Superman Reviews: James Gunn’s Reboot Has Critics Raving – Full Breakdown

Early reactions to James Gunn’s rebooted Man of Steel are in, and the Superman reviews paint a picture of a hero soaring into a new DC era with only minor turbulence. Following Monday night’s Los Angeles premiere, the social-media embargo dropped, unleashing a flood of critic quotes that frame Gunn’s Superman as “bold yet faithful,” “bright,” and “filled with hope.” Variety’s Zack Sharf reports that film writer Bryan Sudfield called it “a thrilling start to DC’s new era,” applauding Gunn for honoring the character’s legacy while carving out a fresh tone. Fandango’s Erik Davis echoed that sentiment, labeling the film “big, bright, exciting, full of wonder,” and stressing that it feels as if viewers are “ripping open a comic book and feasting on its wild imagination”. Collider’s Perri Nemiroff highlighted “exhilarating action set pieces” balanced by “well-placed humor and levity,” while Brandon Davis praised David Corenswet’s “exceptional” performance and “off-the-charts” chemistry with Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane. Not every Superman review is kryptonite-free. Toronto Star critic Peter Howell argued that the movie “prioritizes style over substance,” describing Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor as “more obnoxious than villainous” and dubbing Krypto the Superdog the film’s unexpected scene-stealer. Yet even mixed notices concede the film’s spectacle—CGI-heavy battles, otherworldly tech, and Gunn’s signature color palette—delivers the big-screen wow factor fans expect. Superman arrives in theaters July 11, launching the first chapter of Gunn and Peter Safran’s interconnected DC Universe. The film stars Corenswet as Clark Kent, Brosnahan as investigative ace Lois Lane, and Hoult as a newly shaven Lex Luthor, with support from Skyler Gisondo (Jimmy Olsen), Isabela Merced (Hawkgirl), Nathan Fillion (Guy Gardner), Edi Gathegi (Mister Terrific), and Anthony Carrigan (Metamorpho). Gunn recently told The Sunday Times that Superman is “the story of America—an immigrant tale about basic human kindness,” themes critics say give the blockbuster unexpected emotional weight. With pre-sales trending ahead of 2023’s The Flash, analysts project an $120-$140 million domestic launch, a figure Gunn insists doesn’t need to reach “nonsense” $700 million heights to be deemed successful. SEO takeaway: early Superman reviews praise James Gunn’s hopeful vision, Corenswet’s sincere heroism, and a return to bright, optimistic storytelling—key phrases fans are already searching as the DC Studios relaunch takes flight this weekend.