July 11, 2025: Before watching James Gunn’s Superman — the film meant to usher in a new chapter for DC’s cinematic universe — I wasn’t optimistic. As a longtime critic and Superman enthusiast (I even wrote Superman: The Unauthorized Biography), I’ve admired Gunn’s past works like Slither and Guardians of the Galaxy, but I’ve also grown wary of his tendencies toward juvenile humor (Peacemaker) and manufactured sentiment (Guardians 3).
Yet Gunn’s take on Superman surprised me — and even won me over.
At the heart of my understanding of the character are two immutable traits:
- Selflessness – Superman always puts others first.
- Resolve – He never gives up, no matter the odds.
To deviate from these is to betray the very essence of Superman. But Gunn’s Superman not only respects these ideals, it adds a third:
Corniness — sincere, unapologetic corniness.
From his first on-screen word (“Golly”) to his old-school sense of justice and music taste (he listens to vanilla pop-punk), Gunn’s Superman (played by David Corenswet) doesn’t try to be edgy or brooding. He’s earnest — and yes, corny — in a way that feels radical in today’s age of self-aware, too-cool-for-feelings superheroes.
One standout moment comes when he’s asked why he saved thousands of lives. His answer? A simple, baffled:
“Why? I mean… to do good! For, you know… good!”
There’s no calculated branding, no smug speech. Just a superhero who believes in people.
Visually, Gunn leans into the nostalgia. The red trunks are back — loud, proud, and full granny-panty. It’s a bold return to the Joe Shuster original, reminding us that Superman is, and always was, a symbol of old-school strength, hope, and optimism.
In an era of cynical antiheroes, Superman reclaims sincerity — and makes it look powerful again.