In 1978 Christopher Reeve showed us a man could fly. Superman was a wonder that captured people’s attention. Even more than 45 years later, it still does. It spawned three sequels and then our time with Superman on the big screen seemed to fade.

But with the dawn of a new century, we’ve twice seen the start of new franchises featuring Superman. The first, from Bryan Singer, came in 2006. Then, in 2013, Zack Snyder birthed the DCEU with Man of Steel. Both were different kinds of films, and each had their fans.

Now, 12 years later, Superman is ready to fly again. This time it’s the tentpole for a new vision of the D.C. Universe, this one from director James Gunn who is leading this new D.C. We’ve seen him craft projects already—Suicide Squad the film, Peacemaker on the small screen and the animated Creature Commandos—but a lot is riding on this new film. Does it pave the way for something wonderful? That might be a matter of opinion.

This new film features a new Superman (David Corenswet) and a new extended world. But it isn’t an origin story. It picks up with Superman already a fixture in the world and at the Daily Planet, his newspaper home. He’s also already entrenched with Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan), who guards his secret and their relationship.

He’s also already at odds with Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult), the world’s smartest man who is infuriated by Superman and other metahumans. He’s well on his way to hatching a plan to be rid of Superman. In fact, as the film opens, that plan is underway.

It isn’t long before Luthor finds something that can turn the tide of public opinion. It leaves Superman questioning all he thought he knew about his past, his lineage, and his destiny. Can he overcome those doubts and Luthor’s schemes to be a beacon of hope for the world.

As stated, a lot is riding on this film. Not only is it a seeming passion project for Gunn—something he shares in the introduction to the film provided for advance screening audiences—but it’s meant to pave the way for a new universe of films. This not only serves as an introduction to Superman in this world, but a number of other D.C. heroes, including The Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion), Mr. Terrific (Edi Gathegi), Supergirl (Milly Alcock), and Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced). We also see previously introduced characters, like Rick Flag, Sr. (Frank Grillo) and Peacemaker (John Cena).

But this isn’t just about the larger world. For any of it to matter, you have to buy into these characters and this story. And that’s where I have mixed feelings. There are sequences and ideas that didn’t work at all for me. One of them is a choice about Superman’s mission and his Kryptonian origins. There are also sequences of the action and world building that feel a bit goofy, which seems at odds with what we think of with Superman.

In fact, at times I was frustrated and angry watching sequences of the film. This is especially true during sequences in the first act. I bumped against this vision of D.C. the same way I did years earlier with Suicide Squad. And it’s one of the reasons I have some reservations about this larger world.

BUT there are moments of sheer brilliance here. There are some visual sequences that are stunning. There is a sense of humor—one of the things I loved about his Guardians of the Galaxy—that are a lot of fun. There’s also plenty of heart.

Brosnahan is a treasure as Lois Lane. It’s a different take on the character, and the film simply soars when she’s on screen. Corenswet is also a delight in his own way as Superman. And when they are together, especially some of their sweetly emotional sequences, I couldn’t help but feel a great swell of passion for the film.

Hoult makes for a compelling Lex Luthor. He’s passionate as a villain and makes for a great foil to our heroic leads. I also loved Gathegi as Terrific, Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, and Wendell Piece as Perry White. One of the most heartfelt sequences is between Clark and his father, Pa Kent (Pruitt Taylor Vince).

This is a different take on Superman and a different take on the world. Gunn fuses his unique talents and passions as a filmmaker and creates something that is flawed but also deeply endearing. It isn’t perfect but it’s a compelling ride and a worthy summer blockbuster worth seeing on the big screen.

Superman opens nationwide on Friday, July 11.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.