My Analysis of Henry Cavill's Kal-EL
Hit the jump as I explain why we got the perfect man for the job!
A common criticism of this film is the lack of characterization in Clark/Kal-El/Superman. The thing to remember here is Clark, Kal-El, and Superman are all somewhat seperate identities. Zack wanted to make a movie about Kal-El. This is a movie about discovery. About Clark Kent discovering his place among this world.
I feel we were given not a dark Superman, but a Superman in a world of dark circumstance. We see Clark growing up afraid, confused, and alienated. Very common in the comics, and adapted quite well here. The most characterization we get of Clark is in the flashbacks with his parents, and any interaction with him and his mother. This is very different from the characterization of Kal-El. Who is unsure whether or not to embrace the destiny of being the savior of the planet. Any conversation with Jor-El shows this. The only time I felt we had a "brooding" Clark was moments before his conversation with the preist, but not during his conversation. And that is just because we have Clark about to make his biggest decision; whether or not to reveal himself as Superman to the world.
Henry delivered the lines he did have perfectly. He brought a great sense of heart, and warmth to role that we truly have not seen. I will agree he should have been given more to work with, and this is the fault of Goyer. There was also 37 minutes cut to make the final film. Henry did an amazing job of showing his emotion in his face. It showed big time, and he nailed showing a modest, humble Superman in general. With Terrio on board, and an origin story out of the way, I can't wait to see how he delivers in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.
Pictured below, is an unrecognizable, gloomy, dark, brooding Superman that showed no heart or emotion, and was a poor attempt to imitate the Dark Knight Trilogy. Would it kill the guy to crack a smile?
My final verdict? Henry Cavill is Superman. Bring it on in the next installment!