Superman First Reviews: Thematic Triumphs and Tangles in James Gunn’s 2025 DCU Reboot

Superman's First Reviews are pouring in, revealing the thematic heart of James Gunn’s Superman (2025), the inaugural film of the DC Universe (DCU) under his and Peter Safran’s leadership.

Released on July 11, 2025, this vibrant reboot stars David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor.

Critics from major trade publications highlight the film’s exploration of hope, identity, and kindness in a cynical world, alongside its embrace of comic-book silliness.

However, some fault its cluttered narrative and tonal inconsistencies. This thematic breakdown analyzes the core ideas driving Superman, drawing from verifiable reviews to unpack its strengths, struggles, and significance for the DCU.

Thematic Highlights of Superman First Reviews

• Hope and Optimism: IGN and SlashFilm praise the film’s return to a hopeful, Silver Age Superman, embodying truth, justice, and kindness as a beacon in a dark world.

• Immigrant Identity: RogerEbert.com and TheWrap emphasize Superman as an immigrant hero, grappling with his Kryptonian heritage and human upbringing, resonating with modern audiences.

• Human Vulnerability: Variety and Indiewire highlight Superman’s fallibility, showcasing his emotional and physical struggles, making him relatable despite his godlike powers.

• Comic-Book Silliness: Mashable and GeekVibesNation celebrate the film’s unapologetic embrace of absurd elements like Krypto and kaiju battles, evoking classic DC comics.

• Critiques of Overload: The Guardian and Forbes criticize the film’s overstuffed plot, diluting its thematic focus with too many characters and geopolitical subplots.

A Beacon of Hope in a Cynical World

Superman centers on hope, reintroducing a Man of Steel who believes in humanity’s potential for good. IGN describes it as a “heartfelt cinematic reset,” with Corenswet’s Superman embodying “truth, justice, and the American way” in a world questioning such ideals.

Gunn draws from Silver Age comics, crafting a hero who’s “unapologetically a beacon of hope,” per in.ign.com, avoiding the grim tone of Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel.

This optimism shines in scenes where Superman interacts with Metropolis citizens, showing his kindness as his greatest strength, as noted by Slate.

Rotten Tomatoes underscores this, calling it a “fun comic book movie with old-school charm” that promises a bright DCU future.

The film’s hopeful tone is amplified by its visual vibrancy. Consequence.net praises the “technicolor” aesthetic, with Superman’s bright suit popping against snowy backdrops, signaling a rejection of dour superhero tropes.

SlashFilm lauds its “delightfully goofy” comic-book logic, where kaiju battles and Krypto’s antics evoke the playful absurdity of vintage DC. Critics like Mashable call it the “most Silver Age comic book saga ever put to screen,” celebrating Gunn’s refusal to shy away from silliness, which reinforces the theme of joy amidst chaos.

Wrestling with Immigrant Identity

A key theme is Superman’s identity as an immigrant, navigating his Kryptonian roots and human upbringing. RogerEbert.com highlights Gunn’s focus on Superman as the “classic American immigrant story,” a Kryptonian raised by Kansas farmers, struggling to belong.

TheWrap deepens this, noting that in a world where metahumans are common, Superman’s uniqueness lies in his selfless values, challenging corrupt billionaires like Lex Luthor.

The film opens with a defeated Superman in the Arctic, questioning his role after intervening in a fictional war between Boravia and Jarhanpur, a choice that sparks global suspicion, per Empire.

This immigrant narrative resonates with modern issues. Indiewire frames Superman as an “undocumented immigrant” scapegoated for America’s problems, with Luthor accusing him of “grooming” humanity, a nod to real-world xenophobia.

Deadline calls it the “most political Superman,” reflecting a world needing hope against divisive figures like Luthor, likened to Elon Musk or Donald Trump. However, TheWrap critiques Gunn’s handling, noting that the anti-isolationist message veers into “white savior territory,” undermining its intent.

Human Vulnerability and Connection

Gunn redefines Superman by emphasizing his vulnerability, both emotional and physical. Variety praises Corenswet’s “puppyish” Superman, radiating joy but far from invincible, as seen in his Arctic defeat and Krypto’s chaotic rescue.

Indiewire notes that his “lack of cynicism” is both his strength and weakness, making his goodness alien in a cynical world. This vulnerability shines in his relationship with Lois Lane. Den of Geek calls their chemistry the film’s “best special effect,” with scenes like a screwball-comedy-style interview showcasing Clark’s awkwardness and Lois’s sharp wit.

ScreenRant emphasizes the theme of identity, with Superman wrestling with how others—parents, social media, or Lois—shape his self-perception. The Hollywood Reporter praises the “warm human heart” in these moments, grounding the film’s spectacle.

Yet, The Guardian argues that Corenswet’s “square-faced soullessness” and the cluttered backstory hinder emotional depth, leaving Superman’s crisis of confidence unconvincing.

Overstuffed Narrative and Tonal Challenges

While the film’s themes are bold, critics like Forbes and The New York Times argue that its overcrowded plot dilutes their impact.

Forbes calls it a “painfully mediocre, super generic mess,” with subplots like Luthor’s monkey-run social media propaganda and the Justice Gang’s banter feeling derivative.

The Guardian slams the “pointless” Boravia-Jarhanpur war as a contrived backdrop, bogged down by intertitles and lacking political nuance. Empire notes that starting in medias res leaves audiences disoriented, caring about a war without context.

Tonal inconsistencies also draw fire. Indiewire faults the film’s oscillation between earnestness and irreverence, with Luthor’s absurd monkey bots clashing with serious immigrant themes.

RogerEbert.com likens it to a “cinematic fast-food vibe,” enjoyable but lacking emotional weight due to its reliance on CGI mayhem and cameos. The Daily Beast’s deleted review (cited by Hindustan Times) called it the “final nail in superhero cinema’s coffin,” criticizing the over-the-top CGI and underdeveloped protagonist.

Some Closing Thoughts: A Promising Foundation for the DCU

Superman First Reviews reveal a film that soars with hope, immigrant identity, and human vulnerability, grounded by a stellar cast and comic-book charm.

Collider calls it a “delightful, fun, and clever take,” dismantling notions of an infallible Superman. Yet, its thematic ambitions are hampered by an overstuffed narrative and tonal wobbles, as The Guardian and Forbes note. With an 86% Rotten Tomatoes score and a 71% Metacritic rating, it’s a critical hit but not a masterpiece.

As the DCU’s launchpad, Superman sets a vibrant tone, but its success depends on whether audiences embrace its earnest chaos. See it in theaters and decide if it flies.