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Superman has soared at the box office, smashing expectations and giving the DC Universe a renewed vigor. We saw the film early and while it was the fun, comic-book style thrill ride we thought it would be, we definitely had some thoughts. But one-sided reviews are so passé. So we asked the friends of NerdNet to give their opinion of James Gunn’s first film in what will hopefully be the first of an incredible run for the DCU (and 2025 blockbuster season). Here’s what they liked, what they didn’t and we’ll do our very best to give you the general consensus (if there is one).
Spoilers Ahead
Over all I enjoyed it a lot. a 4/5 for me. A wonderful start to the DCU. –Matt M.
What I like: I really liked the color grading and brightness. I enjoyed the goodness and goofiness of Superman himself. I liked the theme that his earthly parents taught him well and a good person was who he was regardless of his Kryptonian parents message. (I still think the message was tampered with by Zod or Bizzaro) I liked Krypto.
Things I didn’t like as much: I thought the pace was almost too fast and parts could have breathed a little more. I think it could have been a good 15 minutes longer to help us know certain characters better. I think that may have helped there feel like we cared more about the peril of certain characters. I wish there was more of a feeling of Superman saving the day. Originally I thought Superman was getting beat up the whole time but really he was only beat up by his clone (ultra man) and he was incapacitated by the kryptonite. –Matt M.
I loved it! –Tony V.
What I like: I love that it wasn’t the usual “start at the beginning when he was a baby” storyline. We were thrown right into the action.
What I didn’t like: There was no Batman *sad face. Honestly there isn’t anything to complain about. –Tony V.
Overall, I enjoyed the film and would rate it at 6/10. –Gira B.
What I liked: The casting was great! Every actor did a fantastic job bringing their character to life. David Corenswet had huge shoes to fill, and I don’t think anyone could have done a better job. Rachel Brosnahan also did a great job balancing out the brains and toughness of Lois Lane without being obnoxious or too “girl-bossy.” I loved the dynamic between the two main stars, and I would have liked to see more of them. Most of the supporting cast was excellent as well, notably Nathon Fillion (as always) and Edi Gathegi.
What I didn’t like were three main things. Firstly, this movie had way too many characters. It would have been a better movie if they left out the Justice Gang and the annoying and dumb dog. Secondly, the whole sequence in the prison was unnecessary and did not add to the story at all. It should have been cut. Lastly, Lex Luthor should have had more development and we should have seen more of this motivation. He explained his motivation in words at the end, but it was quite weak and unconvincing. That being said, Nicholas Hoult did a great job with what he had to work with, I just wish it was more. –Gira B.
It felt too overly optimistic to me, but I guess that’s what happens when you watch Superman. –Jo G.
What I liked: I thought it was funny without being overly cheesy or kinda stupid like other superhero movies have been; genuinely funny. I was happy it gave a quick summary in the beginning instead of some silly growing up montage. I thought the story and characters were more interesting and engaging than other super hero movies. Oh, also the dog and the constant remixes of the superman theme.
What I didn’t like: It could have been shorter. It felt too overly optimistic to me, but I guess that’s what happens when you watch Superman. The credit scenes were pointless and added nothing. –Jo G.
His [Superman’s] kindness saves him in the end, and I think a lot of us needed to see something like that right now. –Steve K.
What I liked: I loved this movie. This take on Krypto was so delightful, and the human cast was also great. Clark encounters reasons to be bitter, to question his identity, but he chooses to remain kind. His kindness saves him in the end, and I think a lot of us needed to see something like that right now.
What I didn’t like: It’s not deep, and that’s great for a Superman movie — but then why make it 2 hours long? They could have trimmed a bit from most of the scenes and the whole film would have really benefitted. Save more for the extended cut 😂. The character arcs could have been a bit more dynamic, but I’m OK if they’ve saved that for the sequel. – Steve K.
I didn’t care about any of the characters. –Josh M.
What I liked: It was visually stunning and Krypto is probably the most convincing CG dog ever put on film (it was an actual dog that was motion captured). There were genuinely likable characters (Mr. Terrific) and funny dialogue without being cheesy. I really appreciated the move to get right to the action and not tell backstories. After 10 or 20 years of DCU and MCU world building I’m over it. Jimmy Olsen had some of the funniest moments.
What I didn’t like: I didn’t care about any of the characters probably because of the lack of backstory and character development. It’s still a great movie and that’s quite an achievement without any emotional connection. Nicholas Hault’s Lex Luther wasn’t terribly convincing as a super genius. –Josh M.
After reading the reviews, it’s clear that most viewers found the new Superman film enjoyable and refreshingly optimistic, with standout performances—especially from David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan—and a well-received portrayal of Krypto. Many praised the film for skipping the overdone origin story and diving straight into the action, with a tone that balanced humor, heart, and hope. Common criticisms include a rushed pace, too many characters, underdeveloped villains (especially Lex Luthor), and scenes that felt unnecessary or overly long. Despite its flaws, the movie’s themes of kindness and moral integrity resonated strongly with audiences, making it a promising start to the new DCU.
NerdScore
8.0/10
Superman (2025) Review
James Gunn’s Superman revitalizes the Man of Steel with warmth, optimism, and heart, even if its uneven pacing and familiar beats keep it from soaring to absolute greatness.
The first film in DC Studios’ new era reintroduces Clark Kent as both reporter and hero, balancing his small-town roots with his cosmic destiny in a hopeful reimagining of Superman for a new generation.
IMDb
7.3/10
Metacritic
68/100
Rotten Tomatoes
83%