It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s the Superman movie I’ve always wanted!
There was a time when I was able to find my place on the internet. It seems like it has been ages now since I was able to connect with the views of the masses and agree with all the trolls. These days it seems like when I like a movie, the collective Internet hates it or vice versa. While I was bad mouthing Iron Man 3, the internet was exploding with people saying that it was “better than the Avengers” and “the greatest Superhero movie of all time.” I thought maybe I was crazy and that I just didn’t get it. When I saw the Man of Steel and thought, “THIS is a superhero movie,” I hoped to find like minds online…to no avail. Seems I am mostly alone in my love for Zack Snyder’s summer blockbuster. SPOILERS and much Superman love abound in what follows. You have been warned.
When I first saw the trailer for Man of Steel I remember being terribly let down. I expected so much and it looked to be just another origin story with no real appeal to me as a long time comic book fan. Even for non-comic book readers, one would think the origin of Superman has been beat over our heads so much in the last seventy-five years that, MAYBE, we could just accept that all human beings know the origin. I was skeptical going in to the film for this very reason. My hesitance was quickly calmed when I first laid eyes on the jaw dropping, brave new Krypton that Snyder had created. The opening of the film felt more like a Sci-fi movie than a superhero flick. This was something that I never knew I wanted until I had it…right in front of my eyes. Snyder could have easily gone with the bright white, almost heavenly lights that have been way overused to represent Krypton but instead chose to transport the viewers to an Alien world on the verge of destruction. The visuals were stunning and the creative updates given to this part of the origin were fresh. Now how would we get from baby Kal-El rocketing into space to Superman? Flashbacks.
One of the highly criticized pieces of the film was the use of flashbacks to integrate the coming of age story with some well established action. What surprises me about this is that people seemed to love it when Batman Begins used flash backs to avoid flooding us with establishment. I believe this is the way that Superhero movies should do origins. Plane and simple. This way we dont have to indure an hour and a half of the same old set up many of us already know. Flashbacks are the way to go.
The movie sustains a level of action while giving the movie goers a rich story that is both familiar and new. The visuals are riveting and the characters compelling. Top this off with a stellar cast and what you end up with is a Superman movie the likes of which have never been seen. Michael Shannon’s Zod is both frightening and, to an extent, can be sympathized with, Amy Adams brings heart and boldness to the character of Lois Lane, Kevin Costner as Jonathan Kent is incredibly respectable, and Russel Crows Jar-El is heroic.
The villains are a threat too. Thankfully Snyder had the sense to leave Lex Luther out of this film (though there are subtle references) and give us someone that Superman can punch. The action and fight scenes are all the better for it. Though they sometimes are a bit fast to keep up with.
Finally, what really got me was the passionate Superman. Never before have we had a Superman that is so alien and yet so human all at the same time. Henry Cavil’s performance was emotional and riveting. When he felt joy, I felt joy. When he felt greife, I felt greife. When he felt remorse, I was overwhelmed with it. Everyone loves Christoper Reeve but with him we only got happiness and smiles. Cavil brings a whole new level of feeling to the character while still honoring the actors that have come before.
**MASSIVE SPOILERS AHEAD**
****DO NOT READ ANY FURTHER IF YOU HAVE YET TO SEE THE MOVIE****
In the climax of the final battle Superman has Zod by the head. Zod decides to make Superman suffer by killing innocents with his heat vision right in front of him. Superman is pushed to desperation in a gut wrenchingly emotional scene. I was nearly in tears as Kal-El begged Zod to “PLEASE…STOP!” knowing that the only way to stop him was to kill him. This is something that many Superman fans got bent out of shape about. “Superman doesn’t kill!” To which I would say that he has before. It is very clear that he is remorseful about having to kill the only other Kryptonian when he lets out a anguishing cry that should put a lump in anyone’s throat.
The movie has flaws in some areas. One being Lois knows everything about Superman very early on and there romance almost seems forced. Over all though, I honestly feel like this may be the first time that a Superman movie hasn’t made me cringe at some point. I will give it 4 out of 5 stars.
Brian Isaacs - Executive Editor / Publisher
I felt like the story was way too busy and complex. A much simpler story would have gone much further. For instance, if the whole story had just dealt with his internal struggle at finding his place in society and developing his super powers, that would have been enough. A villan would have just been an added benefit to show some action sequences.
There were a lot of moments that were clearly only there to add flare without adding to the story, and there were too many times when they were explaining what was going on because the story was so complex.
Where this story erred where I think Avengers and The Dark Knight succeeded, was that it didn’t have adequate character development. Both of those other movies had extensive conversation scenes. Man of Steel seemed a little ADHD, going from action to action, with very little character development.
I loved the cast and the underlining story, I just felt like the story was trying to do too much and it didn’t have enough time to develop. I did not like anything about the opening sequence on Krypton. Way too long and ‘Green Lantern’ish.
I’m hoping there will be a sequel and that it will be better than the first. Although, I’m worried because Christopher Nolan won’t be associated with it.
Hold Up! Warner you are in No way alone in your thoughts that this movie was SPECTACULAR! What you are seeing are scorned critics crying foul and that Hate that CBM’s because the public adores them and that indie bullshit they love gets passed over! Not to mention the frigging little whining Fanboys crying like 2 year olds that Superman doesn’t “kill” and all that other junk spewing from their mouths. The Chief Editor of RT even said she was shocked at the score and said it is a must see. Fan reaction has been through the roof! I will be addressing these idiotic reviews in my column very soon right here on FBF. Most of the bitching is from Donner/Reeve junkies that expected, like their somehow entitled, a tribute film. This Superman is a mutha fookin bad ass that represents the world we live in today and all the trials and tribulations we go through. I will be giving it close to 5 stars. No 5 Star because they gave us no damn end credit scene!! Stop looking at the critics. They are all hacks for the most part and do not represent the fans. That art was lost on the late Roger Ebert. Btw, whoever claimed IM3 was better than The Avengers is a butthurt Marvelite! I never ONCE heard anyone say that lol! I’m just saying …………….. ;-)
First of all, let me say that I am one of those “fanboys” who didn’t like the fact that Superman killed Zod. Secondly, I am trying to move past the fact that he did kill him. I don’t like it, but I understand why and I am trying to move past it. You and I have talked about this already, Warner and I see exactly what you’re saying. It is just something that I’m struggling with. I personally loved the column and the review and I agree, this IS the Superman we’ve all been waiting for. It has been decades since we’ve seen our Superman be who he is supposed to be and its about time. Me personally, I would give this movie a 4 1/2 out of 5. The cinematography was beautiful, the cast was perfect and the script and visual effects were out of this world. I hope that people who have been riding the Marvel band wagon for years take notice that yes, DC CAN make a great Superhero movie not named Batman.
Joe, I really appreciated our discussion about it earlier. I can see why people were upset but it was so crucial to the plot and to the developement of this new, non-Reeve, Superman. I am excited to see this character grow further.
Joey, as always, we are pretty much in the same boat here. Your review was pretty great and addressed many of the issues that people had with it.
Adam, Thanks for your comments. I agree things felt rushed. I am eager to see a director’s cut. As I understand it, the film was originally over three hours long. The cast was perfect for this movie and I too am excited to see a sequal where we won’t have to see the origin for the millionth time!
Thank you all for your comments!