Man of Steel

Welcome to another episode of Lights....Camera....Popcorn!

Today's review is Man of Steel.

Directed by Zack Snyder.

Written by David S. Goyer.

Screen Story by David S. Goyer & Christopher Nolan.

Based on the DC Comics character Superman created by Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster

Review #216

MPAA Rating: Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence, action and destruction, and for some language.

Run Time: 143 min

Man of Steel Trailer: Courtesy of Apple's Trailer Page

Hulk Spoils Hollywood Podcast Page

Cast

Henry Cavill...Clark Kent / Kal-El

Amy Adams...Lois Lane

Michael Shannon...General Zod

Diane Lane...Martha Kent

Russell Crowe...Jor-El

Antje Traue...Faora-Ul

Harry Lennix...General Swanwick

Richard Schiff...Dr. Emil Hamilton

Christopher Meloni...Colonel Nathan Hardy

Kevin Costner...Jonathan Kent

Ayelet Zurer...Lara Lor-Van

Laurence Fishburne...Perry White

Dylan Sprayberry...Clark Kent (13 Years)

Cooper Timberline...Clark Kent (9 Years) 

We all know that there's only one man that's ever been The Man of Steel.

But even the great and incomparable Christopher Reeve couldn't stop the production of two horrendous sequels that he had the misfortune of appearing in. After the demise of Superman Lives (and thank god that project did in fact die) Warner Bros. decided to try and continue the continuity set by Richard Donner's films and go forward with the ridiculous and disappointing Superman Returns otherwise known and Superman 2.0.

To say that idea was a failure is being kind at best.

Seven years later after a series full of Marvel films and three new Batman films. The Man of Steel has finally come back to a theater near you, and let me tell you.

It was worth the wait!

Plot

A young itinerant worker is forced to confront his secret extraterrestrial heritage when Earth is invaded by members of his race.

It always struck me how Tinseltown constantly had problems continuing Superman's filmography with the same amount of success that Donner's films had created. We all know the almighty $$$ rules all of Hollywood but with a character so recognizable and bankable as Superman (it's been said that the "S" on his chest is the most well known symbol next to Jesus on the cross) it's just plain stupid to not be able to "cash" in on the world's most popular superhero. Of course that wasn't the case. Clashing visions combined with clashing ego's led to this drought.

Enter Zack Snyder and Christopher Nolan.

These are the two men responsible for saving the man that has spent a lifetime saving everyone else. While Batman Begins was in production, Nolan and writer David S. Goyer began talking about The Man of Steel and seeing how the character can be revived. After The Dark Knight Rises, Goyer got to work writing and with the inclusion of Snyder and his visual style. We have been given a Superman film that is "strong" enough to step out of the gigantic shadow Superman 1978 and Superman II cast over the character and the franchise. This is not your father's Superman movie. Man of Steel breaks free from the mold the franchise had cast over the character. Unfortunately I can't say why. What I can elaborate on is some of the touches they employed here that made this film it's own.

The biggest thing they did was continue to remind us that Superman is an alien. 

It's very easy to lose sight of that fact. He looks human, he acts human and feels just like a human. He adopts a human name and personality to keep his true identity a secret. But he's no more human than my cat. General Zod expressed this best in one of the 10,000 trailers this movie had. "Your world has sheltered one of my citizens. He will look like you, but he is not one of you." Man of Steel never lets you forget that which was essential to the story and how the rest of the film plays out. Kal El has to cope with his newly found abilities while trying to navigate around the world's view of him. Is he friend or foe? This was a dynamic that never played a role in the character's earlier interpretations. Superman comes out of the sky, saves someone or stops a crime and instead of questioning his motives he's welcomed. This was an excellent view of the character that instantly separates the film from it's predecessors.

The next example is how the story is told. The film begins just as the original did. On planet Krypton just before it's destruction. After that, Man of Steel does something very smart. The rest of the film plays out in a non linear fashion that gives it a much better pace and feel. It was a brilliant way to present his upbringing and growth. This film is a re imagining of the character. When Clark is an adult, he's a well built, sure of himself man. Instead of playing the bumbling idiot, Clark spends his time working odd jobs from place to place. He intentionally stays off the grid for fear that someone may discover who he really is. This instantly reminded me of another famous super hero that spent a good part of his life avoiding people and relationships for fear of being noticed or captured.

Can you figure out who I'm talking about?

Here's a hint.

He's big, green and very very ANGRY!

There was a scene in the film where after Clark rescues someone he's trying to find new clothes to wear because he looks like this....

If that doesn't remind you of what Bruce Banner looks like after a Hulk Out. Nothing will.

This segues nicely into my next point. One of the trickier things that happen when retelling Superman's story is balancing the time you take from his landing on earth to his first moment in the suit. No offense to Clark Kent but we didn't pay to see him. We paid to see Superman fly in the suit and cape. So the time it takes from point A to point "S" is critical. Man of Steel does a fantastic job of doing this. How did they do this? Compromise. What does that mean exactly? You have to see the film and you'll know what I'm talking about. Finally, they did something that I didn't expect.

It concerns General Zod.

For the first time in the Superman franchise. The villain was relate able. In Superman II, General Zod played by Terrence Stamp was hell bent on destroying Superman because he was the son of the man who imprisoned him. His motives were based on retribution. In Man of Steel, Zod's motives are much different and sensible. This film humanizes it's antagonist while maintaining the character's core nature and purpose. You understand exactly what Zod is trying to do and why. You sympathize with his intentions. It's a total reversal from what we got when Zod first graced us with his presence back in 1980. This normally would be something I would reject based on the simple premise that any villain is not supposed to be sympathized with.

Especially General Zod.

He's not there to be friends with Superman. He's there to ensure the demise of our beloved hero. So why did this tactic work? Quite simply, this film though a reboot in nature is also an origin story as well. Man of Steel plays with the notion that Kal El and his enemies are adjusting to the new world they have discovered. Superman though fully grown is by no means a man. He's constantly learning and evolving with his powers. Zod and his warriors experience this as well. Because this is where they went with the characters and the story, it made Zod's feelings for Kal El and his intentions toward Earth all the more understandable.

This is why Zack Snyder was the right choice to direct this film. He knew that just washing over the same old story of Superman was not going to go over. So he went another way. He gave us all a Superman that holds true to what we all know and love about the character while giving is a fresh perspective. Not an easy task but pulled off expertly. Snyder and company took major gambles by doing this. Including casting a "unknown" to play the Man of Steel himself.

Henry Cavill is no Christopher Reeve. He's not Brandon Routh either. He's better than both of them. Before you rip my head off let me explain. Like I mentioned up top. Reeve is irreplaceable but if he were alive today, he would have never been able to play Superman in this kind of imagining of the character. Cavill was perfect because like him, this film is treading on undiscovered ground. This film doesn't work if Brad Pitt or Tom Cruise played the part. They had to go outside the box to make this work. Cavill gives both Clark and Superman a dignity and stoicism that both Reeve and Routh didn't. Not because they couldn't but because they weren't supposed to. That's why this film works. Having said all of this. Man of Steel isn't perfect. I do have one gripe.

It's with the action.

Man of Steel has PHENOMENAL action. The fights in this film are so powerful. They really captured the superiority these beings have over the people of earth. My beef is at times in their attempt to properly display these characters overwhelming abilities, it was hard to make out what was happening. It pains me to say this but it reminded me of what Hackel Bay did with the Transformers films when it came to the robots fighting. The CG was so chaotic that all you saw on the screen was destruction and noise. The action in this film has traces of that same problem. It's nowhere near as awful as Transformers but it was too noticeable to ignore.

The bottom line here is Zack Snyder, Christopher Nolan and David S. Goyer took a HUGE roll of the dice with Man of Steel and it PAID OFF BIG TIME! This film was worth waiting for. Worth all of the trailers, posters, commercials and promotion that was thrown at us to create excitement. If this film is any indication of the future of this character moving forward.

Then Superman has finally RETURNED!

On the 5 star scale. Man of Steel gets 4.5 stars. With a "Worth Every Penny!" recommendation.

That's a wrap for today.

Until next episode...."I'll Save You A Seat!"

"D"