Superman praised as the "perfect superhero movie" in first reactions – read them here (original) (raw)
Superman is finally flying into cinemas this week and first reactions have called it "the perfect superhero movie".
It marks the first movie of the new DC Universe, led by James Gunn and Peter Safran, with Gunn writing and directing the latest big-screen version of Superman.
Following its world premiere yesterday, those lucky few to have already seen Superman have taken to social media to share their first reactions. (Full reviews are embargoed until later today.)
"James Gunn's Superman is the perfect superhero movie and a terrific start for the new DC Studios," wrote Fandango's Erik Davis. "Watching it felt like ripping open a comic book & feasting on its wild, chaotic imagination."
Gizmodo's Germain Lussier praised: "Superman soars. It's a non-stop joyride, packed with humour, action, and emotion. There's spectacle to spare, unbridled optimism, and a goofy unpredictability that ties everything together, even when there are a few minor issues."
"The movie is loaded with exhilarating action set pieces and well-placed humor and levity, but the beating heart of the film is Superman's humanity, and his insistence on doing good and making the world a better place," added Collider's Perri Nemiroff.
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Warner Bros.
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Other early reactions said David Corenswet "truly shines" as Superman and also "nails the Clark's truest nature: a midwest dork trapped in a hunk body", while the movie has also been compared to Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy.
Superman sees Corenswet take on the iconic DC role, with Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. The cast also includes Anthony Carrigan, Nathan Fillion, Wendell Pierce and more.
But there's also another A-lister in the cast who probably wasn't meant to be revealed until after release.
Gunn has confirmed that Bradley Cooper also appears in Superman as Jor-El, a cameo that was filmed as a "favour" to the filmmaker.
Warner Bros.
Related: James Gunn defends including Superman's red trunks
Ahead of the movie's release, Gunn also had to deny reports that Superman had a runtime of only 122 minutes, confirming that its runtime is actually a little bit longer at 129 minutes.
That's still one of the shortest Superman movies, but based on the first reactions, it sounds as though you won't be disappointed.
Superman is released in cinemas on 11 July.
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Movies Editor, Digital Spy Ian has more than 10 years of movies journalism experience as a writer and editor. Starting out as an intern at trade bible Screen International, he was promoted to report and analyse UK box-office results, as well as carving his own niche with horror movies, attending genre festivals around the world. After moving to Digital Spy, initially as a TV writer, he was nominated for New Digital Talent of the Year at the PPA Digital Awards. He became Movies Editor in 2019, in which role he has interviewed 100s of stars, including Chris Hemsworth, Florence Pugh, Keanu Reeves, Idris Elba and Olivia Colman, become a human encyclopedia for Marvel and appeared as an expert guest on BBC News and on-stage at MCM Comic-Con. Where he can, he continues to push his horror agenda – whether his editor likes it or not.