Warner Bros. Pictures unleashes James Gunn’s “Superman” this week, the first film effort of the new DC Universe continuity and relaunched DC Studios division of the company.
But is it any good? That’s the big question. Going into the weekend, a review leaked online painting a negative picture. Then on Sunday leaked one that was positive followed by another positive one today.
Multiple outlets were reporting that the critics they talked to all had varied reactions – some loving, some hating, etc. and it ran the entire spectrum. While full reviews aren’t out until tomorrow, the social media embargo has now lifted and reactions are flooding in.
The result? So far overwhelmingly positive with lots of gushing about the movie. The few negatives for the film so far have targeted the script, the second act and mostly the tone.
That tone is being compared to Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man” trilogy and Saturday morning cartoons – earnestness, campy, rapid fire, etc. and it’s that approach that seems to be driving the division.
Performances seem to be universally positive with Corenswet in particular being lauded, as well as his chemistry with Brosnahan. Most reactions so far are from online junketers and influencers, not so much major film critics as yet but some are coming through. Here’s a sampling:
“Superman soars. It’s a non-stop joyride, packed with humor, action, and emotion. There’s spectacle to spare, unbridled optimism, and a goofy unpredictability that ties everything together, even when there are a few minor issues. We’ve never seen DC like this, and it’s great.” – Germain Lussier, io9
“#Superman made me so damn happy. The movie is loaded with exhilarating action set pieces and well-placed humor and levity, but the beating heart of the film is Superman’s humanity, and his insistence on doing good and making the world a better place. There are some moments when the story structure feels a little jarring, but individual sequences are so strong that such hiccups ultimately feel like mere blips on the radar.” – Perri Nemiroff, Collider
“Superman is great. It’s the most comic book-y superhero movie ever made, probably closest in tone to the Raimi Spider-Man movies but far more fantastical. That leaked review is gonna end up as a major outlier” – Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone
“Gosh, I absolutely loved this. James Gunn’s feature-length comic book splash page is so unapologetically silly, earnest, and intentionally corny that it utterly charmed me. Left a big, stupid smile on my face by the end.” – Chris Evangelista, Slashfilm
“Superman absolutely soars! An awesome achievement & hopeful balm, honoring past iterations (cinema & comics) while cutting its own path. Corenswet has that heroic shimmer. Hoult is delightfully diabolical. Brosnahan brims w/ vim & vigor. Krypto’s adorbs. ” – Courtney Howard, The Av Club
“Superman really fun, not political at all. Corenswet and Brosnahan have terrific chemistry. Lots of fun with Krypto the dog. Nicholas Hoult is a top notch scene chewer. Loved the fortress of solitude. A relief from past DC operas. Past few Superman movies I dreaded they were so serious. This makes you feel like you’re enjoying a comic book. Kudos to James Gunn. Again. Nothing woke no politics. But Superman confronts his origin story in a successful way.” – Roger Friedman, Showbiz 411
“This is the BEST #Superman movie to date. When James Gunn gets out of the way & lets his work speak for itself, it’s incredible. It’s not perfect, but darn close & made me a believer in Gunn’s #DC” – Grace Randolph, Beyond the Trailer
“James Gunn’s Superman is GREAT from start to finish—just a fun-filled, action-packed, quintessential summer blockbuster. It’s the shot of adrenaline the superhero movie genre needs. Also, Krypto is THE BEST dog.” – Molly Freeman, Screenrant
“#Superman is a triumph for the new DC Universe. It’s a comic book brought to beautiful live-action life, brimming with hope & fulfillment. It actually elicited tears of joy from me. It’s a Superman for everyone. David Corenswet was born for Superman & Clark Kent. Loved it.” – Brandon Davis, Phase Hero
“Superman is thrilling and earnest: a comic book brought to life, with James Gunn asking intriguing questions about heroism and self-actualization, alongside wildly creative uses of Clark’s powers. Its narrative sprawl leads to some character shakiness, but the new DC hits hard..” – Brandon Lewis, Geek Vibes Nation
“The closest thing we’ll get to a live-action Saturday morning cartoon. The cast (esp David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan) is literally perfect. It’s a shame it looks like that.” – Hoai-Tran Bui, Inverse
“Not the super start to the DC Universe everybody had been hoping for. James Gunn is brilliant at conjuring spectacle and creating alien realms, not so great at storytelling. David Corenswet plays a boyishly sweet Superman, constantly getting his ass kicked; he’d be better as the lead in a Dudley Do-Right movie. Rachel Brosnahan makes a spiky Lois Lane, Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor is more obnoxious than villainous.” – Peter Howell, Toronto Star
Full reviews go online from 3pm US-EST on Tuesday while the film itself is set to open in cinemas on July 11th.
