PopcornAndPassport

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Is the New Superman Actually a Romantic Comedy? Kind of.

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I’m going to start with a confession that might get me cyberbullied by fans of the man in the cape: Superman has always been my least favourite superhero. Bland. Overpowered. Zero personality. I’ve been an MCU girlie since the moment Tony Stark sarcastically invented a whole identity in a cave with scraps.


So imagine my shock, existential and otherwise, when I found myself voluntarily watching a DC movie. All credit goes to the marketing team behind the new Superman. Specifically, the social media manager who deserves a raise.

I mean, c’mon? This threesome is adorable.

So there I was, MCU loyalty card hidden in my back pocket, with zero prior Superman knowledge except that he’s an alien, he’s into Lois, and sometimes he wears glasses as a disguise, and apparently that works?
Basically, I walked into the theatre as the ideal test subject — a blank canvas with no Zack Snyder trauma.

What’s This Movie Even About?

Without giving you spoilers, James Gunn’s Superman (2025) introduces a younger, more emotionally clumsy Clark Kent/Superman trying to figure out this whole “being human” thing while juggling daily journalism and the minor inconvenience of having to save the world. It’s not an origin story per se (thank Krypton), but it’s his first rodeo balancing moral responsibility with a touch of Gen-Z awkwardness?
Lois is sharp-tongued and a bit wary of Clark’s doe-eyed innocence. Lex is the rich guy who’s smart enough to make you uncomfortable but too petty to be a real threat yet. There’s also Krypto, the scene-stealing dog who is somehow more emotionally layered than half the Justice League.

So, what’s the verdict?

This might be the most emotionally available version of Superman ever. The guy saves squirrels. Squirrels. He can bench-press the moon, but also looks like he might cry if a pigeon gave him attitude.
The tone? Light. The lighting? Softer than a Glossier ad. The overall vibe? Rom-com with a side of capes.

It’s a story about a pure-hearted alien who genuinely wants to save everyone, without hurting anyone, including monsters. This Superman wants a peaceful resolution and maybe a group hug after.
And that’s what makes it weirdly… adorable?
In fact, most of the time, you find yourself being more impressed by everyone except Superman. Lois has more edge. Lex has his obsession. Krypto has more bite (literally). And yet, there’s something compelling about this wholesome dude in a red cape who’s trying so hard to make Earth work. Not to mention he looks beautiful, so he’s this adorable simp that you feel bad for.

What’s Missing?

A good existential, planet-ending threat. I want to feel that MCU-style goosebumps moment when the gang assembles and an iconic line before the big punch. But this movie? The climax is…meh. No crowd-cheering moment. No teary-eyed triumph.
So if you walked in expecting a Justice League-style slugfest or a gritty Zach Snyder cut, you’re going to walk out disappointed. But if you came for vibes, banter, and a breezy intro to the man in the cape, this might just be it.
It’s not intense, not explosive, and not for purists. But if you’re looking for something new, a charming, self-aware take on the Man of Steel, this might be your jam.


And if not, there’s always Batman (The Christopher Nolan Trilogy)


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