James Gunn's 'Superman' Opens to 82% Critical Approval, Drawing Praise and Debate

James Gunn's highly anticipated film "Superman," marking the official launch of the new DC Universe, has premiered worldwide on July 11, 2025, to a largely positive, yet nuanced, critical reception. The film, starring David Corenswet as the Man of Steel, aims to redefine the iconic hero with a fresh, hopeful tone. However, early reviews present a spectrum of opinions, highlighting both its strengths and perceived weaknesses.

Among the critiques, The New Yorker's review, as highlighted in a recent tweet from @tnyfrontrow, suggests that while Gunn is "admirably overflowing with imagination," he ultimately "squanders his best material." The review further elaborated on the film's "simplistic moral lessons" and noted that Superman remains "unchanged by his travails," lacking the depth of previous iterations. It also pointed to an overcrowded narrative, with numerous characters and subplots vying for attention.

Despite these specific reservations, the broader critical consensus has been largely favorable, with "Superman" achieving an 82% "Certified Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a Metacritic score of 68. Many critics lauded David Corenswet's portrayal of Superman and Rachel Brosnahan's performance as Lois Lane, praising their chemistry and the film's earnest, optimistic spirit. Reviewers frequently highlighted Gunn's success in bringing a vibrant, comic-book-like feel to the screen, departing from the darker tones of past DC films.

The narrative bypasses an origin story, focusing on Superman's early days in Metropolis as he reconciles his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing. The film introduces a politically charged backdrop, featuring Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) as a tech billionaire orchestrating international conflicts and social media smear campaigns against the hero. Themes of kindness, hope, and the challenges of being an immigrant are central to the story, alongside the introduction of other metahumans like Mister Terrific, Hawkgirl, and Green Lantern.

While the inclusion of numerous supporting characters enriches the world-building, some critics echoed The New Yorker's sentiment, finding the film "overstuffed" or "super-busy," which occasionally leads to an uneven pace or less developed subplots. Nevertheless, "Superman" is widely seen as a crucial first step for the new DCU under Gunn and co-CEO Peter Safran, signaling a renewed focus on the core values of its heroes and setting the stage for an interconnected cinematic future.