Man Of Steel | Review

Last year we mentioned that there will be a new Superman film to “Reboot” the franchise,and since then there has been much talk about this film. We have mentioned the pros,and cons of this new franchise. We where told that they wanted to re imagine the hero “land him in a modern America”. From the removal of the underwear on the outside of his suit,to the removal of his iconic s-curl. They promised a departure from the origin story and an all around fresh look character had us all worried,and though we have had our reservations about this film over the past year we went into this film with an open mind. From the opening credits it gives you a feel of the original 1989 Batman,and opening into the birth of Kal-El (Clark Kent,Superman). As the audience is introduced to Krypton, you start to notice, the world is quite different from Earth.(If you are a fan of the comics you will notice that there is no red sun on Krypton.) The world has a Star Wars feel to it with Jor-El riding what looks like a flying dragon; which is odd considering the advanced technology Krypton is suppose to have. Then elements of the Matrix make an appearance, as the explain the people of Krypton are not born but, grown. They are also bread to do what ever hob that is selected,and seemingly void of free will in this futuristic society.

Though Jor-El is just a scientist, he gives General Zod a run for his money when he tries stop the escape of his son. From this point on the film gets very slow with cut scenes to his past as a child in Smallville, to modern day Clerk searching for himself. Not soon after this we met Lois Lane,and she figures out who he is in the first few hours of meeting him. It starts to feel like he doesn’t completely know how to use his abilities ,much like in the television show Smallville. When moment comes for him to don the cape it seems fast as if his talk with Jor-El his real father was about an hour. It is in this talk that we leave that it is that fact that our solar systems young sun,and Earth’s atmosphere that gives him his abilities.

Yet another far departure from the comic book mythos of the Earth’s yellow sun giving him his abilities.After what seems to be a very short pep talk, Superman walks out of the Fortress of solitude,and follows the advice in which he seems he learns to fly all to easy. This maybe to make up for an incredibly boring first act,but it comes across as very unnatural. It is very odd that with the major budget for special effects,they never Superman never runs faster than a speeding bullet even before he teaches himself to fly. With all the hype surrounding his beard they never show ,or discuss how he shaves at all in the film.

The fight scenes are epic as they claim to be yes,but there is very little substance to Superman. Which seems that unlike the James Bond character Superman can only really be played by one actor successfully. This film is very much like The Dark Knight Rises, it has moved so far away from the origin of the character , in a way as to just fit the needs of the director/ producers. When it comes to these super hero films you must suspend your beliefs, and sometimes logic to get into the story. Superman is an alien for another galaxy that looks like us,but can fly,has unbelievable strength,ice breath,heat vision,is faster than a speeding bullet ,ect. He is also the ultimate stance for justice,and the American way. Which is why when he snapped General Zod’s neck it is to far from who he is in the comics….not even Batman which is his exact opposite (Batman was made to be the a darker version of Superman) of superman who willing kill,as we saw in The Dark Knight. The original Superman would have found another way other than murder.

Verdict: If you are a Superman fan you will not like this film,and all and all wait for the sequel much like the first Batman Begins the can only get better from here.