Originally published to FOX5 Vegas on July 31, 2025.

It’s not hyperbolic to say that the 2025 box office will be pivotal to the future of movie theaters and, in some ways, the film industry as a whole. Movies have been simmering rather than boiling since COVID-19 shut down theaters. 2024 marked the first time the domestic box office declined in the post-pandemic era, down 3.5% from the previous year. The 2025 summer blockbuster offerings are poised to reveal a great deal about the appetite of general audiences. Could people be too stuck in their devices, turned off by unruly crowds, and programmed for short-form media to get back to the cinema?

Here comes Superman … to save the day?

The 2025 refreshed version of the Man of Steel comes with the baggage of DC Studios’ last attempt at creating their cinematic universe, akin to Marvel’s blockbuster franchise that has enraptured audiences for more than a decade before their own sharp falloff. Guardians of the Galaxy director and new DC Studios head James Gunn helms this new try at telling Superman’s story, and while one might expect an easy-going, audience-friendly entry to welcome fans to this new DC Universe, 2025’s Superman is anything but.

While watching Superman, I found myself thinking a lot about general audiences. Those people who will be giving this world a try again thrice rebooted in the past two decades, not including various television entries. I thought about my mom, my dad, my casual viewing sister, and anyone who hasn’t been knee-deep in comic books for much of their lives, like myself. What will they think of Gunn’s take on Superman?

This movie is insane.

Not in an irreverent way or even in a disrespectful manner, but the concepts and set pieces introduced in Superman are so whiplash-inducing, and they come on at such a breakneck pace that anyone not steeped in 30 years of comic book lore might have a hard time coming to terms with just how bizarre this universe is.

David Corenswet’s Superman has the misfortune of following Henry Cavill’s interpretation of the Kryptonian Kal-El. While he is a likable version of the character, he is significantly underpowered. I found myself watching Corenswet struggle to perform certain feats during the film, thinking that the Man of Steel would have no problem lifting this or punching that. This version of Superman, the most powerful being on the planet and essentially a deity walking on Earth, is anything but godlike, basically matching power levels with other DC metahumans introduced in this reboot.

There’s no question the focal point of Superman is Krypto. The superpowered mutt that has featured prominently in the film’s marketing plays a significant role in the final product, and he’s pretty great, honestly. For dog people, Krypto will likely be the hallmark of the film. As one of those said dog people, I can’t imagine what people could dislike about him. He brings the “man” out of Corenswet’s Superman in a way that we haven’t necessarily seen before, and while it helps us relate to Kal-El, being relatable is already one of his strong suits.

A considerable upgrade from earlier versions of the character is Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane. She’s smart, witty, flawed, and journalistic — precisely the way the comics have portrayed her for decades. Although she’s not given an enormous story arc — this is indeed Kal-El’s film — Lois feels like a real character. Something that Zack Snyder and Bryan Singer couldn’t exactly make stick.

Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor might be the most comic-accurate version of the character. Unfortunately, that doesn’t necessarily qualify him as a dynamic villain. This version of Luthor doesn’t present in any unique way. He is a generic villain who rattles off soliloquies about his hatred of Superman at the slightest provocation. His frantic pace ensures that Luthor is constantly in motion, and his motivations are clear, as he says them — out loud — several times in the film. However, there’s nothing to chew on with this version of Lex. Like much of 2025’s version of Superman, it’s ephemeral.

Paired with some colorful and enjoyable side characters like Nathan Fillion’s Guy Gardner, Isabela Merced’s Hawk Girl, and perhaps the MVP of the side characters, Edi Gathegi’s Mister Terrific, all of which have their own unique powers and motivations, a lot is happening on every front in Superman. The chaos stops short of being a complete mess, but it might be a bit too much for a general audience. For a comic book fan, though …

It may not be the best comic book movie of all time, but it’s definitely the most comic book movie of all time.

For comic book fans, Superman might represent the most significant gamble a major movie studio has taken in producing a film that mirrors its on-page counterpart. The colorful, flashy, sometimes absolutely crazy product is anything but boring. However, despite the action, and in line with other efforts featuring the Man of Steel, it works best when villains aren’t tugging on Superman’s cape but instead tugging on his heartstrings.

As a comic book fan, I enjoyed Superman quite a bit. But would I recommend it for my mom? My dad? My sister? I’m not sure general audiences are ready for this one.

So, has Superman saved the day? The jury is out.