Superman (2025) Review – The Melbourne IMAX Experience

It’s been over a decade since Warner Bros. released a standalone Superman film (2013), which birthed a whole universe of darker superhero outings, unlike the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). This universe, dubbed the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), was helmed by Zack Snyder and concluded with Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023), ending the franchise with a whimper and leaving the future of these heroes on the big screen in uncertain territory.

Along comes James Gunn, whose Superman marks a noticeable tonal shift for the Man of Steel, aiming for a more hopeful and vibrant feel reminiscent of Christopher Reeve’s 1978 Superman. It largely succeeds in capturing the essence of the character as a beacon of truth and kindness, rather than a grim, weighty interpretation. After defeating his arch-nemesis in the current film, Superman sums up his humanity perfectly to Lex Luthor: “I wake up every morning and, despite not knowing what to do, I put one foot in front of the other and try to make the best choices I can.”

This is the new Man of Steel.

The film drops you into a world where metahumans already exist, allowing the narrative to forgo a traditional origin story and jump straight into the challenges Superman faces. This established world feels lived-in, populated with familiar faces from the DC universe (Mr Terrific, Green Lantern Guy Gardner, Hawkgirl, Metamorpho), though sometimes the sheer number of characters can feel dense, especially for anyone not steeped in DC Comics beyond Batman and Wonder Woman, who are set to arrive in future films.

Best of all, the casting is perfect. David Corenswet embodies Superman with an earnest charm and a strong moral conviction, looking every inch the last son of Krypton. He portrays a hero who truly wants to do good simply because it’s the right thing and his humanity shines through. Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane is sharp and capable, a strong presence who holds her own, just like the comics. Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor brings a smarmy, tech-bro sensibility to his obsessive nature and could be considered the definitive version of this character.

The supporting cast is equally spot-on. Wendell Pierce as Perry White, Jonah Lees as Jimmy Olsen, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl and Edi Gathegi as Mr Terrific, who deserves his own movie outright all bring their characters to life in an exceptional manner. The film also doesn’t shy away from moments of levity and even humour, but it also tackles more serious themes, particularly societal reactions to power and the role of heroes in a complex world, drawing clear parallels to the real world, including military conflicts across the globe.

On IMAX, the action sequences are dynamic and colourful, often prioritising the act of saving over simply fighting, which aligns perfectly with Superman’s character. Simply seeing Maxwell Lord’s Justice Gangled by Guy Gardner, Hawkgirl and Metamorpho take on Boravia’s soldiers as they invade the fictitious country of Jarhanpur is almost worth the admission price alone.

The 3D effects really immerse you in the story, particularly in the Mr Terrific scene, where he takes down a small army run by Lex Luthor and it’s not just the larger-than-life action that impresses but also subtler touches, like the super-cute CGI-generated super dog named Krypto. Further, the sound at IMAX Melbourne is phenomenal, thanks to their custom 15,000-watt digital speaker array and twelve-channel system positioned strategically throughout the theatre that further cements your experience into this world of “gods” and “monsters”.

Final Thoughts?

While the film is largely engaging and a welcome return to a more optimistic Superman, it occasionally juggles so many plot threads and introduces so many elements that some parts feel rushed or underdeveloped. However, for those seeking a Superman movie that embraces the character’s core values of hope and heroism, this is a solid entry that sets a promising stage for the new DC Universe. It is one of the best and most refreshing instalments of a superhero film in many years, and if this is the future, it looks very bright under James Gunn’s guidance. It must also be experienced on IMAX to be fully immersed in this larger-than-life superhero universe, if not for the story, then for Krypto and the ‘super’ cameo at the end!

Check out more IMAX films at https://imaxmelbourne.com.au/