★★★★ out of 5 -- Rated: PG-13 -- Run time: 2 hours, 10 minutes
After seeing what I thought was a weak, disappointing preview trailer for the new “Superman” movie, my expectations were very low.
The superhero came across as angry and argumentative, with a funky hairstyle that screamed, “Sorry, our toupee budget was cut!”
I wondered if Hollywood could ever get it right after two (out of four) rousing and entertaining “Superman” movies with Christopher Reeve.
The ones with Henry Cavill — especially 2013’s “Man of Steel” — were less than memorable, with little heart and seemingly endless fight scenes that became boring.
One hopeful sign with this new 2025 version of “Superman” is that it was written and directed by “Guardians of the Galaxy” filmmaker James Gunn, who has a proven track record.
I took my seat at an advance screening, started counting the number of people coming in wearing T-shirts with a big “S” on the front (there were a lot), and crossed my fingers that this wouldn’t be a dud.
An early positive sign: Gunn elected not to make this an origin story that traces how Superman came to Earth from a dying planet. There are a few written lines of explanation in the opening moments, and then we’re right into it — with the Man of Steel having just been on the receiving end of a big beating.
It’s our first look at 32-year-old David Corenswet (“The Politician,” “Twisters”) as the superhero/Clark Kent, and he looks fine — not as big and buff as Reeve or Cavill, but looking perfectly acceptable wearing the latest, slightly reimagined version of the Superman tights.
Another positive sign: The addition of Krypto, the superhero’s scene-stealing dog who has his own superpowers and a very independent streak.
The mainstay characters are quickly introduced. There’s enterprising Daily Planet reporter Lois Lane, very well-played by Rachel Brosnahan from “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.”
Fellow newsroom colleague Jimmy Olsen (Skyler Gisondo from “Booksmart”) doesn’t seem to have a camera anymore but enjoys his own inexplicable superpower: attracting women.
And, of course, there’s editor Perry White, played by the always dependable Wendell Pierce (“The Wire” and “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan”).
Every Superman needs a good Lex Luthor to go against, and Gunn found a great one with Nicholas Hoult (various “X-Men” movies), who plays the role less as a comic-book villain and instead with a harder — and more effective — darker edge.
The writer/director also populated the film with an abundance of very strong supporting characters.
There’s the Justice Gang, a sort of corporate-sponsored group of heroes that includes the wonderful Edi Gathegi (“The Blacklist” and “For All Mankind”) as “Mr. Terrific” — a somewhat sarcastic and tough-talking hero who proves vital when Superman gets into big trouble.
Also notable: Venezuelan actress Maria Gabriela de Faria as Lex’s deadly henchwoman, “The Engineer,” and former Victoria’s Secret model Sara Sampaio as Luther’s hilariously needy girlfriend.
The film moves along at a good pace and is... OK, but not exceptional... until the halfway point when the story really shifts into a higher, emotional gear when Superman is imprisoned and his pals work desperately to get him freed.
Some really good characters drift in and out of the story, boosted by some fantastic action. And again, Krypto the Superdog is just great.
The big problem I had with “Man of Steel” was a series of endless fight scenes where Superman would smash the villain into a big building, and then the bad guy would do the same to Superman, and… repeat... over and over.
Director Gunn has re-invented a number of the fight scenes to give them an entirely new look. One in particular is a battle where Mr. Terrific creates a clear protective bubble around Lois Lane while he dispatches attacking bad guys. The entire scene is shot from her viewpoint, and it’s very original.
Superman’s flying sequences also have a refreshing new perspective that feels more natural and less like a guy suspended by wires.
Gunn also has included a lot of little nods to past Superman films. The title credits are very similar to those used in the first Christopher Reeve movie. And in a snowy scene, Lex’s girlfriend wears an over-the-top winter outfit that looks very much like the one worn by Valerie Perrine when she played the same character during the Reeve era.
The verdict? I think Gunn has reinvigorated the franchise.
Corenswet plays Superman as a more vulnerable, self-examining superhero who can still get the job done. He has put his own spin on the character, and I look forward to seeing more in this new Superman series.
And by the way, do stick around till the end of the credits.