Man of Steel

[johnnygobbs]

I don't know how the Clark/Superman and Lois Lane dynamic will now work with Lois knowing Superman's identity. 

Something I particularly enjoyed in the previous incarnations was the poignancy surrounding Clark's affection for Lois and his self-imposed inability to open up his heart to her, instead putting on the protective façade of her bumbling, ineffectual subordinate (although he's a journalist in the comic-books and earlier films it is still implied that Lois is already a veteran on 'The Daily Planet' and effectively the newbie Clark's mentor).  In those earlier versions it's almost heart-breaking to watch poor Clark suppress his 'manliness' and risk Lois's stinging, albeit light-hearted, mockery.  The concealed identity trope was a potentially rich source of drama that is seemingly limited now that the object of Clark's affection knows who he is.

[The Dark Knight]

Which is starting to make me think the following:

The film makers way around the 'it's only glasses' disguise in the sequel could be that mostly everyone at the Daily Planet knows, just like Lois does. But they decide to say nothing and go along with it. Honoured/happy that this hero is amongst them. Which could play up to a trust theme.

It would be a whole new dynamic. Which to tell you the truth, I wouldn't mind. It would be a way for Clark to be more or less Clark without bumbling around and having to be something he's not. There could be traces of it, but not full on Reeve mode. Especially if they're trying to differentiate this series to the Donnerverse.

[phantom stranger]

Which is starting to make me think the following:

The film makers way around the 'it's only glasses' disguise in the sequel could be that mostly everyone at the Daily Planet knows, just like Lois does. But they decide to say nothing and go along with it. Honoured/happy that this hero is amongst them. Which could play up to a trust theme.

Here's how you resolve it: Have a scene where Superman saves Clark in front of all of his Daily Planet colleagues and a cable news crew. After everyone leaves, Clark winks at Superman. As Superman flies off, we see Clark turn into the Martian Manhunter, providing a segueway into the Justice League movie.

[johnnygobbs]

Which is starting to make me think the following:

The film makers way around the 'it's only glasses' disguise in the sequel could be that mostly everyone at the Daily Planet knows, just like Lois does. But they decide to say nothing and go along with it. Honoured/happy that this hero is amongst them. Which could play up to a trust theme.

It would be a whole new dynamic. Which to tell you the truth, I wouldn't mind. It would be a way for Clark to be more or less Clark without bumbling around and having to be something he's not. There could be traces of it, but not full on Reeve mode. Especially if they're trying to differentiate this series to the Donnerverse.

That's the thing.  A lot of people have seen Superman close-up and people know that Lois journeyed to Smallville, Clark's home-town, for her sources.  In this day and age it's very hard to keep such a secret especially from the media.  In a more fantastical version of Superman one could easily suspend one's disbelief but this is the 'realistic' version.

[The Dark Knight]

On my idea again:

Superman says to the general at the end "you are looking to find where I hang my cape, but you won't".

This says that indeed, he isn't Superman all the time. In previous incarnations - TV, comic, film, the concept and assumed deceit was Superman was Superman, always in the suit and such. That is ruled out here. He is saying he does indeed do something else in his spare time.

And he also firmly believes his identity is watertight with his "you won't" comment. I think he's mistaken, as johnnygobbs posted above. "I'm as American as you can get, I grew up in Kansas" narrows things down a lot too.Though it could come down to the trust thing, as Superman says as well. "Then I'll just have to trust you." Lots of people knowing, Superman thinking they don't – going on that model. That trust could be reciprocated.

[johnnygobbs]

On my idea again:

Superman says to the general at the end "you are looking to find where I hang my cape, but you won't".

This says that indeed, he isn't Superman all the time. In previous incarnations - TV, comic, film, the concept and assumed deceit was Superman was Superman, always in the suit and such. That is ruled out here. He is saying he does indeed do something else in his spare time.

And he also firmly believes his identity is watertight with his "you won't" comment. I think he's mistaken, as johnnygobbs posted above. "I'm as American as you can get, I grew up in Kansas" narrows things down a lot too.Though it could come down to the trust thing, as Superman says as well. "Then I'll just have to trust you." Lots of people knowing, Superman thinking they don't – going on that model. That trust could be reciprocated.

All though it's a massive stretch to believe that many people could keep and be willing to keep a secret of such magnitude in this day and age (or any era for that matter) it might be an interesting angle for the filmmakers to develop with further films: the theme of trust, and whether Kal El's adopted planet will continue to let him live his life as a 'regular' human being irrespective of his alien identity.

I find it hard to buy though, not least because of all the panic the existence of such a super-powered being might evoke in a world gripped by fear and at the moment, terrorist paranoia.  Perhaps that's an angle Lex Luthor might exploit in a future film possibly as part of his run for the presidency.  It would certainly make for a more 'grown-up' and potentially political Superman movie.

[The Dark Knight]

It is hard to buy. Though when it concerns Superman's secret identity remaining a secret, everything is. I think this angle could be something interesting, though. The humans let Kal-El live as a human.

[johnnygobbs]

It is hard to buy. Though when it concerns Superman's secret identity remaining a secret, everything is. I think this angle could be something interesting, though. The humans let Kal-El live as a human.

I agree.  It's a very positive, if admittedly far-fetched message.  The decency, humanity if you will, of humans, and whether they will end up proving Kal El/Clark's adopted father's fears wrong and as you state 'let him live as a human' or whether they will in fact end up betraying his trust.  Although by taking a job to get 'close to the action' I suppose Kal El is not entirely forsaking an extraordinary life and means to exist as a superhero.

[Batman88]

I saw the movie last Tuesday with my brother and a friend.

Theater was almost packed.

Always have been a big SuperMan comic book fan (although, the Batman has always been my number one guy  ) since I was a kid but never totally bought into the 1978 movie because I always felt that the humorous part was too prevalent and knew there was more to the character than a "light-approach": at least, that's how I have always envisioned the character.

Christopher Reeve I always have loved in the role, though. He was the one who made those movies work.

Basically, in my mind Man of Steel is the SuperMan movie I'd always imagined: somewhat brooding, philosophical and with this great, huge "global" humanistic feel to it.

And this movie delivers just that !

The whole atmosphere you breathe watching the film is exactly what I hoped the filmmakers would go for and treasure about the best moments and characteristics of the comic book and its world.

All of the cast was terrific and needless to say the fact that Kevin Costner was in this, playing Pa Kent, the one character I've always felt a lot of connection to for the values he stands for, was beyond awesome.

And I know I must have been the only going to the movie last night anticipating Kevin's scenes the most (though, I'd been fervently anticipating the movie for two years, make no mistake) : he played Pa Kent with such gravity and dignity that I really , really wish there had been many more scenes with him. Really, I felt the best part of the movie, and this is what I hoped the filmmakers would go all out about, was the relationship between Kal-El and his earth parents and what they understatedly and through practical example imbued in him.

Henry Cavill was terrific : I always felt like no one else could come close to Chris Reeve's performance and embodiment of the character, but Henry did and went beyond it. He's the SuperMan for my generation and this movie is, too.

Now, you can all start tearing me apart 

[The Dark Knight]

Glad you liked it, Batman88.

I genuinely like Hans Zimmer's score for MOS. Surprising I know. I'm working on a review now.