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Man of Steel review - WITH SPOILERS
Okay, so it looks like even the non-spoiler thread is starting to skate spoilers, so let’s put those here.
BE WARNED. THERE BE HUGE SPOILERS HERE!!!
First off, I really dug Krypton. Very alien, but it felt fleshed-out and I could just imagine what was beyond the horizon we saw. A nice combo of various versions over the years, including Byrne’s and even the classic Silver Age comics.
I was expecting more of a drawn-out affair on Krypton but we jumped right into the action, which I think was a smart move. The pace of the film is fast throughout, but with enough quiet moments to build character and develop plot. Jor-El’s proactive nature reminded me a bit of the portrayal on STAS. And he’s an arse-kicker. Crowe delivers his usual commanding performance, and the scenes with him and Shannon’s maniacally intense Zod were great.
Jor-El’s death was quite a shocker, and made Lara’s lonely death with Krypton even more tragic than usual.
When we saw the rocket head toward Kansas, I expected the usual “Kents in the farm truck” scene, so imagine my surprise at us jumping to now with Clark on the fishing boat. Again, I think this was a smart move. No waiting for the lead actor to show up for an hour like in Superman: The Movie. This is where the film begins to fill you in that this isn’t your father’s Superman movie.
Involving Lois early in the film and with Clark’s discovery of his origins is probably the greatest change to the storyline in the film. BUT, it makes us like and appreciate Lois that much more, and makes their bond so much stronger. Did anyone catch that Clark helps Lois out of the copter when they first meet? I think this was a very subtle nod to Reeve and Kidder.
Anyone catch that Smallville’s Professor Hamilton was working with this movie’s version?
If anyone read the prequel comic, you may have noticed one of the sleeper pods was open. I think that was one of the most obvious nods to a sequel featuring a certain Girl of Steel. Having Jor-El basically be a ghost in the ship/fortress was a neat idea. Reminiscent of Brando, but with a more haunting twist.
Man, he got into the costume quick! Again, no waiting an hour like in the first film or Batman Begins even. The scenes with him learning to fly were fun.
I liked the flashback scenes fleshing out Clark’s history with the Kents. The actors playing young Clark actually resembled Cavill, which is always a nice touch.
The tornado scene was gut-wrenching. Kostner’s Jonathan Kent was a man of DEEP convictions, and man did he stick to them! I think it’s interesting to see how Clark was affected by them, and perhaps he learned that sometimes you have to step outside of those beliefs…as he will be forced to do later.
When Superman came to surrender himself to the military, this is where I totally bought Cavill in the role. He projected his altruism, but also an inner strength that is essential to the character. Lois being taken along for the ride was a surprise, and again a huge departure, showing us THIS Lois was more integral to the story than just a random love interest.
The battle in Smallville was even more intense than I expected. The damage these beings caused is quite shocking, but just extrapolates what we’ve been seeing in comics for decades onto the big screen. A more experienced Superman would have tried to take the battle away from civilization, but he honestly didn’t have much time. Faora comes across as an evil ice queen, and you really despise her (which is a good thing). You can almost understand Zod’s motivations, but Faora seems to relish in throwing her power around.
The World Engine was a pretty unique menace, and very much had a Silver Age vibe to it. And they called him SUPERMAN!!! All those naysayers who didn’t think they’d use the name were shut-up here. Back to the world engine, it did have some Brainiac skull ship vibes, didn’t it? Especially the tentacles. Superman powering through the beam was the kind of epic display of power we’ve been wanting to see in a Superman film. Very well done.
Christopher Meloni’s Colonel Hardy became a likable character, and he had a nice story arc, and a good death, as he stated. It was nice to see the humans play hero in addition to Superman, proving they were worth the loyalty he gave them over the Kryptonians.
The final battle with Zod was beyond intense. WOW. And the resolution will not doubt be the single most controversial thing in the film. Superman violated his no kill rule. But, as was presented, what choice did he have? I’ve always had a problem with a hero who put his personal code above the welfare of others. To me, it’s more heroic to go against your personal beliefs to insure the safety of others, and Superman did that here. And he is obviously tortured by it. And as for being unprecedented, Superman slayed the pocket universe Zod and crew in Byrne’s run, and he struck a killing blow against Doomsday. And if you go back to the Bronze Age, the Earth-One and Earth-Two Superman killed an inter-dimensional alien in a two-parter in Sueprman Family. I’m not one who likes to see my heroes randomly kill villains, but in this case, I think it was justified. And Clark had to go against his convictions, unlike when he listened to his father, and didn’t save him.
The wrap up was quite a surprise. I’m glad we got to see classic Clark Kent, and Lois is on the secret and helping him develop his alter ego (much like Smallville). I’m not sure Cavill’s Clark is a convincing disguise, but we only got a tease really. Maybe next time!
I think Nolan, Goyer and Snyder really thought about how they could rework the Superman story and make it fresh, but still keep almost all the classic elements, and they did a tremendous job.
BE WARNED. THERE BE HUGE SPOILERS HERE!!!
First off, I really dug Krypton. Very alien, but it felt fleshed-out and I could just imagine what was beyond the horizon we saw. A nice combo of various versions over the years, including Byrne’s and even the classic Silver Age comics.
I was expecting more of a drawn-out affair on Krypton but we jumped right into the action, which I think was a smart move. The pace of the film is fast throughout, but with enough quiet moments to build character and develop plot. Jor-El’s proactive nature reminded me a bit of the portrayal on STAS. And he’s an arse-kicker. Crowe delivers his usual commanding performance, and the scenes with him and Shannon’s maniacally intense Zod were great.
Jor-El’s death was quite a shocker, and made Lara’s lonely death with Krypton even more tragic than usual.
When we saw the rocket head toward Kansas, I expected the usual “Kents in the farm truck” scene, so imagine my surprise at us jumping to now with Clark on the fishing boat. Again, I think this was a smart move. No waiting for the lead actor to show up for an hour like in Superman: The Movie. This is where the film begins to fill you in that this isn’t your father’s Superman movie.
Involving Lois early in the film and with Clark’s discovery of his origins is probably the greatest change to the storyline in the film. BUT, it makes us like and appreciate Lois that much more, and makes their bond so much stronger. Did anyone catch that Clark helps Lois out of the copter when they first meet? I think this was a very subtle nod to Reeve and Kidder.
Anyone catch that Smallville’s Professor Hamilton was working with this movie’s version?
If anyone read the prequel comic, you may have noticed one of the sleeper pods was open. I think that was one of the most obvious nods to a sequel featuring a certain Girl of Steel. Having Jor-El basically be a ghost in the ship/fortress was a neat idea. Reminiscent of Brando, but with a more haunting twist.
Man, he got into the costume quick! Again, no waiting an hour like in the first film or Batman Begins even. The scenes with him learning to fly were fun.
I liked the flashback scenes fleshing out Clark’s history with the Kents. The actors playing young Clark actually resembled Cavill, which is always a nice touch.
The tornado scene was gut-wrenching. Kostner’s Jonathan Kent was a man of DEEP convictions, and man did he stick to them! I think it’s interesting to see how Clark was affected by them, and perhaps he learned that sometimes you have to step outside of those beliefs…as he will be forced to do later.
When Superman came to surrender himself to the military, this is where I totally bought Cavill in the role. He projected his altruism, but also an inner strength that is essential to the character. Lois being taken along for the ride was a surprise, and again a huge departure, showing us THIS Lois was more integral to the story than just a random love interest.
The battle in Smallville was even more intense than I expected. The damage these beings caused is quite shocking, but just extrapolates what we’ve been seeing in comics for decades onto the big screen. A more experienced Superman would have tried to take the battle away from civilization, but he honestly didn’t have much time. Faora comes across as an evil ice queen, and you really despise her (which is a good thing). You can almost understand Zod’s motivations, but Faora seems to relish in throwing her power around.
The World Engine was a pretty unique menace, and very much had a Silver Age vibe to it. And they called him SUPERMAN!!! All those naysayers who didn’t think they’d use the name were shut-up here. Back to the world engine, it did have some Brainiac skull ship vibes, didn’t it? Especially the tentacles. Superman powering through the beam was the kind of epic display of power we’ve been wanting to see in a Superman film. Very well done.
Christopher Meloni’s Colonel Hardy became a likable character, and he had a nice story arc, and a good death, as he stated. It was nice to see the humans play hero in addition to Superman, proving they were worth the loyalty he gave them over the Kryptonians.
The final battle with Zod was beyond intense. WOW. And the resolution will not doubt be the single most controversial thing in the film. Superman violated his no kill rule. But, as was presented, what choice did he have? I’ve always had a problem with a hero who put his personal code above the welfare of others. To me, it’s more heroic to go against your personal beliefs to insure the safety of others, and Superman did that here. And he is obviously tortured by it. And as for being unprecedented, Superman slayed the pocket universe Zod and crew in Byrne’s run, and he struck a killing blow against Doomsday. And if you go back to the Bronze Age, the Earth-One and Earth-Two Superman killed an inter-dimensional alien in a two-parter in Sueprman Family. I’m not one who likes to see my heroes randomly kill villains, but in this case, I think it was justified. And Clark had to go against his convictions, unlike when he listened to his father, and didn’t save him.
The wrap up was quite a surprise. I’m glad we got to see classic Clark Kent, and Lois is on the secret and helping him develop his alter ego (much like Smallville). I’m not sure Cavill’s Clark is a convincing disguise, but we only got a tease really. Maybe next time!
I think Nolan, Goyer and Snyder really thought about how they could rework the Superman story and make it fresh, but still keep almost all the classic elements, and they did a tremendous job.
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