‘Superman’ a joyous course correction for DC Universe

The last few decades of Superman on the big screen created an unfortunate myth about the character: Superman was “boring,” “too powerful,” “uninteresting” and then, bizarrely, “grumpy and brooding” in the Zack Snyder Universe.

James Gunn’s “Superman” reminds the world why the Man of Steel belongs on top of the list of most iconic — and compelling — comic characters of all time. It’s a movie brimming with pure joy, ethos and adventure that recreates that feeling as a kid when you pick up a random comic book and become immediately invested in a whole universe of thrilling nonsense.

Plus there’s Krypto. He’s a naughty, superpowered puppy. And a good boy.

Gunn, who made the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s most idiosyncratic films with his “Guardians of the Galaxy” trilogy, now presides (with Peter Safran) over the now-completely-rebooted DC Studios movie universe. The tone of “Superman” certainly veers far away from the now-kaput DCEU where Snyder made Superman (and everyone else) a miserable Debbie Downer. The “Snyder Bros” of the internet will surely hate the sometimes goofy, sometimes corny world that Gunn creates here, but detractors can surely find some other doom and gloom to obsess over in the real world.

The new film welcomely ditches the origin story, instead beginning the story in a world where Superman and several other metahumans already exist on Earth. Superman (David Corenswet) just lost his first major fight against a villain known as the “Hammer of Boravia,” but don’t worry too much about that name. Billionaire Lex Luther (Nicholas Hoult) is obviously controlling the bad guy as part of a scheme to tarnish Superman’s heroic image.

Superman, and his usual alter ego Clark Kent, is also already in a new romantic relationship with Daily Planet co-worker Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan). Even with all the kaiju and random heroes flying around, the movie’s best scenes center on their dynamic. Superman takes enormous pride in his dedication to justice and protecting the world, but, understandably, Lois questions whether his enormous power comes with any accountability when his decisions don’t result in universal approval.

These small scenes contextualize both characters in a way that hasn’t really been attempted, even in the beloved 1978 classic. Superman isn’t perfect, but by golly, there’s something radical in trying to do the right thing, even at the expense of your own personal identity. It’s the humanity and struggle that enliven these characters, both of whom are additionally elevated by Corenswet and Brosnahan’s chemistry. These are the best versions of the characters ever put to screen, and that’s not at all meant to be criticism for Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder.

Yes, Gunn’s “Superman” is sometimes overstuffed with too many plot threads and secondary characters (the whole Daily Planet team needs more to do). It’s silly in spots, and surely there will be a bunch of complaints about how Superman saves a squirrel at one point. But that “throw everything at the wall” approach also results in memorable action, and lively B-Squad heroes (Nathan Fillion and Edi Gathegi especially pop as grumpy members of the “Justice Gang”). And don’t forget about Hoult, who makes Luthor simultaneously boisterous, wounded and legitimately dangerous.

Plus, did I mention Krypto? He tries to save the day but usually just gets in the way like any rambunctious puppy would. Every second with the dog is completely delightful.

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Tyler Wilson can be reached at twilson@cdapress.com.

    This image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows David Corenswet in a scene from "Superman."
  

    This image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows, clockwise from left, Rachel Brosnahan, Skyler Gisondo and David Corenswet in a scene from "Superman."
  

    This image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows Rachel Brosnahan, left, and David Corenswet in a scene from "Superman."
  

    This image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows Nicholas Hoult in a scene from "Superman."