SUPERMAN First Review Calls DCU Reboot "Superficial And Silly" And Bemoans "Terrible," "Overstuffed" Movie

SUPERMAN First Review Calls DCU Reboot "Superficial And Silly" And Bemoans "Terrible," "Overstuffed" Movie

The first Superman review has been published from a major outlet, and it's overwhelmingly negative, arguing that very little works in James Gunn's first big screen addition to the new DCU. Check it out...

By JoshWilding - Jul 04, 2025 09:07 AM EST
Filed Under: Superman

The review embargo for Superman lifts next week. However, The Daily Beast inadvertently published its verdict last night, and while the site took it down pretty fast, it was up long enough to cause quite a stir among fans on social media. 

We won't name and shame the critic, as the review's publication isn't their fault. However, they are well-respected and have a history of writing for publications including Variety and Esquire Magazine. They're also no superhero hater, as this critic in question has positively reviewed the likes of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, and Thunderbolts*

The review begins by saying the reboot resembles a "Saturday morning cartoon" that's "overstuffed." It promises plenty of action, but adds that "the film is so awash in over-the-top CGI insanity that its slam-bang mayhem loses its punch."

The cast also doesn't receive much in the way of praise; while the review points out that David Corenswet looks the part, compared to Christopher Reeve and Henry Cavill, "he comes across as relatively slight, a situation exacerbated by the all-over-the-place nature of his saga."

It sounds like Superman rarely lets up, as the movie reportedly asks audiences "to hold on for dear life as it whiplashes about from one out-of-this-world locale and incident to another." There are also concerns that non-fans will find themself "adrift" due to the movie's "endless geekiness," with James Gunn's script accused of only "[feigning] interest in actual emotion." 

The humour is said to be lacking, as is the relationship between Clark Kent and Lois Lane; Nicholas Hoult's performance is overshadowed by the haphazard plot, largely because "Superman gets tangled up in fanciful nonsense that soon renders the entire affair superficial and silly." 

Most troubling is a comparison to Joss Whedon's Justice League, as Superman "overpopulates itself with heroes and villains it has neither the time nor the inclination to develop. Consequently, everyone and everything is two-dimensional, no matter that the director's imagery is sharp and vibrant."

And to top it off, the headline is: "Terrible New 'Superman' Is Final Nail In Superhero Cinema's Coffin."

As you can see here, the review is negative from start to finish, and while it is only one verdict, if this is indicative of what we can expect next week, it doesn't bode well for Superman. There are already rumblings about a lower-than-expected opening weekend, and if reviews (and, subsequently, word of mouth) aren't good, then the Man of Steel is likely to have a disastrous second weekend, even if it gets off to a strong start.

For all we know, every single other review will be glowing. However, this one raises some major concerns and suggests that Superman won't be the much-needed fresh start the DC brand so desperately needs. 

Superman arrives in theaters on July 11, 2025.

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Reginator
Reginator - 7/4/2025, 9:09 AM
Damn, I had hopes for this movie. Already gave up on FF.
Orphix
Orphix - 7/4/2025, 9:26 AM
@Reginator - I've done some quick maths - and taking this review in to account - I currently calculate it has scored 0% on Rotten Tomatoes.
dragon316
dragon316 - 7/4/2025, 10:01 AM
@Reginator - you letting stranger review tell you what to see how will you know if you like it or not if you yourself do not judge make your own opinion or n things in life , you ask chef is snail and fish eggs good chef says will you order dinner before not trying it ?

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PopBye
PopBye - 7/4/2025, 12:00 PM
@Reginator -

That's fine, I have given up on hope on either films. Both look great.
SuperiorHeckler
SuperiorHeckler - 7/4/2025, 12:12 PM
@Reginator - Something tells me that not only has Josh NOT given-up on the FF, he already has a gushing and praise-worthy draft review article just waiting for the premier that forced him to change into a fresh pair of MARVEL panties simply by typing it! 😆
JurassicClunge
JurassicClunge - 7/4/2025, 9:09 AM
User Comment Image

👀
vectorsigma
vectorsigma - 7/4/2025, 9:24 AM
@JurassicClunge - see you next week in the theaters sir!
JurassicClunge
JurassicClunge - 7/4/2025, 9:52 AM
@vectorsigma - I'll probably be there unless the reviews are so bad its not worth my time 😮‍💨

I doubt this movie will fall below like 70% on metacritic, RT etc so don't worry sir
dragon316
dragon316 - 7/4/2025, 10:03 AM
@JurassicClunge - you rather trust reviews let stranger reviews rotten tomatoes tell you what do in life instead of making you decision and opinion on life situations you may as well like movies avatar they great reviews and scores rotten tomatoes
JurassicClunge
JurassicClunge - 7/4/2025, 10:16 AM
@dragon316 - yes, to everything you just said my answer is yes



😘
bobevanz
bobevanz - 7/4/2025, 10:41 AM
@JurassicClunge - just another talking parrot for someone else lmao do you rely on others to eat and drink as well?
JurassicClunge
JurassicClunge - 7/4/2025, 11:10 AM
@bobevanz - yes, yes I do.... your gf is my maid 😌
Forthas
Forthas - 7/4/2025, 11:14 AM
@JurassicClunge -

User Comment Image
HashTagSwagg
HashTagSwagg - 7/4/2025, 9:09 AM
User Comment Image
Ryguy88
Ryguy88 - 7/4/2025, 9:46 AM
@HashTagSwagg - Why is Bella Ramsey crying this time?
KennKathleen
KennKathleen - 7/4/2025, 9:53 AM
@Ryguy88 - User Comment Image

User Comment Image
bobevanz
bobevanz - 7/4/2025, 10:44 AM
One review and you clowns jump all over it. Too bad most of you can't form your own [frick]ing opinion. I'm still going reeeeeeeeee
TheJok3r
TheJok3r - 7/4/2025, 9:09 AM
Not even The Dark Knight was able to win every critic over. Let's wait for the rest before jumping to conclusions.
TheNewYorkerr
TheNewYorkerr - 7/4/2025, 9:53 AM
@TheJok3r - 🤣
dragon316
dragon316 - 7/4/2025, 10:04 AM
@TheJok3r - find out people own opinion on subject not having strangers tell them what to do in life
TheJok3r
TheJok3r - 7/4/2025, 10:05 AM
@dragon316 - People don't have unlimited access to $$$, so if this movie doesn't review well, it will end up suffering at the box office.
bobevanz
bobevanz - 7/4/2025, 10:45 AM
@TheJok3r - if you can't afford one movie ticket then you have more problems than the quality of this movie
TheJok3r
TheJok3r - 7/4/2025, 10:57 AM
@bobevanz - If you have a family of 4 and you can only afford to watch one movie in July, would you go to the one with bad reviews ? If someone is going to plan an outing with friends and each one has a different schedule that makes seeing each other difficult, would they go to the movie with bad reviews ? There are many reasons as to why bad reviews can result in people not going to see a movie.
ReverseFlasher
ReverseFlasher - 7/4/2025, 9:09 AM
Wow this is going to be a big talking point for the next couple weeks
OptimusCrime
OptimusCrime - 7/4/2025, 9:11 AM
I would have never thought that Fantastix Four could be the best out of Jurassic, Superman and Fantastic four.

Im a mega fan of Jurassic Park, but Rebirth was terrible...

If Superman fails...oofff
KennKathleen
KennKathleen - 7/4/2025, 9:56 AM
@OptimusCrime - User Comment Image

User Comment Image

User Comment Image
dragon316
dragon316 - 7/4/2025, 10:07 AM
@MisterDoctor217 - that is true meaning of movies tv shows of entertainment sit down relax have good time let people who work in Hollywood who have had jobs in Hollywood nit pick movies us avergae hard working know nothing about being critic we know entertainment not nothing about being critic we never had job working hollywood
MisterDoctor217
MisterDoctor217 - 7/4/2025, 10:37 AM
@dragon316 -
Yeah I agree , getting worked up over some guys opinion is just not worth it.

Just to see the movie and if you enjoyed it , that’s what matters.

MisterDoctor217
MisterDoctor217 - 7/4/2025, 9:12 AM
Dang , that’s crazy.

Idk about the movie as a whole but from the trailers it definitely looks like a Saturday morning cartoon movie, like some of the MCU stuff (which is weird because some of those movies has trashed just with the trailer release and this one is being hailed as groundbreaking cinema lol)

For me it isn’t bad since I love Saturday morning cartoon comic book goodness (when well done) but we’ll see
MisterDoctor217
MisterDoctor217 - 7/4/2025, 9:12 AM
@MisterDoctor217 -
Some of those movies were **
Apophis71
Apophis71 - 7/4/2025, 9:59 AM
@MisterDoctor217 - For a blockbuster popcorn flick, and for kids, a saturday morning cartoon movie in live action can be exactly what many want, can do surprisingly well at the BO but then also can oft be trashed by critics at the same time so dunno what to read into any critic review along those lines.

I'll judge for myself when I watch end of the day, which will be at home but for many reasons other than if interested or not, simply rare I go to the movies anymore (costs, great home setup, wifes health, time, kids take themselves now so no added pressure from them etc).

I note the article points out he gave +ve reviews of Marvel films with no mention of how he has reviewed anything from DC, dunno if that is trying to make something out of nothing or an idication of the critic having a bias either and probably not worth reading into.
MisterDoctor217
MisterDoctor217 - 7/4/2025, 10:35 AM
@Apophis71 -
Yeah I mean it’s just one guys opinion at the end of the day, the actual verdict will with in the box office.

I definitely want to watch this one at the theater but I am not expecting much. Just seems that Gunn isn’t a good fit with the material.
The action scenes do look cool tho and that’s why I’m mostly looking forward to it lol
But yeah I agree with most of what you said
Apophis71
Apophis71 - 7/4/2025, 10:44 AM
@MisterDoctor217 - There are characters I can see Gunn being a good fit for, Superman I'm on the fence with in that regard but can understand why many will be nervous what he does with him. I mean it was like Tim Burton back in the day, always loved his movies (that I'd seen) and was on the fence if he would fit Batman, could see how it COULD work but unsure, but loved his take on it (and opened the door for a more serious Nolan version to be greenlit after the Adam West era IMO, both of which I also loved for vastly differing reasons).
Irregular
Irregular - 7/4/2025, 9:12 AM
Just remember, the same guy who reviewed Superman had seen Captain America Brave New World and had said.

"It’s been so long since a Marvel movie was good, we almost didn’t recognize it."

He also said this about Sinners (First horror film to receive an A on Cinemascore)

"Sinners’ Is the Worst Kind of Vampiric Bloodbath: A Sloppy One"

So yeah, I don't trust overly dramatic hyperbole reviews, especially from Nick Schager.
MisterDoctor217
MisterDoctor217 - 7/4/2025, 9:15 AM
@Irregular -

That’s always the excuse when some critics gives a bad review to a movie someone is really excited for

“remember guys don’t pay any attention to this because this critic didn’t like this very acclaimed movie, therefore he has no taste at all”

A lot of stuff is subjective
Specially movies , so of course everyone’s taste in movies will differ from your own
Irregular
Irregular - 7/4/2025, 9:18 AM
@MisterDoctor217 - Is it the excuse? Have you read their reviews? It's almost as if they want to be on the minority of the conversation and fill the review with hyperbole to get readers invested into negative backlash.
mountainman
mountainman - 7/4/2025, 9:19 AM
@MisterDoctor217 - If a reviewer has a track record of liking/disliking movies different from your personal taste, wouldn’t it make sense to ignore what that critic says about movies?
Wahhvacado
Wahhvacado - 7/4/2025, 9:20 AM
@Irregular - Sounds like he's trying to transition from the Daily Beast to IGN with their terrible takes
Irregular
Irregular - 7/4/2025, 9:22 AM
@Wahhvacado - IGN I trust a tiny bit more than Daily Beast. But I agree, some of their reviewers do the same shit that this guy is doing at Daily Beast.
MisterDoctor217
MisterDoctor217 - 7/4/2025, 9:24 AM
@Irregular -

If that was the case they’d just review every McCormack negatively.
And yes maybe it’s for clicks but then who cares? Just go see the movie and judge for yourself.

I read a lot of bad reviews and reactions for JW Rebirth and that didn’t piss me off and made me throw a tantrum.
I just went in , really liked the movie , and could see why some people would not enjoy it , but who cares because I had a great time and could look past all the flaws 🤷‍♂️
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