Superman Review: A Dim Reboot Fails to Rekindle the Man of Steel’s Charm

James Gunn’s reboot of Superman, starring David Corenswet, struggles to revitalize the iconic hero, plagued by a muddled backstory and an uninspired performance. The film opens with a convoluted explanation of Superman’s recent involvement in a fictional war, which detracts from the excitement fans expect from the character. Instead of returning to the basics of the hero’s origin, the plot introduces an unnecessary crisis of confidence, with Superman defeated by a ‘metahuman’ opponent. The film’s lack of direction is further compounded by the underwhelming performance of the supporting cast, including Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. Despite a few moments of levity, the film ultimately fails to deliver the escapism and excitement superhero films once promised. The film’s reliance on CGI-heavy destruction and a generic plot leaves the audience wondering why it exists in the first place. While James Gunn’s previous work in Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy earned praise for its fresh take, his Superman reboot falters, unable to rekindle the spark that once made the character great.