Man Of Steel - "If you love these people so much, you can mourn for them!"
It's back to the drawing board for this iteration of "Superman". It was essential to course correct when attempting another superman film because "Superman Returns" was a critical and financial disaster, it was so dull with such little action and an abundance of terrible dialogue combined with an uninspiring Lois Lane and weak looking Clark Kent. Because Christopher Nolan's Batman's exist the tone needed to match those, which I felt it did, the action also needed to be revamped, there's little to no classic Superman saves in this film, it focused on Kryptonian V Kryptonian which makes for very visceral action sequences. Entire Cities are leveled, hundreds of thousands of people are slaughtered, it's a full blown alien invasion. Martha and Jonathan Kent are given much meatier roles, particularly Jonathan Kent who is the voice of reason in Clarke's mind, his moral center & guiding compass. Kevin Costner's performance was perfect, nothing negative to say there. His parental guidance was much more contemporary, advising Clarke to be secretive and not share his gifts with the world unless he has to because undoubtedly the world would turn on him. "We don't like what we don't understand"
Henry Cavill really captures the look of Superman with his perfect muscular physique, the deep voice, the deep set cheek bones he IS Superman. Amy Adams as Lois Lane is much more successful than Kate Bosworth but still doesn't compare to the perfect Erica Durance from "Smallville". The casting by and large is filled with competent character actors as opposed to "big names". Kevin Costner and Russel Crowe are the only real A-listers in the film. Casting Laurence Fishburne as Perry White was genius, he's criminally underused sadly, I hope his role is expanded in the sequel, but his performance is strong and centered, really the only man that can reign Lois Lane in. Michael Shannon as General Zod was an interesting choice, he's a very large intimidating man in real life so he suits the role, I can't say he necessarily "owned" the role, he was very good and convincing but nothing of Joker quality, he was on par with Tom Hardy as "Bane". Russel Crowe on the other hand completely owned the role of Jor-el, much better than the over rated Marlon Brando. Christopher Meloni was a welcome sight as Colonel Hardy, he was fearsome, the only human to survive a fight with a Kyptonian I believe. The casting is the best out of any Superman film.
The story and character development were aplenty, we pretty much received Clark Kent's entire life story from birth on Krypton to age 30 on Earth. Character motivations were explored sufficiently. The action was entertaining, the script whilst being nothing Oscar worthy was very well thought out for a Superman film, Zac Snyder's direction very much suited an action orientated Superman film, his visual aesthetic lends itself to a Superhero like this. None of his trademark slow-motion but still very good. The special effects are flawless, nothing seemed out of place or hollow. There's never a boring moment, the franchise is in competent hands it's just terrific to see the Man of Steel TRULY return to the silver screen. It's tonally much darker and adult themed, catering to an older audience. Overall it's great fun, visually pleasing however see it in 2D, as the 3D is useless and only there for cost. 5/5
Bechdel Test: The film has multiple female characters, but they don't converse this film fails the bechdel test
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