Movie Review: ‘Superman’ 4K Ultra HD

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Review by Lauryn Angel

Richard Donner’s Superman (1978) is one of the first movies I remember seeing in the theater. I was four years old, and that movie introduced me to the world of superheroes. Christopher Reeve was my Superman as a grew up, and though many actors have played the part since Reeves, none really surpassed him in my estimation. While I enjoyed Henry Cavill in Zack Snyder’s adaptations, there were a lot of things I didn’t like about those movies. So when James Gunn’s Superman was initially announced, I had mixed feelings. On the one hand, did we really need another Superman? But on the other, as a James Gunn fan, I looked forward to what he would do with the character.

Thankfully, my faith in Gunn was not misplaced. Superman (2025) is a delightful breath of fresh air for the character. Gunn skips over the origin story and we meet this incarnation of Superman (David Corenswet) at a low point – right after the first time he loses a battle. From there, the movie introduces other characters in the Superman mythos with similar lack of exposition. And, really, we don’t miss it, because if you’re a Superman fan, you already know who Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan), Perry White (Wendell Pierce), and Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) are. Gunn saves us from exposition that tells us what we already know and dives immediately into the story at hand.

Gunn himself says Superman is an immigrant story, and it’s true that Kal-El’s alien status is part of the problem antagonist Lex Luthor has with the hero. Superman also has a tendency to intercede in global conflicts based on his own beliefs rather than at the recognizance of the United States or any other government. And to complicate matters, new information comes to light that makes the general public question Superman’s motives.

Superman has several allies in this movie, including Green Lantern Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion), Hawkgirl (Isabella Merced), and Mr. Terrific (Edi Gathegi), members of a team Gardner insists on calling “the Justice Gang.” And, of course, there’s Krypto, who, as you’ve probably already guessed, since this is a James Gunn movie, steals the show. Likewise, the Justice Gang provide a great counterpoint to Superman, and have some great battle scenes of their own.

Superman breathes new life into the character, and it’s the perfect popcorn flick!