They didn’t reinvent Superman. They didn’t deconstruct him. They didn’t turn him into a tragic, tortured god.
They just let him fly.
And that’s the boldest thing a superhero movie has done in years.
Worldbuilding Done Right
One of the biggest challenges in adapting Superman in modern times is finding the right tone. Some past iterations tried to ground the character in gritty realism — asking questions like, What if humans treated Superman like a god? What if society feared him? But this film doesn’t dwell on those hypotheticals. It doesn’t waste time asking if the world deserves Superman. It simply accepts that he exists — and then builds a world around that fact.
In this version, the extraordinary is ordinary. Superheroes and aliens? Giant kaiju tearing through cities? That’s just another Tuesday in Metropolis. It doesn’t over-explain or apologize for the fantastical. Instead, it leans into it — and in doing so, it makes the world feel alive, dynamic, and unapologetically comic-booky. This is the kind of bold, rich worldbuilding that respects the genre and trusts the audience to roll with it.
The result? A universe that feels lived-in, mythic, and fun all at once — the kind of world where Superman actually belongs.
Character Adaptation Done Right
This movie remembers something recent adaptations seemed to forget: Superman doesn’t need to be edgy, cynical, or “broken” to be interesting. Here, he’s not some brooding god trying to find his place — he’s just Clark. A man from Krypton, raised in Kansas, doing his best to help.
There’s something so refreshing about that simplicity. He’s not burdened by dark moral dilemmas or existential crises. He’s grounded, kind, and inspirational — not in spite of his powers, but because of the way he chooses to use them.
Lois Lane is equally well-handled. She’s not just the “love interest.” She’s a sharp, principled journalist — someone constantly torn between her feelings and her job. Her conflict is real and human, and it gives her arc real weight.
And then there’s Lex Luthor. Finally — a version of Lex that makes sense. He’s not trying to destroy Superman because of abstract philosophical beliefs or vague ideas about humanity’s place in the cosmos. He simply hates him. Out of envy. Out of ego. Lex didn’t manipulate world leaders as part of a grand scheme to achieve power — he created a geopolitical crisis for one reason only: to get Superman out of the way. It’s personal. It’s petty. It’s perfect.
I could go on about how Mister Terrific, Jimmy Olsen, and Eve Teschmacher were portrayed — each of them with distinct personalities and actual narrative purpose — but honestly, we’d be here all day.
Just the Whole Vibe, Really
More than anything, it just feels right. The tone is bright, but not cheesy. Emotional, but not melodramatic. There’s a vibrant energy pulsing through the film — a sense of hope, fun, and adventure that so many modern superhero movies seem afraid of these days.
The movie gives us iconic locations like the Fortress of Solitude, but treats them with wonder and reverence. It gives us the Daily Planet, not just as a building but as a living, breathing hub for real journalism. And it gives us the Kents — Ma and Pa — whose small-town wisdom and unconditional love shaped Clark into the hero he is.
These aren’t just Easter eggs or fan service. These are the building blocks of Superman’s identity — and the film treats them as such.
Conclusion: This Is How You Do It
This adaptation doesn’t try to reinvent Superman. It doesn’t apologize for his optimism or try to darken his story for the sake of being “modern.” Instead, it embraces everything that makes Superman great — and tells a story that’s earnest, thrilling, and full of heart.
Is it perfect? Absolutely.
With projects like Supergirl and Peacemaker Season 2 on the horizon, and with James Gunn steering the ship, the DCU is finally moving in the right direction. It’s bold. It’s confident. It’s fun. And if this Superman is the foundation of what’s to come — then we’re in very good hands.
Final Rating: 10/10
