I still can’t believe we’re finally here, Superman has arrived in theaters. This movie is one I’ve followed from the moment it was announced: the leaks, the casting rumors, the on-set photos… all of it. And now that I’ve seen it, I’m ready to say something I never thought I would years ago:
I believe in Superman.
But to understand why this new film meant so much to me, we need to go back to where it all started: Man of Steel.
The Movie That Made Me a Fan
Growing up, I never really connected with Superman. I was a Batman kid. The cape, the gadgets, the brooding, that was my hero. Superman, on the other hand, always felt… a little too clean. Too powerful. Too goody two-shoes. He felt untouchable and, to me, unrelatable.
Then Man of Steel hit theaters.
Zack Snyder’s vision came at exactly the right time in my life. It was grounded in action, grit, and heart and Henry Cavill gave me a Superman I could actually root for. That movie became my gateway into the character. I know it’s a divisive film, and I understand the criticisms now more than I did back then, especially when comparing it to traditional portrayals. But for me? Man of Steel lit the spark.
And Hans Zimmer’s score? Don’t even get me started. Perfection.
The Superman We Needed
Fast forward to now with James Gunn’s Superman finally here, I had one big question on my mind:
Was all the rebooting and restructuring worth it?
Spoiler-free answer: absolutely yes.
This movie delivers from start to finish. It moves fast. Like really fast. There’s no hand-holding, no heavy exposition. You’re dropped straight into the world, and you’re expected to keep up. And that’s part of the magic. The pace never lets up, but it never feels rushed either. It’s tight, focused, and surprisingly heartfelt.
A Cast of Characters (and One Dog)
There are a lot of characters in this film. Heroes, villains, civilians and somehow the movie balances most of them well. Some don’t get quite enough screen time (looking at you, Hawk Girl), but every single one makes an impression. It’s a tight two-hour runtime, which means a lot of personalities and powers fly by, but it still works.
That said, I would have loved more time with just about everyone and that’s not a complaint, it’s a compliment.
David Corenswet Is Superman
I’ll admit: I was a huge Henry Cavill fan. His Superman made me care. So I was nervous going into this, I mean could anyone really fill those boots?
David Corenswet didn’t just fill them he owns them.
His Superman is confident, compassionate, and layered. And his Clark Kent? I just wish we saw more of that persona. The movie hints at the challenge of balancing superhero duties with everyday life at the Daily Planet — and I hope the sequel dives deeper into that duality.
But what really stood out was how real he made Superman feel. There’s a vulnerability and isolation that mirrors what Peter Parker goes through in Spider-Man 2. And Corenswet sells it. The doubts, the burdens, the loneliness of being the only one of your kind… it hit hard.
Lois Lane Finally Gets Her Due
Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane is everything I’ve wanted from the character for years. She’s strong, capable, driven and she doesn’t spend the whole movie waiting to be saved. In fact, she’s the one doing a lot of the saving.
Whether she’s working alongside Mr. Terrific or pushing Clark to be his best self, she’s a true partner. And her chemistry with Corenswet? Absolutely electric. You can tell James Gunn saw the spark during auditions and knew they were the perfect duo.
The Lex Luthor We Deserve
Let’s talk about Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor.
This dude is a menace. He’s intelligent, obsessive, and just completely unhinged. His descent into villainy is chilling — and it only escalates as the movie goes on. And the best part? It’s not over-the-top comic book evil. It’s calculated, terrifying ambition.
Right out of the gate, DC has given us one of the most memorable villains in years. Hoult’s Lex is the kind of character who will be iconic ten years from now — and a perfect foil for this Superman moving forward.
Justice Gang Potential
The supporting heroes introduced here Hawk Girl, Guy Gardner, and Mr. Terrific all bring flavor, tension, and energy to the world. Mr. Terrific in particular stood out for me. He’s clever, capable, and just mysterious enough to leave you wanting more. The T-spheres alone deserve their own spin-off.
Even though we don’t get tons of backstory, the movie gives you just enough to be curious about everyone. This is what smart world-building looks like: give the audience a taste, and they’ll show up hungry for more in the next movie or show.
Krypto: The MVP Pup
I was worried Krypto the Superdog would be overused for easy crowd-pleasing, but nope. He’s used sparingly, and every scene he’s in is a total delight. Playful, strong, chaotic, and loyal, he’s basically every dog you’ve ever loved… just with superpowers.
And yes, he totally bodychecks Superman on the regular. That alone is worth the price of admission.
A Universe Worth Exploring
What I loved most about Superman, beyond the action and heart, was the world-building. It doesn’t explain everything. It doesn’t give every character an origin. Instead, it trusts the audience to connect the dots and stay curious.
We don’t need to be spoon-fed every detail. James Gunn lets us live in the story, feel the scope, and want more. That’s how you build a cinematic universe people care about.
Final Thoughts
I walked into Man of Steel unsure about Superman. I walked out a fan.
I walked into Superman with high expectations. I walked out a believer.
This new version of Superman balances humor, action, and real emotional weight. It’s not perfect with some convenient plot points, some underdeveloped side characters, but none of that took away from what this film accomplishes.
It reminded me why we need Superman.
If Man of Steel made me a fan, Superman made me believe.
