James Gunn’s Superman is pure joy wrapped in a red cape, and it reminded me why I fell in love with the Last Son of Krypton in the first place.

I walked out of the theater last night with the biggest grin on my face, and I’ll be honest—I felt like I was eight years old again. There’s something magical about Superman that just hits different, you know? Even after all these years, all these reboots, all these different interpretations, that iconic “S” shield still makes my heart race a little faster.

Let me take you back for a second. I still remember the first time I saw Christopher Reeve in that 1978 Superman film. The way he made you believe a man could fly, the earnest goodness radiating from every frame—it gave me chills then, and honestly, it still does. That movie set the bar impossibly high for what Superman could be on the big screen. And while we’ve had some great attempts since then, James Gunn’s Superman feels like the first one that truly captures that same sense of wonder and hope.

Casting That Feels Like Destiny

One of the things that struck me immediately about this film is how perfectly cast everyone is. Seriously, not a single actor feels out of place. David Corenswet as Superman is nothing short of phenomenal—he brings that perfect blend of Kansas farm boy sincerity and otherworldly heroism that makes you believe he really is the embodiment of hope. The guy clearly put in the work too, reportedly gaining 40 pounds of muscle for the role, and it shows. He’s got that Christopher Reeve quality where he can be both Clark Kent and Superman convincingly.

But let’s talk about some of the supporting cast that really surprised me. Sara Sampaio as Eve Teschmacher brings such a fun, modern energy to the role. What many people don’t realize is that she’s actually a Victoria’s Secret Angel who made history as the first Portuguese model to appear in a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Her transition from modeling to acting in such a major blockbuster is impressive, and she clearly relished playing Lex Luthor’s stylish assistant.

And can we talk about Wendell Pierce as Perry White? This man has been crushing it in everything from The Wire to Suits to Jack Ryan, and seeing him bark orders at the Daily Planet just feels right. Pierce brings that perfect gruff-but-caring energy that makes Perry White such a great character. Plus, knowing his range from all those spy thrillers and legal dramas, you know he can handle whatever James Gunn throws at him.

The Hidden Gem: Mr. Terrific Steals Every Scene

Now, here’s where I have to talk about what I think is the hidden, untalked-about gem of the entire movie: Edi Gathegi as Mr. Terrific. If you’re not familiar with this character, don’t worry—most people aren’t. But trust me when I say this guy is about to become everyone’s new favorite superhero.

Mr. Terrific, aka Michael Holt, is essentially the third smartest person in the DC Universe (behind only Batman and Lex Luthor), and boy does Gathegi bring that intelligence to life in the most compelling way. The man has 14 PhDs, is an Olympic-level athlete, and built a tech empire—and somehow Gathegi makes all of that feel completely believable without ever making him seem arrogant or out of touch.

What really caught me off guard was how naturally brilliant his dialogue felt. There’s this fantastic scene where he’s working alongside Lois Lane, and when she tries to engage him in some emotional conversation about her relationship with Superman, he just bluntly says something like “I don’t really do emotional discussions” and pivots right back to the task at hand. It’s not rude—it’s just pure, focused intellect at work. Later, when Superman is taking a breather during a crucial moment, Mr. Terrific calls out “Hey! Quit messin’ around!” and Superman responds with “I’m not messing around, I’m doing important stuff.” The back-and-forth between these two characters shows a mutual respect that feels earned.

But the absolute best moment—and I’m not exaggerating here—comes during the climactic battle when everything is on the line. A panicked LuthorCorp technician asks Mr. Terrific if he’s sure he can handle the complex systems needed to save the city. Without missing a beat, Gathegi delivers what might be the most badass line in the entire movie: “I don’t need any help! I’m goddamned Mr. Terrific!” The way he says it, with that perfect mix of confidence and exasperation, had the entire theater erupting in applause. It’s a line that perfectly captures both the character’s supreme intelligence and his no-nonsense attitude.

What makes Mr. Terrific so special in this film is that he’s not just comic relief or a side character filling space. James Gunn has said that of all the supporting heroes, Mr. Terrific has the biggest role in the actual plot, and it shows. He’s the one who figures out Lex Luthor’s dimensional prison technology, he’s the one who can actually operate the complex systems needed to save Metropolis, and he does it all with this wonderful blend of scientific precision and dry wit. His T-Spheres—those floating robotic orbs that can do pretty much anything—are seamlessly integrated into the action sequences, never feeling like a gimmick.

Gathegi brings such a grounded, authentic performance to what could have been a very over-the-top character. There’s even subtle autism coding in his portrayal—the way he maintains his calm, focused demeanor, his blunt communication style, and his occasional moments of frustration when others don’t operate at his intellectual level. It all feels very genuine and adds depth to the character.

Krypto Steals Every Scene

Here’s something that had me grinning from ear to ear: we finally get to see Krypto the Super-Dog in live action, and it’s absolutely perfect. James Gunn modeled the character after his own rescue dog, Ozu, and you can feel that personal connection in every scene. The way Krypto bounds around, causing just as much chaos as he prevents, feels so authentic to anyone who’s ever owned a dog. It’s that perfect balance of “good boy” and “oh no, what did you do now?” The CGI work is seamless, and honestly, I found myself caring about this flying furball just as much as I did about Superman himself.

Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor Is Diabolically Good

Now, let’s talk about Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, because wow. This guy has managed to create a Lex that stands proudly alongside Gene Hackman’s scenery-chewing mastermind and Michael Rosenbaum’s calculating Smallville version. Hoult brings this manic energy that’s both terrifying and oddly charismatic—you can see why people would follow him even as you’re rooting for Superman to stop him. There’s something almost Tom Cruise-esque about his intensity, and it works perfectly for a tech mogul villain who thinks he’s saving the world by destroying its greatest hero.

Ignoring the Noise

Look, I have to address the elephant in the room. Dean Cain recently made some comments about the film being too “woke,” and honestly? I’m just going to ignore that noise. Here’s a guy who literally had a scene in his own Lois & Clark show where Superman was asked for his green card because he was an alien. Superman has always been an immigrant story—it’s literally about a refugee from a dying planet who becomes Earth’s greatest protector. That’s not “woke,” that’s just Superman.

Dean Cain seems to be trying to stay relevant by stirring up controversy, but you know what? Not everything in life needs to be political. Sometimes a movie about a guy in a cape saving the world is just that—a movie about a guy in a cape saving the world. And judging by the loud applause at the end of my showing and all the laughter throughout the film, audiences are just happy to have fun at the movies again.

Pure Cinematic Joy

This Superman succeeds because it remembers something that a lot of superhero movies have forgotten: it’s okay to have fun. James Gunn, who gave us the Guardians of the Galaxy films, knows how to balance humor with heart, spectacle with character. The film never takes itself so seriously that it forgets to be entertaining, but it also never mocks its own premise.

The action sequences are thrilling, the emotional beats hit just right, and there’s this underlying sense of optimism that feels desperately needed right now. In a world that can feel pretty dark sometimes, watching David Corenswet’s Superman inspire hope and bring out the best in people is exactly the kind of escapism I needed.

The Kid in All of Us

At the end of the day, Superman works because it understands that the best superhero stories aren’t really about the superpowers—they’re about the person underneath the costume. James Gunn has crafted a film that honors the character’s 80-plus year legacy while still feeling fresh and relevant for 2025. Whether you’re a longtime fan who still gets misty-eyed thinking about Christopher Reeve, or someone discovering the character for the first time, this Superman has something for everyone.

So do yourself a favor: grab some popcorn, find the biggest screen you can, and let yourself believe a man can fly again. Trust me, your inner eight-year-old will thank you for it.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Five out of five capes)

Superman is now playing in theaters everywhere. Go see it. Seriously. What are you waiting for?