Superman first review OUT: ‘Spectacle Over Story’? James Gunn’s take splits critics; David Corenswet impresses
Early reactions to James Gunn’s Superman praise its bold take and performances, especially David Corenswet’s. Some critics, however, find faults in storytelling and overuse of effects.
Last Updated: 12.59 PM, Jul 08, 2025
With the formal lifting of the social media embargo, cinema critics and entertainment journalists have begun to respond to James Gunn's Superman in a deluge of early reviews. Much is riding on the Warner Bros. tentpole, which is the first big release from the recently revamped DC Universe under Gunn and co-chair Peter Safran. What does the majority of the film critics think? The reviews are a mix of optimism, praise, and a few disappointments.
Bold yet faithful adaptation
Film critic Bryan Sudfield praised it for successfully blending tradition with new ideas. He lauded Gunn's direction for the studio's future work and called Superman "a bold yet faithful" adaptation of the DC Comics staple.
"A daring yet faithful take on the iconic hero—Superman soars with heart, humour, and style," Sudfield said on X. He added that David Corenswet's authenticity and power are on full display, and James Gunn introduces a new tone while paying homage to the character's history. An exciting new era begins for DC.
Lead pair's chemistry
Entertainment critic Brandon Davis agreed with others who have praised David Corenswet for his performance as Superman. Davis also emphasised the chemistry between Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan, who portrays Lois Lane. With "sincerity, heroism, purity, and inspirational traits," Davis gushed about David Corenswet's portrayal of Superman.
But not everyone was convinced by Gunn's vision. Critic Peter Howell was not happy with the way the film turned out, saying that it relied too much on special effects.
Praises visuals but slams characterisation
While Howell praised Gunn for his ability to create fantastic worlds and awe-inspiring spectacles, he also criticised his storytelling skills. He also wrote that Corenswet would be more suited to the role of lead in a Dudley Do-Right film than he is here playing Superman, who is overly innocent and clumsily punished. Lane, played by Brosnahan, has a fiery personality, while Lex Luthor, played by Nicholas Hoult, is more annoying than evil. In his opinion, superdog Krypto should be the main attraction; he absolutely dominates every scene in which he appears.
In addition to Skyler Gisondo and Anthony Carrigan, the cast also features Edi Gathegi and Nathan Fillion, who play Mister Terrific and Lex Luthor, respectively, and Isabela Merced, who plays Hawkgirl. Gunn recently revealed some of the film's core themes, but Warner Bros. has remained silent about the narrative.
James Gunn explores political and ethical themes
According to Gunn's interview with The Sunday Times, Superman encapsulates the American experience. For him, the story mostly serves as a reminder that fundamental human compassion is a valuable quality that they seem to have lost, as told via the perspective of an immigrant who arrived from another country and filled the country. He shared that, in fact, it is a political issue; on a deeper level, however, it concerns ethics. The filmmaker added that Superman thinks one should never kill, while Lois thinks it's important to strike a balance. The story revolves around their relationship and how their divergent views on fundamental moral principles can create tension between them.
Superman is flying into a new chapter for the DC Universe and is sure to spark lots of talk, with comments ranging from excited to dubious.