An Alien With More Humanity

PREFACE

Let’s be honest—Superman has always been a tough nut to crack on screen. Too perfect, too strong, too alien. After years of dark, brooding versions of the Man of Steel, James Gunn flips the cape with Superman (2025)—a reboot that doesn’t just show us a hero who can lift mountains, but one who can carry guilt, hope, and heartbreak too. And that’s what makes it special. Directed and written by James Gunn, this fresh take launches the new DC Universe with David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane. Nicholas Hoult steps in as Lex Luthor, and oh boy—he’s chilling in the best way. But here’s the twist: this isn’t really a story about superpowers. It’s about Super Humanity.

The film skips the Krypton crash and dives into a world where Superman already exists—but not everyone trusts him. There’s fear, politics, chaos. Yet through it all, Clark doesn’t lose his heart. He saves lives not to prove anything, but because it’s simply the right thing to do. He’s not fighting to be a god. He’s fighting to be a good man. And that’s the magic here. This isn’t the Superman who towers above us like a statue. This is a guy who saves a squirrel mid-battle just because he can. Not the SUPERman, but the superMAN. That “man” part? It’s stronger than all his powers combined.

This review dives into that soul—messy, hopeful, and deeply human. Let’s go.

Not A God But a Human

In Superman (2025), James Gunn doesn’t just give us a caped savior from Krypton—he gives us a man. An outsider, yes. An alien, technically. But more human than most of the actual humans around him. Beneath the godlike strength and the flying heroics, Clark Kent breathes with emotion—raw, real, and painfully relatable. The film doesn’t shout his superpowers. It whispers his kindness. 

There’s a beautiful irony that echoes throughout the film: the alien is the one who understands humanity the most. While politicians posture, soldiers obey, and citizens turn fearful, it's Superman who chooses patience over pride, compassion over chaos. When the world points fingers at him as a potential threat, he doesn’t lash out—he listens. He steps back. He saves the same people who doubt him. Not because they deserve it, but because it’s the right thing to do.

It’s in the little moments that his humanity shines brightest. A quiet conversation with a child who just lost their parents. A lunch shared with Lois, where he doubts himself, not as a hero, but as a man who wants to do right. Or the now-famous scene where he pauses mid-fight to save a squirrel—not because it changes the tide of war, but because a life is a life. That’s not the act of a god. That’s the heart of a man. David Corenswet’s performance anchors this vision. His Superman doesn’t float above us in moral perfection—he walks among us, clumsy, awkward, unsure. But even when he’s unsure of himself, he’s sure about kindness. That’s his true strength.

In a world that glorifies strength, dominance, and invulnerability, Superman (2025) reminds us that the greatest power is empathy. And that humanity isn’t about biology or birthplace—it’s about the choices we make. Gunn doesn't just bring back Superman. He reframes him. The film’s message is subtle yet clear: the most heroic thing isn’t to be indestructible—it’s to feel deeply, love fiercely, and still stand tall when the world is against you. That’s not just Superman. That’s something we all could learn to be.

Could've Been Better If

Alright, let’s talk about the cracks in the cape.

First off, the Exposition overload. The film skips Superman’s origin story (thankfully), but to fill in the blanks, it drops a lot of text and background info early on. It’s fast and useful—but also kinda dry. Some viewers might feel emotionally disconnected right at the start.

Second, the Final act feels messy. Up until then, the film flows with a clean, focused rhythm—then suddenly, boom, chaos. Too many villains show up, too many fights at once. Instead of building suspense, it feels like the movie is rushing to tick boxes. You’ll still enjoy the action, but you might miss the emotional weight the earlier scenes gave us.

Then comes, The polished look and clean visuals are both a strength and a weakness. Yes, it’s beautiful to look at—but sometimes it feels a little too shiny, a bit too perfect. Like it’s missing that lived-in feeling. You admire it, but don’t feel it.

And Finally, Clark Kent’s life at the Daily Planet barely gets any time. For a guy trying to balance being Superman and a regular human, his office scenes feel rushed or skipped. A few more newsroom moments with Lois, Jimmy, and Perry could’ve made him feel more grounded. We needed more of the man, not just the super.

Still, even with all these nitpicks, the heart of the movie stays strong. But yeah, it’s not a flawless flight.