Krypto is currency.

Krypto, also known as Krypto the Superdog, is Superman’s pet dog.

He plays a prominent role in the movie “Superman.”

Krypto saves the day, and the Man of Steel, more than once in the movie, “Superman.”

It’s not the first walk around the Metropolis block for Krypto. He has a list of credits almost as long as Superman’s.

Krypto originated in DC Comics (Superboy, “Adventure Comics” No. 210, March 1955); had his own animated TV series, “Krypto the Superdog” (Cartoon Network, 2025; CW Kids’ WB, 2006 - 2007); was in “Smallville” (The WB, 2001; The CW, through 2011), “Titans” (DC Universe, HBO Max, 2018-2023), “Superman & Lois” (The CW, 2021-2024), and starred in the feature movie, “DC League of Super-Pets” (Dwayne Johnson voiced Krypto, Warner Bros. Pictures, 2022).

In “Superman.” Krypto was created with Computer Generated Imagery. Krypto will appear in “Supergirl” (2026).

It’s a good thing that Krypto appears in “Superman.” The cute white-haired mutt in his own red cape flies through the movie, giving the film a much needed sense of coherence.

I didn’t dislike “Superman.” I wanted to like the film more than I did.

The film is called “Superman.” Apparently, Superman is not super enough to carry the film. Or maybe DC Studios wanted to set up future film spinoffs.

“Superman” includes his allies, the Justice Gang: Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi), Metamorpho (Anthony Carrigan), Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion) and Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced).

The villains include Les Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) and his minions: Ultraman, the Engineer (María Gabriela de Faría) and a kaiju, a monster straight out of “Godzilla.”

The screenplay is all over the place, including the Pocket Universe, which though apparently true to its DC Comics Superman origins, is very dense and confusing on the big screen.

The plot includes earth-bound activities, such as war, represented by the invasion of a fictional Middle Eastern nation, Jahranpur by Boravia.

There are scenes on Krypton with Superman’s parents, Jor-El (Bradley Cooper) and Lara Lor-Van (Angela Sarafyan); in the Fortress of Solitude (also apparently true to DC Comics), a sort of Superman super R&R (Rest and Relaxation) spa; in Smallville, Kansas, with Superman’s adopted parents; in Lex Luthor’s headquarters high atop Metropolis, and in the Daily Planet newspaper offices.

“Superman” director and screenwriter James Gunn pulled out all the CGI guns for “Superman.” It seems he had something to prove. Gunn and “The Suicide Squad” producer Peter Safran became co-chairs and co-CEOs of the new DC Studios in 2022. “Superman” is their first project.

Gunn (director, “The Guardians of the Galaxy,” 2014, 2017, 2023; “The Suicide Squad,” 2021) is a masterful filmmaker. However, “Superman” lacks much of the bounce and off-the-wall fun of his previous films. In contrast, “Superman” is mostly serious. It’s a welcome addition to the “Superman” movie genre. It will be interesting to see where Gunn takes Superman next.

“Superman” 2025 is, by my count, the 18th theatrical motion picture in which the character of Superman appears: “Superman” (1948), “Atom Man vs. Superman” (1950), “Superman and the Mole Men” (1951), “Superman” (1978), “Superman II” (1980), “Superman III” (1983), “Supergirl” (1984), “Superman IV: The Quest for Peace” (1987), “Superman Returns” (2006), “Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut “(2006), “Man of Steel” (2013), “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” (2016), “Justice League” (2017), “Zack Snyder’s Justice League” (2021), “Black Adam” (2022), “The Flash” (2023), “Superman” (2025) and “Supergirl” (2026).

David Corenswet is, by my count, the sixth actor to play Superman in a theatrical motion picture. Other actors who portrayed Superman in theatrical motion pictures were Kirk Alyn, George Reeves, Christopher Reeve, Brandon Routh, Henry Cavill.

Superman, created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, first appeared in Action Comics No. 1, published April 18, 1938.

David Corenswet (the Bryn Mawr, Montgomery County, native is known for “Twisters,” 2024, and TV’s “We Own This City,” 2022; “The Politician,” 2019-2020, and “Hollywood,” 2020) is terrific as Clark Kent-Superman. He projects a hero of strength, compassion and humility. And he has great dimples.

Rachel Brosnahan (“The Amateur,” 2025; Five-time Primetime Emmy nominee, and winner, actress, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” 2018) is wonderful as Lois Lane. She projects a lovely, independent and thoughtful presence.

Nicholas Hoult (Primetime Emmy nominee, actor, “The Great”) is superb as Lex Luthor. He creates a smooth lethality.

“Superman” can be recommended for fans of the Superman legend, fans of director James Gunn and fans of Krypto the Superdog.

“Superman,” PG-13 (Parents strongly cautioned: Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13) for violence, action and language; Genre: Science Fiction, Action; Run time: 2 hours, 9 minutes. Distributed by Warner Bros.

Credit Readers Anonymous: “Superman” has end credits scenes with Superman and Supergirl, Superman and Krypto the Superdog, and at the very end, with Superman and Mr. Terrific. The closing credits include the songs “Punkrocker” by the Teddybears, featuring Iggy Pop, and “The Mighty Crabjoys Theme.” “Superman” was filmed February through July 2024 in Cleveland and Cincinnati, Ohio; Atlanta, Ga., and Svalbard, Norway.

At The Movies: “Superman” was seen in Dolby at AMC, AMC Center Valley 16.

Theatrical Movies Domestic Weekend Box Office, July 25 - 27: It was a battle of the MCU versus the DCU.

And it took four superheroes from the Marvel Cinematic Universe to wrest No. 1 from the Man of Steel of the DC Universe.

“The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” starring Pedro Pascal (Mister Fantastic), Vanessa Kirby (Invisible Woman), Ebon Moss-Bachrach (The Thing) and Joseph Quinn (Human Torch), opened at No. 1 with $118 million in 4,125 theaters.

It was 2025’s fourth biggest opening so far, with “A Minecraft Movie,” opening at $162 million; “Lilo & Stitch,” $146 million, and “Superman,” $125 million.

“Superman” dropped one place to No. 2 after a two-week-straight run at No. 1 with $24.8 million in 3,930 theaters, $289.5 million, three weeks.

3. “Jurassic World: Rebirth” dropped one place, $13 million in 3,550 theaters, $301.5 million, four weeks. 4. “F1: The Movie” moved up one place, $6.2 million in 2,615 theaters, $165.5 million, five weeks. 5. “Smurfs” dropped one place, $5.4 million in 3,504 theaters, $22.7 million, two weeks. 6. “I Know What You Did Last Summer” dropped three places, $5.1 million in 3,206 theaters, $23.5 million, two weeks. 7. “How to Train Your Dragon” dropped one place, $2.8 million in 2,346 theaters, $257 million, seven weeks. 8. “Eddington” dropped one place, $1.6 million in 2,065 theaters, two weeks. 9. “Oh, Hi!,” $1.1 million in 866 theaters, opening. 10. “The Home,” $1 million in 1,015 theaters, opening.

Movie box office information from Box Office Mojo as of July 27 is subject to change.

Unreel, Aug. 1

“The Naked Gun,” PG-13: Akiva Schaffer directs Liam Neeson, Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter House and Danny Huston in the comedy. Frank Drebin Jr. leads the Police Squad in the sequel.

“The Bad Guys 2,” PG: Pierre Perifel and JP Sans directs the voice talents of Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron, Craig Robinson, Anthony Ramos, Awkwafina, Zazie Beetz, Natasha Lyonne and Maria Bakalova in the Action, Adventure film. The Bad Guys try to be good.

Movie opening information from Internet Movie Database as of July 27 is subject to change.

Three Popcorn Boxes out of Five Popcorn Boxes