Man of Steel

[The Dark Knight]

I'll give my thoughts on that later. Maybe even a review for the site. Who knows.

That would be cool.

I left the theatre very happy...and left wanting more.

I'm pleased for you. I've heard there's a lot of action, and I'm very excited to see it. About time I say. You'll get more with MOS2 being confirmed and fast tracked.

Regarding a score review: I'd like to do one and probably will. It could follow up your movie review as part of Batman Online's MOS promotion. I could sink my teeth into it. Especially considering the hoo-ha about not using Williams' march.

For what it's worth, Hans has done a good job. It's no secret I have slim loyalty to the past Superman films. I like the main march and the opening of Krypton's theme. But honestly, I'd say this score is my favourite overall for a few reasons which I could explore.

[Paul (ral)]

My review
http://www.batman-online.com/features/2013/6/11/review-man-of-steel-2013

Contains very slight spoilers.

[johnnygobbs]

My review
http://www.batman-online.com/features/2013/6/11/review-man-of-steel-2013

Contains very slight spoilers.

Thanks for the review Ral.

A few questions.  How is Clark, as opposed to 'Superman' or 'Jor El', portrayed in this film and how much screen-time does Henry Cavill get in this persona?  My understanding is that this is a very different Clark to the bumbling journalist from the Christopher Reeve films or from the comic-books and various TV shows for that matter.

Also, you suggest that there isn't much sentiment in this film as a possible criticism, but judging from the trailers the scenes between Clark and his adopted father, played by Kevin Costner, strike me as potentially quite powerful (Costner telling his son that he should hide his powers for his best interest etc).  Now you've seen the film how do those scenes play in your opinion?  Do they live up to the promise suggested by the earlier trailers?  My fear from the latest trailer is that the film is more action-orientated than dramatic and the flashback structure might not leave much room for the more quiet character-development moments and instead merely operate as a prelude to the big action set-pieces.

I also read a review in today's Guardian that suggested Amy Adams' Lois Lane was underwritten.  How successful do you think her character portrayal is?  My other fear is that writing strong female characters may be Nolan and David Goyer's sticking point if the otherwise generally excellent Dark Knight films are anything to go by (especially bleedin' Rachel Dawes... ).

[Paul (ral)]

Lois actually given a lot to do.

I won't comment on Clark until the weekend.

[The Dark Knight]

I have written a foreword to my main score review, which I will work on later. Here it is:

Foreword
A new sound for the Man of Tomorrow

First of all, let's get this out of the way. I am not a big Superman fan. I am a Batman guy. But that doesn't mean I don't have an understanding of the character. Far from it. Superman is the Man of Tomorrow. Not the man of the past.

Another thing we have to get out of the way is that I only like one Superman film, and that's the glorified 1978 outing with Christopher Reeve. I like the movie, but don't love it. I more respect its place in comic book film history.

As a result, I find the praise thrown in its direction irritating. It is a satisfactory movie, but it's not everything Superman is and will ever be. For a section of the fan base to cling to this belief and to fear change lends me to call them Prima-Donners.

Nothing is sacred. Like all things, Superman '78 is a moment in time.

For an age, John Williams or bust was the message.  It was deemed sacrilegious and risky to deviate from it. Some still hold that opinion. So much so the 2006 film Superman Returns was downright fearful to cut the cord.

Composer John Ottman had this to say:

"Bryan said he wouldn't even green light the movie if he couldn't use the John Williams music. It was important for me to preserve the Williams theme right down to every single note for the opening titles."

Ottman goes on to say his Superman Returns score is a homage and not a rip-off of Williams.

To me, that is just all types of wrong. John Williams wasn't particularly caring about the 1940s Fleischer cartoons when he sat down to do his thing.

So when it was announced the 1978 theme would not be used in the 2013 film, people freaked. I knew straight away it was the right decision to start fresh. I said to myself about time. I long held the view Superman is seen as a relic and needed to be jazzed up for audiences today. A relaunch right down to his underpants. 

I make it no secret I have criticised Hans Zimmer in the past and was apprehensive about his hiring. But I was all aboard a new sound for a new generation. In that regard, I was happy to get behind his mission.

Come June 2013, I have listened to his complete deluxe score. He has done the job and proved something I knew all along. Of course a new sound is possible. It has been done before, but never has such a big deal been made.

Love or hate Hans' music, these sounds simply would not have existed if Williams' '78 score kept on being paid homage to. Regardless of how revered that main title march may be, these Prima-Donners and their adherence to the past turned me off to the character's future. That has changed.

The goal of Man of Steel is to capture the attention of people here and now. 2013. People like me. And speaking strictly for myself, they have done so.

Track list review to follow.

[BatmAngelus]

Great to hear the good buzz, Paul!

Can you confirm whether "Jenny" is ever called "Jenny Olsen?" 

Sites have discovered that the character's name badge has a different name and the actress' IMDB page just says "Jenny" now
http://www.themarysue.com/jimmy-olsen-jenny-jurwich/

[GBglide]

My review
http://www.batman-online.com/features/2013/6/11/review-man-of-steel-2013
Contains very slight spoilers.

I don't mean to be a anal retentive jerk, but when talking about Zod you accidentally wrote emphasizing when it should be empathizing.

Other than that, Nice review. 

[Paul (ral)]

My review
http://www.batman-online.com/features/2013/6/11/review-man-of-steel-2013
Contains very slight spoilers.

I don't mean to be a anal retentive jerk, but when talking about Zod you accidentally wrote emphasizing when it should be empathizing.

Other than that, Nice review. 

Oops! Cheers. I wrote the thing on my iPad and it keep changing the words I wrote....really irritating! Missed that one!

[Paul (ral)]

Great to hear the good buzz, Paul!

Can you confirm whether "Jenny" is ever called "Jenny Olsen?" 

Sites have discovered that the character's name badge has a different name and the actress' IMDB page just says "Jenny" now
http://www.themarysue.com/jimmy-olsen-jenny-jurwich/

I can't remember Ben. I went in assuming she was Jenny Olson so did really notice. I don't think she ever has a camera though!

[The Laughing Fish]

Here in Australia, we don't get Man of Steel until the 27th, so it's a bit of a wait until then. In the meantime, I thought I'd like to share this mondo poster of the movie that I found on Ain't It Cool News. Should've been the official movie poster.