Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Nah, it’s the latest edition of Movie Reviews 2025, of course! Which this week comes hurtling towards you all the way from Metropolis.*
(*Not actually Metropolis, more a dimly lit room in central Manchester.)
Anyway, the reason Metropolis gets a mention in this week’s intro is because this week sees the release of a new Superman movie. The film is now playing in cinemas and looks likely to be one of this summer’s big box office hits.
And you can read all about Superman in this super edition of Movie Reviews 2025, which also includes reviews for zombie horror, Ziam, and mystery-thriller, Brick. Plus, ‘90s teen flick, Clueless arrives on 4K disc to celebrate its 30th anniversary.
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Now streaming…
Ziam (2025)
First up this week is the Thai zombie movie, Ziam. Directed by Kulp Kaljareuk, the movie stars Mark Prin Suparat, and Nuttanicha Dungwattanawanich, and tells the story of an ex-boxer who must rescue his girlfriend in the midst of a zombie outbreak.
In the film, climate change has created a global crisis. There are food and water shortages everywhere, mass civil unrest, and for the past ten years Siam has been cut off, with its citizens having to fend for themselves.
One survivor is former underground boxer, Singh. He currently works as a delivery driver, transporting supplies, but is looking to quit.
However, while Singh is busy making new plans, an even greater challenge has surfaced. A zombie outbreak occurs at the local hospital, and where there is one zombie it’s not long before there are more.
This proves especially problematic for Singh, as his girlfriend, Rin works at the hospital and is caught up in the middle of the horror. Rin’s only chance of survival relies on a rescue, but Singh will need to get a move on, as the government has plans to wipe the hospital off the map.
Now, there are great zombie movies, there are poor zombie movies, and then there are perfectly acceptable, middle-ground zombie movies. The sort of movies where the genre isn’t being pushed, but what’s on offer is serviceable.
And this is where Ziam exists. Ziam isn’t amazing, but it is a decent horror flick, which offers enough action to keep things moving along.
The first 30 minutes of Ziam are essentially the set-up, while the remaining hour is given over to the zombie-fest. From here, things run as you might expect, with the infected clawing at walls, windows, and the remains of their victims, while all associated snarling and grunting noises fill the air and blood is splattered around the screen.
In the midst of all the action is Singh’s mission to rescue Rin, who may or may not make it out of the hospital alive. Of course, there are challenges along the way, and a young boy is thrown into the mix for added drama.
It’s all standard stuff but so long as you’re ok with this, and you don’t mind the predictability of the film, you will be fine with what’s on offer. Just lower your expectations and there is fun to be had.
Ultimately, Ziam has been done before, and done better, but there’s nothing particularly wrong with the film. The zombie’s look gruesome enough, the fight sequences are well staged, and the run-time is about right.
There’s no need to rush to watch this one, but if you’re a fan of this kind of thing, then give it a whirl. Ziam is now streaming on Netflix.
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Now streaming…
Brick (2025)
Sticking with streaming for this next film, the German sci-fi mystery-thriller, Brick. Written and directed by Philip Koch, and starring Matthias Schweighöfer and Ruby O. Fee, Brick tells the story of a young couple who become trapped in their apartment building after it is encased in a mysterious wall.
In the film, Tim is a computer games programmer who lives with his architect girlfriend, Liv in a city centre apartment. The building is currently under renovation, as part of a three-month program of works, which are shortly set to conclude.
In recent times, things have not been easy for Tim and Liv, as they have suffered a personal tragedy. As a result, Liv has quit her job and is keen to just get away from it all, so that she can have a break from reality.
One night, Tim wakes up to find Liv is preparing to leave. She needs a change ASAP, and if he can’t go with her then she believes she is best going by herself.
However, as Liv attempts to exit the apartment, she discovers a strange brick-like wall is blocking the door way. As Liv and Tim check all the windows, they find they are blocked too.
To make matters worse, they have no phone signal, no wi-fi, the apartment intercom system is not working, and the water has been cut off. They have no way to communicate with that outside world, and no clue as to why this is happening.
Taking a simple premise, a limited location, and very few characters, Brick is a mostly effective little thriller which relies largely on mystery and suspense to tell its story. There are occasional moments of spectacle (a smashed floor here, some gunshots there), but the action is kept to a minimum to allow intrigue to drive the narrative.
And it drives it fairly well. Within the first ten minutes Brick sets out its stall, creating a hook, and then from here Tim and Liv’s predicament is explored as they try to work out what’s going on and how to escape.
As the story expands, a collection of neighbours are pulled into the drama, and they all move around the building as best as they can. While the exterior of the apartments are bricked up, they can move from floor-to-floor with the aid of a few tools, all the while attempting to uncover the truth along the way.
As the mystery unfolds, there is plenty of room for conversation and character discussion, particularly between Tim and Liv. Prior to the imposed lockdown, the couple were facing troubles in their relationship, and the walls make them address their issues by removing the ability to just walk away.
If this were an episode of a television show, it would be the budget-saving ‘bottle episode’, which places dialogue above big set pieces. As it stands, it is the budget-friendly film which is ideal for streaming.
While the set-up is much stronger than the pay-off, Brick is decent stuff. The premise is intriguing, the narrative is pretty sturdy, and the staging is effective.
Brick is arguably a little too long for the story it is telling, but it doesn’t overstay its welcome. If you want an engaging night in, Brick is now streaming on Netflix.
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On disc…
Clueless (1995)
Over to disc now, and out on 4K UHD is the delightful ‘90s teen comedy, Clueless. The film arrives on 4K disc to celebrate its 30th anniversary, because yes, Clueless is now 30 years old, which quite frankly seems ridiculous.
The good news is, despite the years on the calendar, Clueless still remains as fresh and as humorous as ever. And with ‘90s fashion currently in vogue (have you seen what the kids are wearing?), it’s as if very little time has passed at all.
Directed by Amy Heckerling, Clueless stars Alicia Silverstone, Stacey Dash, Paul Rudd, Donald Faison, Breckin Meyer, and the late Brittany Murphy. The movie follows the trials and tribulations of Cher Horowitz, a 16-year-old high school student who lives in a Beverly Hills mansion and wants to be a positive force for good.
In the movie, Cher attempts to do various good deeds at her school, including igniting a romance between her teachers, Mr. Hall and Miss Geist, and performing a makeover on new transfer student, Tai, to help her impress the boys. However, while Cher goes around helping others, it becomes quite clear she is clueless about her own love life, leading to an unexpected (and entertaining) journey of self-discovery.
From Alicia Silverstone’s impeccable performance, through to the aforementioned fashion choices, and the killer dialogue, Clueless is a superb ‘90s film, and arguably one of the best – certainly within the teen coming-of-age genre. Conceived as a loose adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma, the film manages to update the ideas and themes from the original text, while presenting an easily accessible tale for more contemporary audiences.
Plus, it’s ruddy funny! Clueless is incredibly witty, with light doses of satire which carefully make fun of the decade, the Beverly Hills glitz, and the lifestyle of a ‘90s teen.
Should you want to grab a copy of Clueless on 4K disc, the movie is available via two editions: Regular and Limited Edition Steelbook. The regular edition is priced £22.99, while the Steelbook is £39.99.
However, should you want to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Clueless at a more wallet-friendly price, you could pick up a standard DVD or Blu-ray copy (which have been available for a while) at a far more affordable rate. You’ll miss out on the 4K, but the older editions will only cost you around £6.99, leaving you enough money to splash out on a celebratory cake and bottle of fizz, or a bag of Doritos and a Sprite if you want to relive the ‘90s.
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In cinemas…
Superman (2025)
And finally, now playing in cinemas worldwide is the highly-anticipated comic book movie, Superman. Written and directed by James Gunn, the film stars David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult, Edi Gathegi, Anthony Carrigan, Nathan Fillion, and Isabela Merced, and acts as both a reboot of the Superman movie series, and the first film in the new DC Universe.
Yep, Henry Cavill’s Superman is no more, and there’s a new Super-Guy in town. There’s also no more DC Extended Universe, so (for now) you can cast aside Man of Steel (2013), Wonder Woman (2017), The Flash (2023), or any of the more recent DC movies you haven’t watched, as they are no longer relevant.
All you need to know is this is a new era for DC. Superman is the first movie in this universe, further films will follow, and when we meet up with Superman, he’s already a fully-fledged hero, with a secret identity, a pet pooch named Krypto, and an enemy in Lex Luthor.
Speaking of which, Luthor is up to his old tricks again, attempting to discredit Superman. During the course of the film he manages to turn public opinion against the caped wonder, leaving Superman fighting to clear his name.
But this is not the only battle Superman must face. He also has to take on new villains Ultraman and The Engineer, and keep an eye on a war which is brewing between two nations.
Now, whether you followed the Henry Cavill Superman movies or not, one of the big criticisms of those films was just how dark and/or sombre the character was. It wasn’t Cavill’s fault, he was merely working with the material he was given, but the general direction taken was to make Superman like Batman.
Problem is, Superman isn’t Batman. The Dark Knight is supposed to be all dark and brooding, while Superman is meant to be a more hopeful, lighter character.
Superman is the ultimate good guy. He’s the big boy scout, who does the right thing even if it’s not the edgy or cool thing to do.
Writer/director James Gunn understands this, which is why this latest take on the Man of Steel is a brighter, more optimistic picture. Superman is also far more comic book-y than we’ve seen before, and isn’t afraid to put some of the more goofier elements of the mythology on the screen.
You want edgy Superman? Sorry, that’s been and gone.
We’re now in the era of kaiju attacking the city; Luthor tinkering with pocket dimensions; and a cape-wearing super dog named Krypto! Gunn isn’t afraid to show off Superman’s comic book roots, and for the most part it all plays out rather well.
What instantly works in Superman’s favour is that Gunn has completely dispensed with all the backstory. This film doesn’t waste time on showing the doomed planet Krypton or the rocket ship carrying baby Kal-El; it works from the premise that audiences already know Superman’s origin.
Instead, the film jumps into things three years into Superman’s career. Clark Kent already works at the Daily Planet, Superman has previously established himself as a hero, and Lex Luthor is shady.
From here, the movie then builds a story which involves Superman getting a little too involved in political unrest and Luthor toiling away at a nefarious scheme in the background. These two story beats prove to be far more connected than they first appear, and things spiral from here.
Along the way, Superman’s Fortress of Solitude reveals a damaging secret; Krypto demonstrates considerable behavioural problems; and heroes including Mr. Terrific, Hawkgirl, and Green Lantern are brought in for good measure. There’s also some potentially world-ending peril, which requires a superhero team-up to save the day.
Fronting the picture is Corenswet who is very likeable as Superman, and comes across as an amalgamation of past iterations of the hero. He boasts the handsome good looks of Cavill, the charm of Dean Cain, and the charisma of Tyler Hoechlin.
His Clark doesn’t quite land as well as some of the others, but his Superman is fab. When the credits roll, you can’t wait to see him again.
One or two other casting choices are great too. Nicholas Hoult is marvellous as Luthor, Edi Gathegi is fun as Mister Terrific, and Anthony Carrigan delivers a short but memorable turn as The Element Man (aka Metamorpho). And then there’s Nathan Fillion who is brilliant as Green Lantern aka Guy Gardner.
Not only does Fillion look the part, with comic book accurate naff haircut in check, but he also nails Gardner’s abrasive attitude. Superman has a number of laughs, and some of the best come from Fillion, so hopefully we’ll see plenty more of him in future films.
Unfortunately, while the above actors all fill out their parts marvellously, not all of the casting works. Where Superman falters is largely in some of the other supporting players that just seem to lack the sparkle or gravitas needed.
Characters such as Ma and Pa Kent, Perry White, and Cat Grant come and go, often feeling a little flat (and that’s being generous) and none of their respective actors feel right. Sadly, they are not the only ones, and if Gunn drops the ball in one area it’s in this department, with even some of the background extras looking a tad amateur.
Incidentally, those extras spend the majority of their time running from one collapsing building to another, proving that Metropolis is a city you simply wouldn’t want to live in. The average citizen must spend hours in therapy, never knowing if they are going to make it from one day to the next.
Anyway, the less-than-successful casting aside, Superman makes up for this misstep with great action scenes (some of the best in a Superman film); plenty of sci-fi imagery; and a good handle on Superman’s character. More importantly, the film sets out the right foundations for the future, it just needs the audience to get on board from here on out.
Will this be a Superman movie for the masses? Maybe.
With decades worth of movies, cartoons, and TV shows already in existence, it would be easy for audiences to pass this one up, fearing it’s all been done before. And in fairness, it has.
Despite the comic book approach, Superman doesn’t necessarily push any boundaries, nor does it take the character to new heights. It’s also not the best version of the mythology.
For that you want to take a look at the early Christopher Reeve movies, Superman: The Animated Series, Lois & Clark, or the more recent Superman & Lois show. They are all the best of the best.
However, what Superman does is deliver an enjoyable summer blockbuster that doesn’t mess up the character or depress the heck out of anyone. It’s a fun, highly enjoyable Super-adventure picture, with a cute dog, and for the most part it soars.
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Movie of the Week
It’s time for Movie of the Week and despite a top score from the ever-brilliant Clueless, this week the illustrious title goes to Superman! It has to.
After a few bumpy years filled with poor creative decisions and studio interference, it appears we are heading in the right direction with the Man of Steel. The dark days of the DCEU are over, and the lighter, brighter days of the all-new DCU are here!
Superman gets this new universe off to a strong start, with a film that not only understands the character well, but also provides plenty of summer fun and entertainment. Plus, Krypto is adorable, which is reason enough to award this film Movie of the Week.
And if you like Superman, you may also like:
- Superman II (1980) – Christopher Reeve plays the Man of Steel for this super sequel which pits Superman against three Kryptonian criminals.
- DC’s League of Super-Pets (2022) – Krypto takes centre stage in this excellent animated adventure.
- Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) – Superman filmmaker James Gunn delivers one of Marvel’s best in this hilarious and action-packed space romp.
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Forthcoming attractions
And that’s your lot for another week. But coming soon, Marvel’s first family, the Fantastic Four are heading back to the big screen in The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach lead the way, in what is tipped to be one of the biggest movies of the summer. Fans have been asking (nay, begging) for a definitive FF movie for years, and there’s hope this could be it.
We’ll find out for sure in a couple of weeks, so contain that excitement just a little while longer. In the meantime, I’ll see you back here in seven days for more movie review madness.
Alex
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Thank you for taking the time to read Movie Reviews 2025 on It’s A Stampede!. For more reviews, check out the recommended reads below.
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