James Gunn’s Superman Earns Rave Early Reactions, With David Corenswet Called a “Perfect” Man of Steel
A new tone, a new cast, and early buzz that feels genuinely hopeful — James Gunn’s Superman might just mark a DC comeback.
Los Angeles, July 8 EST: James Gunn’s new Superman isn’t just here to save Metropolis — he might just rescue the whole DC Universe from cinematic purgatory. The early reactions are flying in faster than a speeding bullet, and the vibe is clear: this one lands.
A Man of Steel With Actual Heart (And Jokes That Hit)
Let’s cut to it — fans and critics are feeling this movie. The first screenings have unleashed a flood of praise, with some calling it “the perfect superhero movie,” others comparing it to Sam Raimi’s Spider‑Man trilogy, and more than a few labeling it a fresh start that finally ditches the grit-for-grit’s-sake approach that’s haunted DC for years.
Think less Snyder gloom, more Guardians-style shimmer — but through a Clark Kent lens. As Slashfilm’s Chris Evangelista puts it, the movie is “unapologetically silly, earnest, and intentionally corny — it utterly charmed me.” In other words, Gunn’s not afraid of a little camp when it’s in service of something real.
David Corenswet: From Indie Darling to Big Blue
The big win? David Corenswet. A lot of pressure was riding on the Philly-born actor who went from Hollywood (the Netflix show, not the city) to Hollywood’s most iconic role. By most accounts, he crushed it. He’s got the charm, the sincerity, and — yes — the jawline.
Critics are calling his Superman “exceptional,” and the chemistry with Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane is already being meme’d as “off-the-charts.” Not just romantic tension, but that rat-a-tat His Girl Friday vibe fans have been begging for. According to EW, Brosnahan even called this version of Lois “the closest to myself I’ve ever played.”
Bright, Brave, and Bold — Literally
Visually? It pops. Gone are the sad Instagram filters of yore. This movie’s got color, light, movement. IGN dubbed it “bright, brave, and bold,” while others noted the kinetic camerawork and vibrant production design that leans into the comic-book feel without tipping into parody.
The tone’s doing a delicate dance — heartfelt without being sappy, funny without being flippant, and heroic without all the tortured masculinity. Think early Wonder Woman energy with some Guardians weirdness sprinkled in. It’s got a sci-fi pulse, emotional beats, and yes, actual hope.
But It’s Not All Kryptonite-Free
Now, let’s keep it real: not everyone is doing cartwheels. A few early viewers called it “fine” rather than phenomenal, and some DC diehards are still on the fence about Gunn’s lighter touch. Reddit’s got its skeptics (shocker), with a few calling it “too jokey” or “trying too hard to be Marvel.” But even the mixed reviews admit: Corenswet sticks the landing, and there’s real promise here.
One Redditor summed it up best: “I think the silver lining… everyone is unanimous in that Corenswet is a great Superman.”
Gunn’s DC: An Immigrant Story With Bite
And yes — this is Gunn, so there’s a message. He’s doubled down on Superman’s roots as an immigrant story, something he says is non-negotiable, even if some corners of the internet are yelling about “wokeness.” As Gunn told People: “If someone has a problem with that, screw them.”
That energy carries through the film. Superman isn’t just a muscle-bound savior here — he’s a guy trying to do good in a messy world. It’s timely. It’s political without being preachy. And it feels like Gunn actually gets what Kal-El’s supposed to stand for.
The Verdict So Far: A New Dawn, Not Just a New Suit
Look, we’ve been burned before. DC fans know the hype cycle can be cruel. But this time? The early noise feels different. Superman is tracking like a genuine reboot with its own flavor — not just a franchise patch job. The cast is clicking, the tone is finally calibrated, and the DCU may have just found its North Star.
Hope really is a good thing — and for the first time in a while, Superman feels like he’s bringing it back.
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A bi-coastal pop culture critic and former indie screenwriter, Gia covers Hollywood, streaming wars, and subculture shifts with razor wit and Gen Z intuition. If it’s going viral, she already knew about it.
