'Superman' Review: James Gunn's Film Is Off To A 'Thrilling Start' Despite Negative Critic Analysis

James Gunn has brought back the fan favourite hero, 'Superman', to the big screens. Superman will be released in India this weekend on July 11, 2025. However, the film was released in several countries by Warner Bros. Pictures on July 9, 2025, following its massive premiere at the TCL Chinese Theatre on July 7, 2025. The film also held a special screening for the critics and journalists in the West. However, their reactions and reviews were under embargo. 

Superman received a negative review from the critics

Superman's special premiere was followed by a 'final nail in the coffin' review from the Daily Beast. Despite being under embargo, one publication jumped the gun and shared a review on the film, which was later deleted. However, removing something from the web is not easy for anyone, and the review had already garnered several views. The publication broke the review embargo and published its analysis on July 7, 2025. While it was later deleted, the damage had already been done. The headline for the review stated:

"Terrible New 'Superman' Is Final Nail in Superhero Cinema’s Coffin"

The review was a critical dismay at James Gunn's film. They shared that the new 'Man of Steel', David Corenswet, doesn't skimp on the high-flying action, to a fault and added that the film was awash in over-the-top CGI. The review proceeded and even labelled the CGI 'insanity'. A part of the review could be read as:

"The film is so awash in over-the-top CGI insanity that its slam-bang mayhem loses its punch. Not helping matters, the charming Corenswet looks the part but, in the shadow of Christopher Reeve (whose son Will cameos) and Henry Cavill, he comes across as relatively slight—a situation exacerbated by the all-over-the-place nature of his saga."

The review further criticised the inclusion of too many characters. They claimed that the plotlines within a two-hour runtime didn't need so many faces. The review further stated that the crowding only ate into time that could have been spent developing the protagonist. A part of the review could be quoted as saying:

"Biting off more than it can chew, Gunn's wannabe-blockbuster eventually resorts to setting up future franchise instalments via quick-hit appearances from Maxwell Lord (Sean Gunn) and Supergirl (Milly Alcock). That's not to mention by highlighting second-banana figures like Mister Terrific at the expense of fully establishing the altruistic heart of its protagonist, whose path toward self-actualisation is mostly an afterthought."

Fans came forward to defend Superman

While the review has done immense damage to the film's image, fans are not yet giving up on the film. A user penned, "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 and made me a believer in Gunn's #DC." Another wrote, "The Daily Beast broke review embargo and said Superman was bad, but they also said Sinners and Mickey17 were bad, so that means Superman is good." A commenter wrote, "#Superman is a TRIUMPH. David Corenswet STEALS the show and makes the role completely his, Hoult is UNBELIEVABLE as Lex, Rachel is PHENOMENAL, and the direction is STELLAR. Not sure about Chris Pratt as Batman or the Superbat romantic subplot."

The review embargo for Superman will be lifted at 3:00 p.m. EST on July 8, 2025, and fans are eagerly anticipating the film's unfolding story.

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