Superman Returns in Full Force: James Gunn’s Bold New Start for DC

Frank and Squeaks dive headfirst into James Gunn’s Superman, the movie that's recharging DC with new energy and old-school heart. They break down everything—from the pacing that mimics a stack of comics, to character performances, visual highs and lows, and why this might be one of the most human versions of Superman we’ve ever seen. They also debate Guy Gardner’s scene-stealing turn, Lex Luthor’s layered villainy, the potential setup for Bizarro, and what it all means for the future of the DC Universe. This one’s packed, passionate, and full of geeky joy.

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Timestamps and Topics:

• 00:00 Welcome and Opening Thoughts

• 00:27 Initial Reactions and Hype Level

• 01:13 Fast Pacing and Comic Book Feel

• 02:10 James Gunn’s Signature Style

• 03:30 Thoughts on the Plot and Accessibility for New Fans

• 04:20 Lex Luthor’s Role and Future Setup

• 05:36 All-Star Superman Comparisons

• 06:00 Kryptonian Parents Twist and Its Impact

• 08:30 Cancel Culture and Superman’s PR Weakness

• 09:58 Mr. Terrific and the Unexpected Standout

• 11:00 Guy Gardner's Surprising Depth and Humor

• 13:15 Hawkgirl and the Performance Letdown

• 15:00 The New Superman: Human, Hopeful, and Heroic

• 18:16 Lois Lane’s Portrayal and Rachel Brosnahan’s Performance

• 20:00 Daily Planet Crew: A Bit Too Involved?

• 22:30 Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor and the Two-Layered Villain

• 25:00 Engineer and Ultraman Discussion + Bizarro Theory

• 29:00 Visual Storytelling and Cinematography Highlights

• 32:00 CGI Thoughts and Krypto's Role

• 36:00 Green Lantern Constructs: Unique and Personality-Driven

• 38:30 Superman’s Power Progression and Final Battle

• 40:30 Tone and Themes: Can This Superman Fit with Batman?

• 43:00 Final Thoughts on Justice League Potential

• 44:00 Favorite Scenes and End-Credit Surprises

• 47:00 Final Scores and Rewatchability

• 50:00 IMAX Worthy? Our Theatrical Recommendation

• 51:00 Closing Remarks

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Key Takeaways:

• James Gunn’s Superman blends nostalgic charm with a modern, fast-paced narrative.

• David Corenswet’s Superman is emotionally grounded and feels deeply human.

• Lex Luthor, played by Nicholas Hoult, delivers a fresh take that balances public genius with private obsession.

• Guy Gardner and Mr. Terrific both exceed expectations, with standout scenes that highlight their personalities.

• The film’s pacing mirrors a comic book run—nonstop but rewarding.

• The twist about Superman’s Kryptonian parents adds emotional weight without breaking canon.

• Visual storytelling uses lighting—especially sunlight—as a powerful symbolic tool.

• Bizarro may be hinted at for future films, adding another exciting layer.

• While some characters like Hawkgirl were underwhelming, others like Krypto left a lasting impact.

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Quotes:

• “This is the Superman I pretended to be when I was running around the house as a kid.” – Frank

• “Lex Luthor isn’t trying to rule the world—he’s just obsessed with stopping Superman.” – Squeaks

• “It feels like you picked up a stack of DC comics and read them in one sitting.” – Squeaks

• “David Corenswet might be the most human Superman we’ve seen on screen.” – Frank

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Listener Questions:
Got a favorite Superman comic? Think Lex was right? Send us your questions or hot takes and we might feature them in a future episode! Hit us up on social or email us via the site.

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Apple Podcast Tags:
Superman 2025, James Gunn, DC Universe, David Corenswet, Superman review, Geek Freaks podcast, Lois Lane, Lex Luthor, Green Lantern, Mr. Terrific, Bizarro, Kryptonite, superhero movies, comic book movies, DC Comics podcast, movie reviews, geek culture, comic book podcast, Squeaks and Frank, Metropolis, Krypto the dog, superhero analysis, IMAX movies, All-Star Superman, Superman vs Lex, DC cinematic universe