James Gunn’s highly anticipated reboot of Superman is drawing enthusiastic early reactions, with many fans and critics already hailing it as one of the best superhero films in recent years—even before its official cinema debut.
The film, which introduces David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman and serves as the foundation for the newly revamped DC Universe, has left early viewers both impressed and emotional. On social media, early screening attendees praised the movie’s tone, visuals, and heartfelt storytelling.
Bryan Sudfield, a film journalist, took to X (formerly Twitter) to write:
“Superman soars with heart, humor, and style — a bold yet faithful take on the iconic hero. James Gunn sets a fresh tone while honoring the character’s legacy, and David Corenswet shines with sincerity and strength. A promising, thrilling start to DC’s new era.”
Movie critic Erik Davis echoed the sentiment, calling the film “the perfect superhero movie,” adding:
“It’s big, bright, exciting, full of hope & it never loses its sense of wonder. Watching it felt like ripping open a comic book & feasting on its wild, chaotic imagination. Loved it!”
David Corenswet’s performance, in particular, has garnered strong praise. Brandon Davis, another prominent film commentator, wrote, “David Corenswet was born for Superman & Clark Kent. Loved it.”
The film is being credited for balancing modern storytelling with the classic optimism of Superman. It’s a tone that director James Gunn acknowledged in a recent interview with Deadline, where he said the film is “lighter” than his previous work, while still addressing heavier themes. “I wanted to capture the colour and the joy of Superman,” Gunn said.
However, not all responses have been glowing. Veteran critic Peter Howell offered a more skeptical take, suggesting the film focused too heavily on style. “It’s not the super start to the DC Universe everybody had been hoping for,” he remarked, suggesting that the movie may be lacking in emotional depth.
Still, for most fans and critics, Superman appears to have hit the mark. The film’s use of vibrant visuals, character-driven storytelling, and reverence for the source material is being celebrated as a course correction for the DC franchise, which has faced inconsistency in tone and reception in recent years.
The timing of the release adds an extra layer of competition. Superman opens in cinemas today, just two weeks ahead of Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps, due out on 25 July.
With buzz growing rapidly and social media filled with glowing praise, Superman may be exactly the lift the DC Universe has been waiting for.
