Superman
Apple Cinema
Hartford
July 12, 2025
This past weekend saw one of the year’s most anticipated movies hit theaters, as James Gunn of Guardians of the Galaxy fame gives the world his take on Superman. In the words of my brother, he “Gunned” it, in the very best sense of the word.
I admit that I was a bit skeptical after seeing the trailers leading up to this weekend. We see Krypto, Green Lantern, Mr. Terrific, Lex Luthor, Lois Lane, and various other characters. I was afraid that we were going to be in for one of those “stage setting” films that hurriedly introduce a bunch of characters in service of an expanded universe, and that the film would suffer as a result.
Yes, a bunch of characters are introduced with little fanfare, but they all fit perfectly into the story that Gunn is telling. Nathan Fillion can basically do no wrong. His turn as Green Lantern is both impressively realized and genuinely funny. Another great side character is Eve Teschmacher, played with bubbly enthusiasm by Sara Sampaio.
The highlight of the supporting cast is Edi Gathegi, who gets long overdue redemption for the way his character was treated in X‑Men: First Class. Gathegi plays Mr. Terrific, a mega-genius who can use his computers to solve almost every problem. Gathegi is clearly enjoying his star turn in “Superman,” and manages to steal every scene that he’s in.
But, at the end of the day, this is a Superman movie, and it rises and falls on the broad shoulders of its star, David Corenswet. I’m happy to report that Corenswet is more than up to the task. First of all, he has the look. Again, from the trailer I was unsure, but on the big screen, he channels the physicality of Henry Cavill and the charisma of Christopher Reeves.
He also has the “spark” — an intangible quality that embodies what Superman is all about. It’s a mix of optimism, courage, humor, and uprightness that makes the Man of Steel such an endearing character. I’m glad that Superman’s parents were played by lesser0known actors (Pruitt Taylor Vince and Neva Howell), because it drove home the idea that Superman is really Clark Kent, a yokel from Nowhere, USA, who has decided to do good because it’s the right thing to do.
Superman is nothing without his foil, though. Nicholas Hoult nails it as Lex Luthor. Not only is he believable as a man who has all the answers to every problem, but Hoult spits fire every time he even mentions Superman’s name. He spells out why he hates the Kryptonian in a few key monologues. The monologues are neither overwrought nor corny. He hates Superman, and Hoult plays it straight to the core of envy, jealousy and rage.
I could go on about this movie, but there are some genuine surprises that shouldn’t be spoiled. After an eight0year hiatus from the big screen (not counting the re-release of Justice League in 2021), Superman has returned with all of the qualities that define him. I’ve been somewhat down on superhero movies for a few years now, but “Superman” shows that the genre still has so much to offer when the material is handled with care and love. I can’t wait to go back to theaters to watch it again.
NEXTSuperman is in theaters now.
Jamil heads to the Wadsworth to check out their newest exhibit.
