Early reactions to Superman are here, and they are shocking

Unlike its titular characters, the previous iteration of the DC Extended Universe failed to soar high and impress superhero fans. As such, the studio was presented with the difficult choice of shifting its focus and trying to capitalize on the sagas and characters that did find success, or risk it all and start from scratch once again with no second chances. Eventually, a new version of the DC Universe was announced, and the first movie set to take place in it is none other than Superman.

It would be an understatement to say that all eyes are set on the Man of Steel. He currently holds the weight of an entire interconnected universe on his shoulders, and fans are eager to learn if he can still fly despite that or not. Fortunately, Superman's social media embargo has been lifted in anticipation of the movie's release, and we finally have some long-awaited answers. So, does DC have a hit on its hands? Or is the studio doomed to repeat history once again?

Early reactions to Superman aren't only great, they are super(b)

Any studio attempting to launch a cinematic universe hopes its first project manages to reach unprecedented new heights. Otherwise, it risks dying out before it properly takes off (as was the case with Universal's Dark Universe). Fortunately, Superman is shaping up to be not only an amazing stand-alone movie in itself, but also a sign of promising things to come, as evidenced by the movie's early reactions.

Phase Hero's Brandon Davis states Superman brought him tears of joy, which is one of the best compliments any movie could receive. You'll notice that a common pattern in most reactions is that they agree this is the closest we've ever seen a comic book issue brought to life. Given the sheer amount of superhero projects released in recent memory, it's nice to learn that Superman stands out for all the right reasons.

Veteran DC account, DC Film News, puts special emphasis on the movie's emotional resonance. As expected from a project starring Clark Kent, it appears to be filled with heart, optimism, and hope. Furthermore, David Corenswet's portrayal of Superman is unanimously praised, and he isn't the only one. As we're about to see in other reactions, many state that such a righteous hero did meet a worthy opponent in the form of Nicholas Hoult's Lex Luthor.

One of the minor nitpicks you'll see about Superman is that it might feel a bit too cheesy in its quest of trying to capture the essence of a comic book story. TV host Brandon Pope places emphasis on this idea, yet he still has a lot of praise for the movie. Brandon claims the latest superhero epic is exactly "what we needed".

When watching a superhero movie, it's impossible not to try to find many different easter eggs and hints of where the saga will be heading next. So will Superman keep this trend going? Well, according to freelance writer Nicola Austin, that's exactly the case. Fans are in for a shocking ride that won't hold back on the cameos and secrets, along with the action scenes. The only downside is that a few sequences might not look so polished (which seems to be the norm in modern superhero projects). But aside from that? It's great to know Superman won't be just an amazing stand-alone movie, but also a perfect stepping stone for the DCU to build upon.

Overall, it seems Superman managed to soar high. You won't find anything but praise for David Corenswet, Nicholas Hoult, and Rachel Brosnahan's performances, and it seems the movie manages to balance all of its characters really well. There are many easter eggs for audiences to find, no shortage of emotional scenes, and a lot of action sequences to keep things engaging. But above all, it seems Superman managed to capture the hope and optimism its titular character is usually known for. In a time when making Clark Kent evil started to become the norm, it's nice to know we'll go back to basics.

As is the case with any movie, you'll also find some minor nitpicks. Some claim the VFX is questionable at best, and that there are a few cheesy moments that might distract from an otherwise fantastic movie. Others wish Clark and Lois had more scenes together, but that seems to be a direct result of the pair's fantastic chemistry. So, all things considered, it appears we're in for a memorable adventure that won't hold back in the slightest. Superman has finally arrived, and the wait was certainly worth it.

Superman will be released on Jul. 11, 2025.