Superman! Some would say that this character is the epitome of superheroes and comics, and it is hard to deny that thought. The character created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster has transcended the pages of DC Comics and has been a pioneer in pop culture with one of his most pivotal mediums being none other than cinema. From “Superman: The Movie” to “Man of Steel”, this icon has continued to shape not just superhero movies, but has also gone on to define what it means to be a blockbuster movie, So when filmmaker James Gunn announced that he would be creating a new cinematic universe, it only made sense that the Man of Tomorrow would be at the forefront of this new endeavor. As the DC Extended Universe came to a close and other projects wrapped, it was time to start a new age of heroes and it would begin with a film that was originally titled “Superman: Legacy”, but eventually would just be known as “Superman”.

Directed by Gunn himself, the movie focuses on Superman (David Corenswet) who must stop the latest scheme of Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) while coming to terms with both his heritage and his humanity. Ideas for a new Superman movie have been bounced around over the years with several filmmakers throwing out concepts However it was James Gunn who ultimately came up with the idea of taking the character back to his roots and using various sources of inspiration to bring this version of Superman to life.

Superman serves as the beginning of DCU’s first chapter known as Gods and Monsters, and sets the stage of this new cinematic universe. Between establishing this new universe and being the first Superman film in years, there was a lot to be excited about when it came to Superman. Yet could it live up to the hype? After experiencing the latest DC film, I believe Superman not only lived up to its potential, but brought something refreshing to the superhero genre.

The movie had a task at hand as it had to establish this new world while telling a Superman story, and I felt the film accomplished both of these goals. While the story’s direction could be off putting at first, especially since it throws you right into the conflict, eventually I found the story’s structure to be both unique and engaging. Along with its captivating sense of storytelling was the plot’s worldbuilding. It takes no time to comprehend that this world was different and I could not help but be engaged by this realm of superheroes. Yet, at its core, this plot was character-driven as the story of Superman was adventurous, sincere and everything one may expect from a superhero story.

However a superhero story is only as good as its main hero, and David Corenswet had much to live up to in his portrayal as the Man of Steel. Fortunately the actor was up to the task as his portrayal of Superman may be one of the most authentic takes on the icon. Corenswet’s performance captured the best elements of his predecessors while giving his own spin on the character. Yet perhaps the most captivating aspect of this portrayal was the simple characteristics Superman displayed. From his mannerisms to his lack of cursing, this take on Superman was refreshing and showed that this hero is as relevant as ever.

Along with the strong portrayal of Superman, there was a fantastic ensemble of characters in the film. Leading this cast was of course Superman’s significant other Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan). Much like David’s Superman, Rachel’s take on the famed reporter was solid and it was refreshing to see her interact with various characters in the DCU. As for the supporting cast, each character had time to shine whether it was Jimmy Olsen (Skyler Gisondo), Perry White (Wendell Pierce), the Engineer (Maria Gabriela de Faria), or even brief appearances from characters such as the Kents (Pruitt Taylor Vince and Neva Howell). When it came to representing the DCU, the film featured several heroes that made great additions to the cast. The most notable of these additions were Mr. Terrific (Eli Gathegi) and Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion) who were solid in their respective roles.. Last and certainly not least is Superman’s arch nemesis Lex Luthor. Lex is one of the most notorious supervillains of all time, and this film definitely did the character justice. Lex was as clever as he was despicable and Nicolas Hoult’s performance relished in every aspect of this iconic villain. Along with some surprise appearances, enjoyable robots and of course Krypto the Superdog, this film featured a true superhero ensemble that captured the magic behind this genre.

The Superman films have pushed the boundaries of filmmaking with their concepts of flying and super-powered heroics. It is pleasing to see that not only did this film live up to the series’ sense of spectacle, but excelled in this area. The flight sequences were simply marvelous while the action captured the imagination of what superhero battles can be. Aiding in both elements was the film’s keen camerawork as well as the cinematography which gave the movie a look that was fitting for the comic book it was creating. Along with the grandiose elements was the music by John Murphy and David Fleming. Truth be told, I was apprehensive about the soundtrack as it incorporated the “Superman March” by John Williams into the score; and while the track is iconic I felt it could take away from the film’s identity.I was pleased to be proven wrong as the score not only utilized Williams’ music in a unique way but also crafted dynamic tracks that captured the essence behind superheroes and blockbusters.

“Superman” is a bold new chapter for DC Films. While the film could be alarming in its sense of direction, it overcame any shortcomings with its adventurous storytelling, phenomenal cast and wonderful presentation. As this chapter of Gods and Monsters begins, it is clear that the DCU is off to a strong start as “Superman” is a film worthy of its name; not to mention a fantastic blockbuster for the summer and the year 2025.