Reviewed by The Update | Entertainment Section
They brought back the red, the blue, the yellow… and the heart.
★★★★☆
4 out of 5 stars
The Man of Steel flies again – and this time, he’s smiling.
After years of brooding, desaturated, chin-scratching Superman movies, this one finally remembers what made the character soar in the first place: warmth, optimism, and a genuine belief that people are worth saving. The shift to a bold primary color palette is more than just a visual refresh, it’s a mission statement. This Superman isn’t hiding in the shadows; he’s standing in the sunlight.
Characters with Heart (and a Dog Who Steals the Show)
The story’s as complete and satisfying as a classic comic-book one-shot, but what really makes it work is the tone. Superman isn’t just a godlike alien here, he’s the farm kid from Kansas who believes in helping strangers, no matter what it costs him. That thread runs straight into the film’s boldest choice: leaning into his identity as an illegal immigrant. In a political climate where the U.S. government’s anti-immigrant stance is headline news, that’s not just relevant, it’s radical.
Then there’s the dog. Oh, the dog. Every scene with him is pure serotonin. Entire nations could be healed if we just projected this pupper’s screen time on a loop.
Lois, Chemistry, and Missed Opportunities
Lois Lane is played brilliantly here, fizzing with chemistry opposite Superman/Clark from the moment they share a frame. It’s the kind of spark you can’t fake, so it’s a shame the script keeps them apart for long stretches. We wanted more dialogue, more quiet moments, more of that His Girl Friday back-and-forth that makes their relationship feel like the heartbeat of Metropolis.
A Story That Dares
The film doesn’t just play it safe with blue skies and rescues. It’s brave enough to weave in real-world parallels, including clear allusions to a certain conflict raging in the Middle East. Without turning into a lecture, the narrative mirrors our world in a way that feels unflinching yet human, a choice that’ll probably ruffle feathers but absolutely makes the film richer.
The Superman We Needed
This is a Superman movie with generosity in its DNA, not just in the hero’s actions, but in how it treats its audience. No cynical winks, no endless setup for spin-offs, no “you’ll understand this later if you buy the tie-in novel.” Just a complete, heartfelt story about a man who can fly and a world that desperately needs him to.
The Update’s Projected Superman Sequel Timeline:
- 2026: Title revealed – Superman: The Second Sunrise. Internet argues for weeks over whether “sunrise” is a metaphor or just… a sunrise.
- 2027: First promo image released – it’s Superman hugging the dog. World peace briefly achieved.
- 2028: Trailer drops; every frame becomes a meme template.
- 2029: Film premieres to a wave of “This is what the DCEU should’ve been” tweets.
- 2030: Third film announced: Superman: Dog of Tomorrow. Entire marketing campaign revolves around the dog. Nobody complains.
Final Verdict
Superman isn’t just a comeback, it’s a reclamation. Warm, bold, politically aware, and unafraid to remind us that even the strongest man on Earth started as a stranger looking for a home. Four stars, and we’d happily give the dog an Oscar.
