Gone are the shadows and slow-mo sadness – in their place is a film bursting with summertime brightness, fitting for the Son of Krypton.

At just over two hours, the film does what no other Superman movie has dared – wrap up his entire origin in under a minute. No exploding Krypton, no baby pod, no Smallville flashbacks.

The audience is thrown straight into a world where metahumans already exist. And true to Gunn’s style, the soundtrack is packed with classic hits that add energy to every scene.

But strip away the flash and music, and what’s left? A Superman who’s cranky half the time, wounded the other half, and rarely carries the gravitas the Man of Steel should.

David Corenswet is boyishly charming, sure, but his Supes feels outmatched and underpowered. He barely even uses his heat vision!

Where’s the awe? Where’s the punch-the-air, goosebump-inducing hero moment? A Superman film should leave you feeling like you can fly when you walk out of the cinema. Instead, you get a hero who spends most of the time licking his wounds.

That said, “Superman” is undeniably a fun ride. The action sequences are fantastic, the score soars, and it’s a thrill to see characters like Green Lantern, Hawkgirl, and Mr Terrific on the big screen.

In many ways, this version echoes the charm of the Christopher Reeve era – light, humorous, and filled with heart. It’s even hopeful. John Williams’ remixed Superman theme, of course, helps.

But is that enough in a post-Marvel world? Is a feel-good Superman really what DC needs to reignite its cinematic universe? Maybe. Maybe not.

One notable let-down is the villain. Nicholas Hoult gives Lex Luthor a slick, sinister edge – thankfully nothing like Jesse Eisenberg’s manic take in “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice”.

But despite all his futuristic tech, Hoult’s Luthor never feels like a real threat. A superhero film should make you want to jump in and join the fight. Superman doesn’t quite get there.

Strangely enough, it’s Superman’s loyal dog, Krypto, who steals the show – doing more fighting and saving than his master. It’s fun, yes. But it also makes you wonder: is this Superman what the world needs right now?

Perhaps this is exactly what a superhero-fatigued audience needs – not another formulaic blockbuster packed with intense fight scenes and world-ending stakes, but a film that brings back the fun and spirit of classic superhero comics.

Rachel Brosnahan might be the best Lois Lane since Margot Kidder. She’s spunky, sharp, and always in the thick of trouble but with real purpose.

Her chemistry with Corenswet is electrifying and unlike the flat Henry Cavill-Amy Adams pairing, this Lois and Clark are playful, passionate, and on fire.

Speaking of Corenswet, the 32-year-old certainly looks the part. In fact, he could pass for a younger Henry Cavill – but that’s beside the point.

Corenswet’s Superman is still figuring things out, carrying the mix of confidence and clumsy idealism you’d expect from a 30-something. That makes him feel more human – and maybe that’s exactly what the character needs right now.

With the DC Universe gearing up for expansion, Corenswet’s Superman has room to grow. Perhaps Gunn is holding back the truly epic, jaw-dropping threats for future films. Maybe this lighter, more grounded start is just his way of saying: hang tight – there’s more to come.

So where does that leave the audience?

“Superman” will likely split audiences – too light for Snyder loyalists, a breath of fresh air for others. A surprise tease at the end will thrill fans, but one thing’s clear: it’s a solid start to DC’s rebirth.

As of press time, ‘Superman’ is screening in cinemas nationwide.