms: The Guardian and Forbes slam the cluttered narrative and tonal shifts, calling it a “generic mess” with a “soulless” Superman.

• Mixed Bag: The New York Times and Deadline note the film’s fun but flawed execution, struggling to balance spectacle with coherence.

A Vibrant, Hopeful Reboot with Heart

Variety calls Superman an “exuberant and popping reboot,” praising Corenswet’s “puppyish” yet vulnerable Superman, who radiates joy but faces real emotional stakes. The film opens with a defeated Superman in the Arctic, bruised after a fight, setting a tone of fallibility.

Gunn skips the origin story, diving into a world where metahumans like Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced) and Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi) are commonplace, allowing for a brisk pace and comic-book chaos.

The Hollywood Reporter echoes this, describing it as a “comic-book action-adventure with a warm human heart,” highlighting the “sparkling” chemistry between Corenswet and Brosnahan.

Their scenes, especially a verbal sparring match during a Lois-Clark interview, are a standout, grounding the film’s fantastical elements.ScreenRant hails Superman as a “spectacular” DCU launch, emphasizing its accessibility.

Unlike Marvel’s interconnected sagas, Gunn’s film requires no prior knowledge, making it a refreshing entry for newcomers. IGN agrees, noting that Gunn “gets what makes Superman tick,” delivering a hopeful, Silver Age-inspired hero who believes in truth, justice, and kindness, even if he’s a bit naive.

The inclusion of Krypto the Superdog, voiced by an uncredited source, adds a goofy charm, with critics like Vulture calling him a scene-stealer who underscores the film’s “wonderfully dorky” tone.

Overstuffed Plot and Tonal Wobbles

Not all reviews are glowing. The Guardian delivers a scathing take, labeling the film a “pointless franchise restarter” with a “square-faced, soulless” Superman.

Critic Peter Bradshaw argues that the cluttered backstory, involving a fictional war between Boravia and Jarhanpur, bogs down the narrative, while Corenswet’s performance lacks the depth of predecessors like Christopher Reeve.

Forbes is equally harsh, calling it a “painfully mediocre, super generic mess” that falls into superhero genre traps.

Reviewer Scott Phillips criticizes the predictable third-act calamity and lack of tension, arguing that the stakes feel hollow despite the spectacle.

Both outlets lament Gunn’s struggle to settle on a tone, veering from earnest to corny to chaotic.

IMDB’s user-contributed review is similarly critical, describing the film as a “jarring disappointment” with a “cartoonish tone” that sacrifices the grounded realism of past DC films like Man of Steel.

The review faults Corenswet’s “one-note” delivery and the garish costume design, particularly the bright trunks, which feel anachronistic in 2025. The New York Times takes a middle ground, praising Gunn’s ability to nail the “big-hearted” tone but noting that the film’s many plotlines, including Lex Luthor’s tech-billionaire schemes and a social media conspiracy, make it “lumpy and overstuffed.”

Standout Performances Amid the Chaos

The cast is a consistent highlight across reviews. Entertainment Weekly singles out Corenswet as a “marvel,” born for the role, with a performance that evokes Reeve’s sincerity while carving its own path.

Brosnahan’s Lois Lane is universally praised, with Den of Geek calling their chemistry the “best special effect” in the film.

Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor, a fascist tech mogul, earns mixed praise: Variety finds him “chilling,” while The Guardian calls him “obnoxious” rather than menacing.

Supporting players like Nathan Fillion’s Green Lantern and Anthony Carrigan’s Metamorpho add levity, though The Daily Beast’s now-deleted review criticized their inclusion as eating into Superman’s development time.

Gunn’s direction is another focal point. Cinema Debate praises his work outside his comfort zone, resulting in some of his best visuals, while Mashable calls it the “most Silver Age comic book saga ever put to screen.”

However, RogerEbert.com’s Richard Roeper finds it lacking emotional weight, likening it to a “cinematic fast-food vibe.” The film’s IMAX visuals, shot by cinematographer Henry Braham, and John Murphy’s score, incorporating John Williams’ iconic theme, are widely praised for their grandeur.

What Superman First Reviews Mean for the DCU

The polarized Superman First Reviews reflect the high stakes of Gunn’s DCU launch. With an 85% Rotten Tomatoes score based on early reviews, the film is a critical success, surpassing Man of Steel’s 56%.

Yet, the divide between those who embrace its comic-book exuberance and those who find it incoherent suggests a challenge for Gunn and co-CEO Peter Safran.

Rotten Tomatoes notes that the film’s colorful visuals and earnest tone give “plenty of reasons to be excited” about the DCU, but Deadline questions whether audiences will embrace this crowded universe after years of superhero fatigue.

Social media reactions, particularly on X, amplify this divide. Posts from @Variety and @THR highlight the film’s “thrilling start,” while earlier test screening leaks from @comicxbook claimed audiences called it “a mess,” though these remain unverified.

The film’s box office performance, following a record-breaking trailer with 250 million views in 24 hours, will be crucial. Gunn’s vision, rooted in Superman as an immigrant hero embodying kindness, aims to redefine DC after the DCEU’s struggles, but the mixed reviews suggest not everyone is sold.

Some Closing Thoughts: A Promising, If Imperfect, Start

Superman (2025) is a bold swing for James Gunn’s DCU, blending nostalgic charm with modern spectacle.

While Superman First Reviews praise its heart, cast, and comic-book fidelity, the cluttered plot and tonal shifts divide critics.

For fans craving a hopeful, fun Superman, it’s a soaring success; for those seeking narrative depth, it’s a stumble.

As the DCU’s flagship, its success hinges on whether audiences embrace its earnest chaos.

Catch Superman in theaters now and decide for yourself: does it fly or fall?