Well, I didn’t think it was possible, but Man of Steel actually made me like Lois Lane. Not only was it the first time I believed she was a journalist capable of winning a Pulitzer, but she also seemed like a good person. Say what you will about the newest Superman movie (I liked it, despite the criticisms), it features the best Lois Lane ever featured in comics, television, or film.

I liked that Man of Steel took time to show Lois Lane’s character, letting the audience see her curiosity, quick wit, and intelligence, rather than just telling the audience that’s she’s smart. Lane’s passion for her career and her unwavering desire to find truth showed an interesting, driven individual. This is all very different from the Lois we usually see, who can’t take care of herself, let alone tell if a guy is Superman when he puts his glasses on.

Not only is Lois pretty dense in most depictions, but she’s also downright mean, and it’s difficult to see why Clark is so head-over-heels for her. She’s always firing off some snide remark about Clark being from a small town, or making fun of his clumsiness. And since she’s mean and dumb, we’re only left with one conclusion: “Clark must be into her because she’s hot.” Either that, or he’s a glutton for punishment.

In this latest Superman rendition, however, Lois shows kindness, trustworthiness, and honesty. She shows she’s a person who Clark can count on, and it’s clear that they have a deep and meaningful relationship, rather than one simply built on Lois getting in trouble and Superman saving her every 10 seconds. Because of her kindness and sincerity, Lois brings hope to Clark—hope that the world’s capable of change, nuanced thinking, and acceptance.

Lastly, I loved Amy Adams as Lois Lane. She doesn’t look like previous Lois Lanes, and I think that’s a very good sign indeed. Like any actress, Amy Adams is attractive, but she’s also not too young—she shows some laugh lines, and she doesn’t have a supermodel body. She looks like the woman next door—and therefore, she looks like the kind of woman who very well could have devoted her life to journalism, rather than facials, working out, and tanning. And I like that.

If nothing else, I dare you to argue that Man of Steel didn’t feature the best Lois Lane of all time.