The time has finally come to wrap up the big three blockbuster movies of the summer. Jurassic World: Rebirth, Superman, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps, have arrived. The question is, are they worth watching, and which one is the best?
Jurassic World: Rebirth was the first of the three and was released on July 2, 2025. The film follows a group of individuals contracted by a company to go to an island to extract blood from three types of dinosaurs in hopes of creating a treatment for heart disease. At the same time, a family is stranded after their boat is destroyed by a Mosasaurus. Both groups band together to survive on the island.
Unfortunately, the movie is a huge disappointment. Coming from Gareth Edwards, the director behind Godzilla (2014), Star Wars: Rogue One, and The Creator, the film did not live up to his other work. There is speculation that he had barely any creative input as the script was written before he was chosen to direct. While the story might sound cool on paper, it was executed so poorly. It feels like they tried to do something new while trying to make it feel like a traditional Jurassic World movie. Unfortunately, it just does not work in this case.
Most of the film drags on and is extremely boring; I was seriously falling asleep. The only good scenes in the movie are the Mosasaurus/Spinosaurus scenes and the T-Rex scene. I could tell Edwards could not do everything he wanted, because I could see aspects of his directing style in certain scenes, particularly the ones that had horror elements. I genuinely believe that if the risk was taken and made this film into a horror movie, it would have been much better. The film had its suspenseful moments, but they were few and far between. When the characters finally get the blood they need, something the movie had been building up to, it does not feel like a satisfying conclusion.
The film’s marketing was heavily focus on mutant dinosaurs, like the D-Rex, but it ended up barely having any screentime compared to the T-Rex. The score was lazy, as it was just reused music from previous movies. Universal, buddy, do something original! The only good thing about this movie was the cinematography and visual effects, which, of course, are a given from a director like Edwards. Overall, the movie is bland, and lacks anything that makes it stand out. I give it a 5/10.
Superman was released on July 8th, 2025. The movie follows Lex Luthor, the main antagonist and Superman’s rival, attempting to start a war in order to lure Superman and get him killed, believing him to be a threat to him and his company, Luthorcorp. Luthor is willing to sacrifice the lives of many for his own corporate greed.
The movie was a fantastic spectacle, and I might go as far to say it is my favorite movie ever. The film delves into Superman’s perseverance as we see him face multiple threats to the world. The film perfectly showcases Superman as a symbol of hope. We see how hope is the backbone of his character, through the people that cheer for him, the children that plead for his help, the love strangers give him, and ultimately the kindness he shows for others.
Another core message of the film is that you are defined by your actions, not by what others may make of you. When Superman discovers he was sent to Earth not to protect, but to conquer, this message becomes all the more real. Superman does not let the message change him, but it instead convinces him to continue fighting for what he thinks is right. He shows that no one is perfect. All these complex emotions we feel, like fear and love, is what makes us human.
All of the characters in this film are so enjoyable, and you can really feel the chemistry between everyone. The cinematography is amazing, which is to be expected from James Gunn. The visual effects are utilized perfectly to showcase Superman and the other heroes’ abilities. John Murphy delivered an incredible soundtrack, taking inspiration from John William’s soundtrack in the original 1978 movie. The music does a great job capturing so many emotions and themes, particularly hope. More can be said about the movie, but I can only praise it so much. I genuinely felt like this movie was perfect, and it goes without saying that Superman is a 10/10.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps released on July 25th, 2025. The film follows the Fantastic Four, Earth’s protectors, having to figure out how to defeat Galactus, who threatens to eat their planet unless Reed Richards and Sue Storm give up their child, Franklin Richards. The movie explores the bond between their family as they prepare to stop Galactus and protect their home.
After watching this film, I would say it is almost as good as Superman. It has some of the best visuals we have gotten in a superhero film before. The setting is able to capture a retro, yet futuristic vibe, and is aesthetically pleasing especially with its vibrant color grading. The film feels like a live action comic book with incredible production design, altering New York to feel like an entire different world. The visual effects are also incredible, particularly with The Thing, Silver Surfer, and Galactus. The soundtrack is incredible, having an otherworldly feeling.
The story overall is good, but it is nothing outstanding. This is where it falls short of Superman. The plot is pretty generic as a superhero movie, but it is made up for with the visuals. The acting is pretty good, but Pedro Pascal falls a little short compared to his co-stars. It feels like he is trying to go for an oldies voice, but it does not land. According to Vanity Fair, Pascal had a voice in mind for Reed Richards that Marvel did not allow. Unfortunately, the voice he went with sounds a bit goofy compared to the other actors and their performances. Overall the movie is very well done, and is for sure the best Fantastic Four movie. I give it a 9/10.
Overall, I believe Superman wins the crown for the best movie to release this summer, with The Fantastic Four: First Steps closely following. Jurassic World: Rebirth was sadly a major disappointment, but all three movies managed to offer something different yet fantastical.