The following contains spoilers for DC League of Super-Pets, in theaters now.
One of the DC Extended Universe's biggest problems has revolved around Henry Cavill's Superman. While the other members of the Justice League from the SnyderVerse, including Ben Affleck's Batman, are still in play, the Man of Steel has been missing. Fans are even unsure if he'll appear in Dwayne Johnson's Black Adam, despite Johnson loving Cavill's Superman.
It feels like Warner Bros. doesn't know what to do with the character after the studio tried to course-correct from the hero's depiction in Batman v Superman. Sure, Justice League brought back a more inspirational Kal-El, but for some reason, it's as if the studio is losing confidence again. Well, come DC League of Super-Pets, that problem gets fixed in one sequence that lays down the perfect template on what to do moving forward in the DCEU, with or without Cavill.
It occurred in the opening act, which had the warmth and emotion of a Pixar film. In this montage, Krypto dropped Superman from the ceiling to wake him up, forcing Clark to fly him through the clouds for a "walk." Superman was barely awake, but as the day progressed, the duo accomplished many heroic feats.
They stopped bank robbers, brought down a giant robot, and saved a train. And in that final situation, the tracks broke off, and while Superman tried to act as a bridge, he still needed Krypto as an additional piece collapsed. It painted a flawed, vulnerable Superman who couldn't do without his buddy. The duo also played fetch in the park, bringing Superman down to a human level, focusing more on the man than the hero.
Omitting things like this was the biggest mistake the DCEU made because even when Superman was being heroic, he came off arrogant. The movies showed him hovering above folks who got stuck on the roof during floods, lapping up people adoring him like a god on the Day of the Dead and instigating a fight with Batman rather than having a civil discussion. Sure, these moments created drama, but they lacked heart and soul.
An altruistic Superman would never behave like this, especially after the dour teething process was over and he realized what he meant to humanity. In Super-Pets, though, we got a clumsy, loving Clark who treated folks equally and understood that being a protector wasn't a badge to flaunt -- it was a responsibility he was privileged and lucky enough to have. In these scenes, Superman connected with humanity, feeling like one of the citizens of society. Sure, he had incredible power, but this Superman didn't see himself as being above anyone, which is something Cavill could pull off with his charm and smile.
But Super-Pets' crowning moment came when Superman flew to a bakery and brought pastries back for Lois to let her know he missed her. It topped Cavill's Superman bringing home groceries and flowers and jumping into the tub with Lois, which felt formulaic and didn't appeal to the magic the Man of Steel had within. A darling Superman who has fun on the job and does wondrous things is the kind of Superman the DCEU should have had. Thankfully, it's not too late, and Superman could return to the DCEU with newfound positivity.
See a better Superman take flight in DC League of Super-Pets, in theaters now.