James Gunn’s Superman: Colorful, Action-Packed, and Divisive — Here’s What Fans and Critics Are Saying

The DC Universe is getting a full reboot under James Gunn, and his new Superman has finally landed. While some fans are praising the fresh tone, bold cameos, and deep-cut comic book nods, others say it’s missing the emotional core that defines the Man of Steel.

From Ultraman twists to Justice Gang debuts and a surprising Peacemaker cameo, Gunn’s take is sparking debates across the fandom.

A Justice Gang Debut That Works

One of the strongest elements for many fans was the introduction of the Justice Gang — a lineup including Superman, Mister Terrific, Hawkgirl, and Metamorpho. Each character had moments to shine:

• Mister Terrific brought the brains and banter.

• Metamorpho joined in for the climax, helping stop the war.

• Hawkgirl, though underused, scored a memorable scene taking down a dictator.

Critics agree this wasn’t just about merchandising — it was about opening up the DCU to a wider roster, making future team-ups and crossovers more exciting.

The Ultraman Twist

The big villain reveal? Ultraman — a clone of Superman created under Lex Luthor’s watchful eye.

• The twist played as a commentary on the “evil Superman” trope.

• With Luthor feeding Ultraman Superman’s every move after years of observation, the battles were more chess match than slugfest.

• Exposure to kryptonite and being matched against his own physical equal explained why this Superman took more hits than fans are used to.

Still, some viewers weren’t sold, asking: “If you’re Superman, why are you getting beat up so much?”

Peacemaker Crashes the Party

One of the movie’s most unexpected (and crowd-cheering) moments was a quick cameo from John Cena’s Peacemaker, a decidedly R-rated character in a PG-13 family film.

Fans took this as a signal that Gunn isn’t afraid to blur tonal lines, hinting that upcoming projects like Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow could push the PG-13 envelope into darker, grittier territory.

Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow — A Gritty Future?

Gunn has confirmed that Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow will take inspiration from Tom King’s run — a stark departure from the wholesome Superman image. This version of Kara Zor-El is:

• Hard-drinking.

• More cynical and battle-worn.

• Closer to True Grit in space than traditional family-friendly fare.

While some applaud the boldness, others worry it strips away the aspirational, hopeful tone younger audiences expect from Kryptonian heroes.

The Gunn Signature — and Its Critics

James Gunn’s fingerprints are all over Superman:

• Ensemble cast chemistry similar to Guardians of the Galaxy.

• Colorful visuals and humor that echo Marvel’s style.

• Deep-cut comic book references for die-hard fans.

However, not all feedback is glowing. One YouTube reviewer summed it up:

“It’s a colorful, entertaining, two-hour PG-13 disappointment. I like Gunn’s movies, but this one lacked the stoic, emotional core of Superman.”

The biggest complaints include:

• Too much Marvel-style quipping.

• Superman feeling reactive rather than inspirational.

• Missing that iconic sense of moral gravitas.

Merchandising, Cameos, and DCU Expansion

Even Gunn’s critics acknowledge his strategic setup:

• The Justice Gang opens the door for future crossovers.

• Peacemaker bridges the TV/film gap.

• Ultraman’s defeat closes the “evil Superman” chapter — for now.

From a business standpoint, it’s a merchandising goldmine. From a storytelling standpoint, it’s a sign the DCU will hopscotch across tones and genres — from family adventure to darker, more adult-leaning fare.

Final Verdict: Love It or Leave It?

For some fans, Gunn delivered a vibrant, modern Superman that connects the DCU puzzle pieces while keeping the action front and center. For others, it’s a fun-but-flawed blockbuster missing the emotional weight that defines the character.

Rating Consensus: 7.5/10 — Fun, flawed, and definitely worth seeing for the cameos, action, and DCU setup.

Watch & Read More:
📽 Stream James Gunn’s previous hits like The Suicide Squad and Guardians of the Galaxy.
📚 Read Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow by Tom King to see what’s coming next.
🎮 Check out DCU collectibles and merch from Superman on Amazon and ShopDC.com.