Superman

Superman is exactly what the character needed—hopeful, earnest, and full of heart. David Corenswet is phenomenal. He captures Clark's decency and Superman's strength without making either boring. His chemistry with Rachel Brosnahan's Lois is electric—they're flirty, challenging each other, and genuinely in love. Brosnahan brings real fire to Lois. Nicholas Hoult plays Lex as a tech-bro sociopath, which feels modern and menacing. James Gunn understands Superman. This isn't a brooding, conflicted hero—he's just a good person trying to help. The film embraces the character's earnestness without irony. Krypto the dog is surprisingly great and gets huge laughs. The supporting heroes add colour without overwhelming. The action is spectacular. Superman saving the falling child while "Kal-El" plays is genuinely moving. The third act gets overstuffed with CGI but never loses sight of character. The suit looks perfect—bright, hopeful, classic. Some pacing issues and the plot gets convoluted. But the heart is there. Gunn made a Superman film about kindness and compassion in a cynical world. It's refreshing. A strong start to the new DCU that gets the character right.