Summary
It’s been a lengthy and jam-packed process leading up toSuperman’s release later this week, but the DC Universe’s first film is finally upon us. Now that official reviews are being posted online, fans can grasp a better understanding of what they’re in for when they head to theaters in just a few days' time.
James Gunnhas been working on revamping Superman since around the middle of 2022, meaning a nearly three-year journey for the filmmaker is about to come to an end. Just as the ill-fated DCEU did before, the DCU is kicking things off theatrically with the Man of Steel. Seemingly inspired bybeloved comic book storieslikeAll-Star SupermanandSuperman for All Seasons,as well as beloved adaptations of the character like the Fleischer Studios short films from the ’40s and the 1990s stapleSuperman: The Animated Series, this new Superman has been built from the ground up to be hopeful. Long gone are the days of Zack Snyder’s darker take on the character. Now, fans are looking forward to Gunn’s more optimistic take on the character, complete with an energetic Krypto the Superdog to boot. With the review embargo being lifted earlier today, reviewers' takes on the film are out in the wild, providing moviegoers with more to take in before heading to multiplexes (or not) later this week.
At the time of writing,James Gunn’sSupermanis sitting at an 86% on Rotten Tomatoes' Tomatometer (gathered from 102 reviews) and has a 71 Metascore from Metacritic (gathered from 35 reviews).Between the two review-aggregating giants,Supermanis doing extremely well. Of course, none of this matters if people don’t show up to theaters, and critical success has never been a fantastic barometer for financial prosperity. Still, it is much easier to get butts in seats if the reviews are good… even thoughJurassic World Rebirthjustshowed this past weekendthat audiences don’t always care about critical takes on their big-budget franchises.
SupermanIs Doing Very Well On Rotten Tomatoes And Metacritic
Our own Editor-in-Chief Anthony Taormina got to see it, and he had nothing but effusive praise for the film, stating,"…the tone and the action, it all captures Superman in a way that you haven’t seen before on the big screen.“He’s not alone, as positive reviews are pouring in from all over the internet.Variety’s Owen Gleiberman enjoyedDavid Corenswet’s take on Superman, calling him"a majestic force of good, yet one who’s stalwart but vulnerable, superhuman but touchingly humane, alive with internal struggle.“The Hollywood Reporter’s David Rooney follows suit, calling the film"fun, pacy and enjoyable, a breath of fresh air sweetened by a deep affection for the material and boosted by a winning trio of leads.”
“I think this will be a crowd-pleaser on a level that Superman deserves.” - Anthony Taormina
Of course, not every review has been positive, withThe Guardian’s Peter Bradshaw claiming"this new Superman is encumbered by a pointless and cluttered new backstory which has to be explained in many wearisome intertitles flashed up on screen before anything happens at all. Only the repeated and laborious quotation of the great John Williams theme from the 1978 original reminds you of happier times.”
So what should fans make of all these reviews hitting the web? Providing a little context could help.Man of Steelgarnered a 57% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 55 on Metacritic when it was released in 2013.Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, James Gunn’s last directorial effort, earned an 82% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 64 on Metacritic. At the end of the day,audiences themselves will decide what they thinkof the DCU’sSuperman,and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
