There are movies that you watch and from the get-go, you like “this is going to be brilliant” or “this is going to be torture”. Man Of Steel falls in the middle of those two extremes. It’s not an awful movie but not an instant classic though but a movie that stays with you way after it's over and may require a second viewing. The odd looking duckling that will one day grow into a swan.
Like Chris Nolan batman begins ,there is something bubbling under this new vision that I think the sequel will unleash, like what the Dark knight did for Begins. The first movie sets up a change in tone,gravitas and costume for Superman. Henry Cavil is Superman for the naughties; Christopher Reeves geekiness is gone,this is demi god territory with demigod complexes and the muscles to match.This is not Superman returns this is Superman reinveted and Im loving the direction
Zack Snyder the dude behind 300, Watchmen and that awful movie sucker punch directs Man of Steel referecing Terrence Maliks visual style in Tree of Life .Which is very ambitious cause of the hand held style and the camera capturing moments in time and the mundane.This is not ussual for a superhero movie but it actually works well cause at the heart of this movie like Tree of Life this movie is about fathers’; their dreams for their sons and the sons finding their place in the universe. Which should resonate a lot with the teen market but should alienate those who want the feel good vibe from the Christopher Reeve days.Man of Steel is a post 9/11 product whereby complex questions and scenarios face the big blue that Christopher Reeves never had to deal with in such ways. I honestly feel it’s about time Supes’ got a bit more gritty and real ala smallville , the light fodder of the 80’s is dead in this one.More power to Snyder for taking Supes' there.
The grittyness lents itself well to the none-linear story structure that feels less than a series of flashbacks but moments showing us how Superman moved to being Clark Kent to Kal El. Although I would have loved more time on the training bit but that bold move to make the movie somewhat episodic ,works for me. The relationship between Lois lane and Clark Kent is altered more here than in any other superman movie.Which I think is a step in right direction something I think the sequel will be better for. The other marked change in this Man of Steel is that the humour is very dry, you either get it or it pays off as dramatic irony.
So Henry Cavil who we last saw in the epic movie "the immortals" and charmed ladies as Tristan in "Stardust" really gives Superman some presence.The man can move from serious to light effortlessly .Whilst Michael Shannon as General Zod tends to be larger than life at times but the last act of the film rescues the rationale and intergrity of the character.Its a pity that this movies has a lot of exposition to go through by the time it ends it feels like its only starting. Cause by then we now know all that is to know about this Superman and the world he inhabits.We want to see this fully realized Man of Steel go out in the world and toe the line between being a demi god and knowing the limits of using his own strength or power on the people he wants to guide and protect.I dont think the old movies could ever handle such topics in this manner.Having Zod and his fellow Kryptonians as the baddies also gives us more insight into the vulnerability of Supes both physically and emotionally,which is treated very well by Snyder and Goyer the writer.
When the movie ended I was not left with a thrilled feeling I had after watching the Dark knight or Iron Man 3 but I liked that it had my attention for the 2 and half hours and got me to think about what could happen when the other bad guys from theSuperman cannon get unleashed in this incarnation; Lex luther and company.That really excites me. I also like the clever references to batman and other Superman characters that are dotted through the movie that one can actually miss if not paying attention, like LexCorp machndise and branding thats all over the world even though Luther is not seen.
Man of Steel is an epic intro which can only get better, no wonder the sequel has already been greenlighted before we even saw the movie,it has flashes of brilliance but heavy downed by too much exposition which i believe was necessary. After Superman returns ,Warner Brothers wanted to restart the franchise .With Man of Steel they have done that exactly now lets unleash the hounds on hell on Superman,this can only get better.We will look back at Man of Steel and say this is was not the second coming but a point of maturing for DC Comics whereby Nolan's vision for superheroes in the Dark Knight Trilogy was amped up and adopted for the DC universe>i think DC Comics grittier feel is going to make for an interesting time,Marvel may have competition on their hands.Go check out Man of Steel,its worth the watch