Rated: P13
Genre: Action
Running Time: 142 minutes
Director: Zack Snyder
Writer: David S. Goyer
Cast: Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Diane Lane, Kevin Costner, Michael Shannon, Antje Traue, Russell Crowe
Synopsis: A young boy learns that he has extraordinary powers and is not of this Earth. As a young man, he journeys to discover where he came from and what he was sent here to do. But the hero in him must emerge if he is to save the world from annihilation and become the symbol of hope for all mankind.
Verdict: This reboot lacks of genuine originality, largely an improved and improvised adaptation of the previous franchise's first two Superman films (1978 & 1980), with similarities to the style of Nolan's Batman films (not as dark though) and the alien invasion setting in Transformers 3 and Marvel's The Avengers. Snyder also carelessly left out humour and the deeper play of philosophical differences between characters (something which I'm sure Nolan wouldn't have missed if he was the director). However, even with all that being said, Man of Steel is still a great Superman movie. It fixed most of the plot holes in the previous franchise's films, it's very emotional, and it has the best (and longest) live action Superman action sequence to date.
Second opinion: "Very nice! Why is Henry Cavill so much hotter in this movie? He's handsome even in the hobo look here and when his smile... aaahhh" (girlfriend, who's never seen any Superman film before this).
Henry Cavill vs Christopher Reeve: Cannot be compared. Cavill did very well for this emotional version of Clark Kent/Superman whereas the late great Reeve was perfect, in my opinion, for the personality and attitude of the previous franchise's which, I believe, was more faithful to the original comics. Same can be said about Michael Shannon's General Zod and Terrence Stamp's.
Post-credit scene: Good news, there is none.
To watch in 3D? Even at an IMAX theater, most parts of the film are 2D-ish more than anything. Blame Zack Snyder for opting to convert the film to 3D in post production instead of filming it as one.
The most obvious sponsor: Nikon.
Rating: 3.5 / 5
[SPOILER SECTION BEGINS HERE]----------------------------------------------------------------
Problems of the previous franchise fixed: Gives the audience valid reasons as to why Clark Kent/Kal-El/Superman (Henry Cavill) falls for Lois Lane (Amy Adams); this Lois Lane gets to know Superman's identity from the very beginning (so there won't be a "why can't she tell that he's Superman when the glasses are his only disguise" issue in coming sequels); General Zod (Michael Shannon) doesn't find Kal-El and Earth by chance; an explanation to why General Zod is the way he is; an explanation to why Superman is stronger than the rest; Jor-El's projection and answers to Kal-El's questions are not anticipated but instead he has his thoughts and memory saved on to a pendrive-cum-key-cum-button which allows him to turn into an independent A.I (sort of) when uploaded.
What they didn't fix: Kryptonians are Caucasians and they speak English even in their own planet; the film's attempts to thrill audience with scenes of minor characters in danger that predictably won't die.
Lois Lane: She's such a genius she could track down Clark Kent, use a Kryptonian weapon for the first time flawlessly and find a way to eliminate a World Engine. Ha-ha-ha...
Superman killed some people? There's a scene where he pushes General Zod through miles of buildings and stuffs, and one of them is a gas station. That causes it to explode, presumably with people around and in its kiosk. And he doesn't even take a moment to regret it. Bad Superman!
Pro-United States: In most movies with alien invasion (like Transformers 3 and The Avengers as mentioned above), only American soldiers step up to help save the world, if not try saving it by themselves. Man of Steel is no different. It's always the US. And no matter how far away they fought, they always end up back to the place where the other minor characters were struggling at.
This Superman film is more realistic than Fast & Furious...
Where's Superman's underwear? Left in the past.
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