Superman, the first true hero of comic books, has entered the world of film many times, to varying degrees of success. From Richard Donner’s classic release to the controversial iteration from Zack Snyder, the Man of Tomorrow has been portrayed again and again, but never seemed to live up to his legend as a landmark figure of modern storytelling. That is, until now. Written and directed by James Gunn, Superman is a wonderful movie that successfully presents a cinematic message of hope, reminding us of the eternal good that mankind has to offer.

In his third decade on the planet, Superman must become the man he was born to be, while facing the threat of powerful billionaire Lex Luthor. The film stars David Corenswet. He is joined by Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult and a large supporting cast.

Superman is not a film that slowly develops its eccentric world. From the first minute, it is clear that this is a narrative that open-heartedly embraces comic book sensibilities. Because of this, the movie does take some time to gain its footing. Furthermore, a few elements could have been better developed and rounded out for a fuller understanding. But we must remember that this picture is the introduction of a franchise, so the approach of “ripping the band-aid off” may prove beneficial in the long run.

While the above is certainly true, none of the film’s shakier aspects affect the core of the movie, its characters. First and foremost, David Corenswet’s Superman is the beacon of good that the world needs right now, as cheesy as it sounds. Modern cinema is filled with stories starring anti-heroes and cool villains. As such, it is utterly refreshing to have a protagonist who delivers a message of pure positivity. This is the Superman that comic book fans have been begging for.

Alongside our hero is Lois Lane, played exceptionally by Rachel Brosnahan. She portrays a strong woman who is the rock that Clark Kent needs. The chemistry between Brosnahan and Corenswet is magical, with each scene that they share being believable and captivating. On the darker end of the spectrum, Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor may be the film’s standout. Thanks to James Gunn’s character-centric script, this is a villain that feels powerful, threatening, jealous and pathetic, often all at once.

Surrounding the core trio are many solid performances worth mentioning. Nathan Fillion is perfectly punchable as a Green Lantern, Skyler Gisondo is hilarious as Jimmy Olsen, and Edi Gathegi is instantly iconic as Mister Terrific.

Superman is a great experience. It is a film filled with moments that will have viewers laughing, crying and grinning ear to ear. Surprisingly, or perhaps not, this story’s biggest strength is that it reminds us what it means to be human. For those who adore the beauty of movies, what more could you ask for?