Man of Steel

[phantom stranger]

I thoroughly enjoyed it but it certainly has its flaws.

The way I see it the movie is a culmination of all previous Superman incarnations. I'd like to think that the filmmakers purposefully didn't spend much time with a teenage Clark Kent struggling with his powers because that was covered in Smallville.

Likewise,  they didn't spend too much time developing the Clark/Lois romance because that was already covered in Lois & Clark.

And they didn't want to do a standard Superhero origin movie because it's already been covered in all of the above plus the Reeve movies, cartoons, etc. Hence the reason we never see scene where the Kents discover Clark.

In that sense, there's nothing wrong with "cutting to the chase" except that it creates some pacing issues with the film. But to be fair, the one thing we've never seen is a modern live-action Superman slugfest with plenty of sci-fi elements. That's what we've all been waiting for and that's what we got.

Aside from the pacing/editing issues, I'd say there were a number of tropes, but no more than you typically see in this genre.

Probably my biggest complaint is that the rumored easter eggs (Wonder Woman cameo? Justice League reference?) weren't in the movie.

[johnnygobbs]

I'll give my full opinion later but one thing I did appreciate was Superman chastising the Obama-lookalike general at the end of the film for his use of drones.  I could be way off the mark here but I like to think there was a timely political message behind this scene not least in the casting of Harry Lennix.  I wonder if the White House has had a 'Man of Steel' screening yet. 

[Grissom]

Saw it yesterday and must say I really enjoyed it and so did the almost packed house audience. I appreciate that they did something different, with the non-linear storytelling. Wonderful performances and epic action, with some nice dramatic scenes. Jonathan Kent dying was quite emotional, you could hear a pin drop in the cinema at that scene. Looking forward to a sequel! A solid 8/10.

[gordonblu]

I thought the way Jonathan Kent died was one of the stupidest plot points I've seen in a long time. I don't care if Jonathan thought the world wasn't ready for Kal, rescuing his adopted father surely should have been worth the risk and only gave this version of Supes more "angst". His chastising Clark for rescuing the school bus was also overtly harsh.

[johnnygobbs]

I thought the way Jonathan Kent died was one of the stupidest plot points I've seen in a long time. I don't care if Jonathan thought the world wasn't ready for Kal, rescuing his adopted father surely should have been worth the risk and only gave this version of Supes more "angst". His chastising Clark for rescuing the school bus was also overtly harsh.

I thought the Jonathan Kent-Clark heart-to-hearts were pretty poignant, as was his death although it kind of annoys me he died for a dog.    I am an animal lover but still...his death would have been more powerful and heroic if it had been for say a child trapped in their car.

[THE BAT-MAN]

I got a chance to see Man OF Steel last Tuesday, and right now my feelings toward it are very mixed.  Understand, that I am a huge Superman fan as well as a comic book fan.  The week before I went to go see it,  I did a Superman movie marathon which included all the movies: STM, SII (lester Cut) SII (Donner Cut) SIII, SIV, and SR.  I understood that MOS was a reboot and was loosley based on the comics of Earth One, Superman Birthright, and John Byrne's Man Of Steel series as well as a reimagining of Superman: The movie and Superman II. 

The problems I have with the film are mostly due to the storyline/character development and how it was executed.  Hans Zimmer's score was just another generic action score there was nothing special about it.  The movie at times seems to lack heart.

The visuals were okay and the action scenes were intense.  We finally got to see superman have his slugfest, but at what cost?

All in all I thought the film was just okay when compared to the source material and previous superman films.  However, I still enjoyed it alot more than most of marvel's films.   Maybe with more viewings I might have a better perspective on it.  

 

[Cobblepot4Mayor]

I thought the way Jonathan Kent died was one of the stupidest plot points I've seen in a long time. I don't care if Jonathan thought the world wasn't ready for Kal, rescuing his adopted father surely should have been worth the risk and only gave this version of Supes more "angst". His chastising Clark for rescuing the school bus was also overtly harsh.

As a devoted Reeve fan I was surprised how much I enjoyed the film in the end. I don't think it's the best nor definitive Superman movie though. And several things bothered me but still had a great time watching it.

But yes this death of Johnathan Kent scene did not convince me at all. I guess it's wrong to compare this with Donner's 1978 original but that death scene of Johnathan (played by Glenn Ford) is still just so brilliant and a good example at proving in this case the Reeve films can and do still outclass this newer film in numerous ways. I love the fact it's something as simple as a heart attack that takes him from Clark's life (and something that Clark with all his powers and lack of experience cannot prevent). Having recently lost my own father (himself a massive Superman fan) it's amazing how much you relate to a believable, beautifully shot scene like this when you do finally experience a loss in that way.

I found it quite strange therefore in the way they disposed of him this time. Largely because Nolan, Snyder and Goyer have gone on and on and on about this being a far more grounded, realistic film than any previous Superman films. Yet when Johnathan is taken by the tornado he is gracefully consumed by the swirling cyclone in almost a ghost-like disappearing act. Elegantly shot material for film but realism? Er well. I mean who would stand there in real life and allow themselves to be taken in a situation like that? Wouldn't you not be screaming in terror as you realize your life is about to end? Isn't that not realism Mr Goyer? I just thought it was a moment that betrayed all their over-spoken intentions.

[BatmAngelus]

Superman: Birthright writer, Mark Waid, had a negative reaction to the film as well.
http://thrillbent.com/blog/man-of-steel-since-you-asked/

Waid did defend Jonathan Kent's characterization and death scene:

And I think you'd be surprised to find that I loved everything about Jonathan Kent. I loved his protectiveness, even when it made him sound like an asshole. ("Maybe.") And I loved, loved, loved that scene where Clark didn't save him, because Goyer did something magical–he took two moments that, individually, I would have hated and he welded them together into something amazing. Out of context, I would have hated that Clark said "You're not my real dad," or whatever he says right before the tornado. And out of context, I would have loathed that Clark stood by frozen with helplessness as the tornado killed Jonathan. But the reason that beat worked is because Clark had just said "You're not my dad," the last real words he said to Pa. Tearful Clark choosing to go against his every instinct in that last second because he had to show his father he trusted him after all, because he had to show Pa that Pa could trust him and that Clark had learned, Clark did love him–that worked for me, hugely. It was a very brave story choice, but it worked. It worked largely on the shoulders of Cavill, who sold it. It worked as a tragic rite of passage. I kinda wish I'd written that scene.

Personally, I'm in the camp that says that Jonathan Kent didn't have to die at all (and in perhaps the most traumatic version yet of killing the character).  When the movie already has Clark exposing himself by using his powers to rescue others, having him risk exposure to save his father would've been a better fit for the movie and for the spirit of the character.  I bought that this version of Jonathan Kent would die to protect his son, but I didn't for a second believe that Clark would obey that or that Martha would let that happen either.  It felt extremely contrived and a way to add unnecessary angst to Clark's character, complete with cribbing the "You're not my father" final argument from Raimi's Spider-Man.

A great parody on the whole movie: http://io9.com/the-most-important-scenes-from-man-of-steel-as-i-remem-516405346

Pa Kent: Goodbye, Clark.

Young Clark: Okay, you are literally going to die. I'm coming to get you.

Pa Kent: You'll do no such thing! I've told you, you must not use your powers to save people's lives!

Young Clark: Then when in the holy !@#$ should I use them?

Pa Kent: I don't know! Later sometime.

Young Clark: But not when my dad is about to die right in front of me and I could easily save him.

Pa Kent: Right.

Young Clark: Even though I could run and get you and be back in about a second, and most people would never believe their eyes thanks to the chaos of the tornado.

Pa Kent: Exactly.

Young Clark: Or I could grab you, run you someplace safe, get back here almost instantly, and we could pretend the tornado blew you someplace and you miraculously survived but without my involvement.

Pa Kent: Right. Don't do that.

Young Clark: Look, I can't help but feel we have a lot of solid options here that can save your life and preserve my secret simultaneously. I really don't think this needs to happen.

Pa Kent: Don't you sass me, boy!

[ElCuervoMuerto]

I personally enjoyed the hell out of this. It's pretty much all I could ask for in a modern Superman movie, and I don't really buy the argument that it changes or re-imagines Superman (young Kal-El seemed pretty alienated even in the first Donner film). It's taking Superman and placing him in a contemporary context and seeing how it would play out.

Anyway some random thoughts I had already posted at BoF:


*Loved the Krypton scenes, and loved how it was all integral to the plot. Krypton was not just something to show and them move on from, Krypton was felt throughout the movie. I would actually be totally down with a prequel set completely on Krypton staring Crowe and Shannon. I wanna know more about that society, it's tech, it's fauna , it's flora, etc, etc. And I loved the nods to Man of Steel with the Birthing Matrixes.

*Loved the effects of young Clarks x-ray vision messing with him. And how they colored his face when he used his heat vision. Love all those little touches (and of course he emotional core of the film was great).

*Maybe it's the cynic in me, but I gotta say I like the notion that the people of Smallville think of divine intervention before they think alien or military tech when it comes to Clark's abilities. Makes for a good cover I guess. Also really liked how Pete went from a bully to friend for Clark.

*At first I thought Clark's costume reveal was too sudden and almost comical. But when I saw that it's essentially his "training sequence" and him learning to fly (and enjoying it!) I really liked that scene.

*Amy Adams is awesome. The Doctor Who fan in me couldn't help but think of her as Superman's "companion" specially in the way she went with him to Zod's ship and figured out how to beat the Kryptonians with AI Jor-EL's help. She going to the Kryptonioan ship is my one narrative nit-pick for the film (why do they need her on the ship to read her mind if they can read Superman's mind as well?) but it's a minor element that doesn't bother me.

*Zod is scary, layered, complex, tragic, and despicable. Michael Shannon continues to hit it out of the park.

*Cavill is great in the role, he embodies Superman perfectly. His Superman, is strong, confident, funny, conforming, powerful, respectful, ie everything Superman should be. It's yet to be seen if he plays "disguise" Clark as well (if it's even the angle that they go for, seems like the may stick with "regular guy Bryne Clark", more on this latter), but I loved how he played it. I really don't think the "Superman Curse" will strike again, because this guy seems like a bona-fide movie star to me.

*The action was amazing. While I understand why some people may have been turned off by this, I loved how the destruction felt real, like it's going to take years to rebuild. This makes Avengers look like Sesame Street.

*The final fight was an intense at it needed to be, and the way it ended... It ended really the only way it could, and it still showed Superman in in pain over loosing the last of his people. He really didn't want to kill Zod, just like he didn't want to leave Pa Kent to die. But in both cases he absolutely did what he had to. While I understand the shock of seeing Superman do this, it was played in a way that I actually buy, as opposed to Superman #22 and Superman 2 (I don't think Superman would choose to execute anyone after they where no longer a treat). Funnily enough this also reminded me of Doctor Who, as the scene is extremely similar to the Tenth Doctor and the Master's final scene together in  "Last of the Time Lords".

"Welcome to the PLANET". Lord did I love that last scene. And while they modernized Clark's wardrobe wearing jeans and everything, in the end it's just Clark Kent again, dude in glasses. No different hair or anything, just eye glasses (glasses that he only puts on in the elevator mind you). It's like the filmmakers where telling the audience "sure we're going for semi-realistic and everything sure, but Superman's disguise is just glasses. Nothing more nothing less, just glasses. Get over it". I cannot overstate how much I love that. And the fact that Lois knows works so damn well....

Anyway yeah. Cannot wait to see this again. It it's not a perfect film, but I haven't been this satisfied by a superhero film since TDK. Can't wait to see more of this series. 8.5/10

[Cobblepot4Mayor]

I personally enjoyed the hell out of this. It's pretty much all I could ask for in a modern Superman movie, and I don't really buy the argument that it changes or re-imagines Superman (young Kal-El seemed pretty alienated even in the first Donner film). It's taking Superman and placing him in a contemporary context and seeing how it would play out.

Anyway some random thoughts I had already posted at BoF:


*Loved the Krypton scenes, and loved how it was all integral to the plot. Krypton was not just something to show and them move on from, Krypton was felt throughout the movie. I would actually be totally down with a prequel set completely on Krypton staring Crowe and Shannon. I wanna know more about that society, it's tech, it's fauna , it's flora, etc, etc. And I loved the nods to Man of Steel with the Birthing Matrixes.

*Loved the effects of young Clarks x-ray vision messing with him. And how they colored his face when he used his heat vision. Love all those little touches (and of course he emotional core of the film was great).

*Maybe it's the cynic in me, but I gotta say I like the notion that the people of Smallville think of divine intervention before they think alien or military tech when it comes to Clark's abilities. Makes for a good cover I guess. Also really liked how Pete went from a bully to friend for Clark.

*At first I thought Clark's costume reveal was too sudden and almost comical. But when I saw that it's essentially his "training sequence" and him learning to fly (and enjoying it!) I really liked that scene.

*Amy Adams is awesome. The Doctor Who fan in me couldn't help but think of her as Superman's "companion" specially in the way she went with him to Zod's ship and figured out how to beat the Kryptonians with AI Jor-EL's help. She going to the Kryptonioan ship is my one narrative nit-pick for the film (why do they need her on the ship to read her mind if they can read Superman's mind as well?) but it's a minor element that doesn't bother me.

*Zod is scary, layered, complex, tragic, and despicable. Michael Shannon continues to hit it out of the park.

*Cavill is great in the role, he embodies Superman perfectly. His Superman, is strong, confident, funny, conforming, powerful, respectful, ie everything Superman should be. It's yet to be seen if he plays "disguise" Clark as well (if it's even the angle that they go for, seems like the may stick with "regular guy Bryne Clark", more on this latter), but I loved how he played it. I really don't think the "Superman Curse" will strike again, because this guy seems like a bona-fide movie star to me.

*The action was amazing. While I understand why some people may have been turned off by this, I loved how the destruction felt real, like it's going to take years to rebuild. This makes Avengers look like Sesame Street.

*The final fight was an intense at it needed to be, and the way it ended... It ended really the only way it could, and it still showed Superman in in pain over loosing the last of his people. He really didn't want to kill Zod, just like he didn't want to leave Pa Kent to die. But in both cases he absolutely did what he had to. While I understand the shock of seeing Superman do this, it was played in a way that I actually buy, as opposed to Superman #22 and Superman 2 (I don't think Superman would choose to execute anyone after they where no longer a treat). Funnily enough this also reminded me of Doctor Who, as the scene is extremely similar to the Tenth Doctor and the Master's final scene together in  "Last of the Time Lords".

"Welcome to the PLANET". Lord did I love that last scene. And while they modernized Clark's wardrobe wearing jeans and everything, in the end it's just Clark Kent again, dude in glasses. No different hair or anything, just eye glasses (glasses that he only puts on in the elevator mind you). It's like the filmmakers where telling the audience "sure we're going for semi-realistic and everything sure, but Superman's disguise is just glasses. Nothing more nothing less, just glasses. Get over it". I cannot overstate how much I love that. And the fact that Lois knows works so damn well....

Anyway yeah. Cannot wait to see this again. It it's not a perfect film, but I haven't been this satisfied by a superhero film since TDK. Can't wait to see more of this series. 8.5/10

I too enjoyed that final scene you mentioned: the intro of glasses laden Clark Kent. I'll even go so far as to say it's my favorite scene in the entire film. I'd heard in interviews a lot the film would have a new take on Clark. Heard Lois would immediately know all about him and that there seemed to be a definite lack of "Daily Planet Kent" featured in the movie. So I'd geared myself up prior to seeing it with the belief they had totally thrown out secret identity Clark and we're just going to have Superman at all times. There had also of course been a kind of running joke in fandom that Lois is so stupid in that a pair of mere glasses always fool her. With Nolan involved I dreaded here we go, they've utterly deleted the Clark Kent concept for being too silly, unreal blah blah blah. I figured if they had done that it would have been slightly ironic since it was Superman in comics who popularized the super hero double identity in the first place. Taking that of the equation in a highly popular film would no doubt have given DC a "loaded gun" to removing his human disguise from the books and trying it themselves. As I added it up it all got a bit frightening for this fan who enjoys Superman acting the part of a meek individual.

So you can imagine my utter joy of seeing that last scene having managed to avoid spoilers. That scene has completely excited me for sequels I previously had no interest in or felt had been too quickly raced into production. To see how Cavill fully acts his Clark Kent side next time in Daily Planet mode. Already we have something exciting, new and different for the follow up that unlike in Batman Begins (we heard about the Joker card) we actually got to see a glimpse of the future here.

Some have expressed a worry Lois actually knows it's Superman under those glasses. I too am unsure if this will really work out for future movies, at the moment it's fine. Critics felt it denies the character's the fun stuff of Lois completely unsuspecting his identity. I love for instance scenes like in Superman II when Reeve as Kent clumsily "rescues" Lois from the wild river she jumped into looking so unlike Superman lol To not be able to have new takes on moments like this seems a bit of a shame. However for those completely unhappy with Lois being in on Superman's identity look at the famous diner scene in Superman II. Clark, still wearing his Daily Planet "disguise" and yet Lois knew at that point everything about him. Had they used Margot Kidder fully in Superman III I suspect the Salkind's may have gone totally with this concept (a similar idea was seen in Spider-Man 2 and 3 also). So in a way the Reeve films have already flirted with that idea and for me it gives them the licence to flesh it out larger for Cavill's second outing and see what works and what doesn't.