It's Better Than You Remember...

I recently went to see Superman (2025) and I thought it was...ok.

Growing up as a Superman fan was hard. The Marvel Cinematic Universe was at the peak of its powers at the time which left me in an awkward position: a DC kid in a Marvel world. So when my prayers were finally answered and I heard DC would be getting its own live-action universe, I was ecstatic that my friends would finally understand what I had been raving about for years. But when the DCEU showed their hand, it seemed to prove what everyone already thought...

DC was a joke.

But let's get this straight, I agreed with the sentiment about the DCEU and it does NOT represent the DC or Superman I fell in love with. Strangely enough, I wasn't a huge comic book kid either as I only read the same handful over and over again. No, my love for DC was based firmly on their animated works. Justice League, Justice League: Unlimited, The New Frontier, Superman/Batman World's Finest and Public Enemies, Crisis on Two Earths, Batman: Under the Red Hood, etc. That was my bread and butter.

The show responsible for my obsession with Superman specifically was the incredible Superman: The Animated Series, which aired on Cartoon Network from 1996-2000. I was too young to catch it on TV, but my glorious DVD set of each season was definitely well-used. The live action films never quite captured the magic that DC was able to find with animation (with few exceptions) and I've come to the point where I don't even build expectations anymore. But in preparation for the release of the newest addition to the DC reboot, I rewatched every first Superman movie since Richard Donner's 1978 film.

Which brings me to Superman (2025).

My problems with Superman (2025) are the same as my problems with Man of Steel, only on opposite sides of the spectrum. Man of Steel takes itself much too seriously with a dark tone that doesn't fit the character, and Superman (2025) has a far too silly and, at times, downright cringey approach that I also don't love. James Gunn's style certainly works for films like Guardians of the Galaxy, but it simply doesn't lend itself well to a hero like Superman.

Don't get me wrong, there are things I loved about the movie and I would still watch it over Man of Steel 90% of the time. Nicholas Hoult's Lex Luthor was top-notch, as well as everyone on the "Justice Gang". It was shot beautifully and its social/political commentary was brave and welcome. Superman was much more believable in his efforts to be human and protect the lives of the people on Earth in one of my favorite portrayals of the character himself. I only wish the movie served this character more by letting the emotional moments breathe without being smothered by jokes and set pieces that dragged on too long. Overall, it was a lopsided experience that left me wanting more Superman, less jokes.

In my journey to prepare for James Gunn's take on the Son of Krypton, I had to rewatch Superman Returns (2006), an often forgotten entry and if remembered, remembered very poorly. Growing up, Superman Returns was on all the time in my household. When I rewatched it for the first time in over ten years, I was expecting to hate it based on every other reaction to it I'd seen. However, perhaps I am blinded by nostalgia, but not only did I not understand the hate towards the film, I believe it remains the best iteration of the Man of Steel we've seen on the silver screen.

In a way, Superman Returns acts as an epilogue to the original film series, with similar character archetypes and many references. Yet it lacks the outdated and silly camp feel that harms the Donner films. The narrative of Superman returning (shocker) after disappearing for five years, works as an interesting concept and as a meta moment for the audience who hadn't seen the man of steel on screen since Superman IV nearly twenty years prior. Brandon Routh does a great job stepping into the enormous shoes (or red boots) left by Christopher Reeve. And as much as I hate to give him any credit, Kevin Spacey's Lex Luthor is truly evil. Kate Bosworth's Lois Lane is perfect for the type of Lois required for a film like this. Just the choice of having Lois already in a serious relationship with another man is genius in the way that Superman and the audience both feel betrayed and obligated to win her back. The story unfolds in a genuinely compelling way with action sequences that compete with some of the best Superman moments of all time. And the final twist of the reveal of Superman's son could have easily been cringey and embarrassing, but is done in a way that serves the themes of the film while presenting a unique angle on the character. In the end, it all gets tied back to the original film in a way that doesn't feel cheap or like nostalgia-baiting in a touching scene where Superman repeats the words of his father, Jor-El, to his young son. It sits firmly in the middle between the tones of the two most recent Superman films, not constantly goofy, not too serious. Just serious enough that it feels right.

It feels like...Superman.

Sure, Superman Returns has its problems too. It certainly could trim some fat from its two and a half hour runtime. But I believe that it is unjustly hated, very underrated, and remains my favorite of all the Superman films thus far. Give it another shot or a first watch if you've never seen it. It might surprise you.