In defense of MAN OF STEEL, it's Controversies, and the World's Finest

In defense of MAN OF STEEL, it's Controversies, and the World's Finest

Editorial Opinion
By metalslugg3r - Aug 03, 2013 09:08 PM EST
Filed Under: Superman

I start off by saying that i loved the man of steel film and felt that it filled all the holes that Superman Returns had and paved way for a more complex "Else-World" Superman for the silver screen.

I will make this as short and brief as I can but there have been too many articles on the upset of the ending in MAN of STEEL and that controversy has only paved way to more hate on the way the sequel was introduced.
1. Superman Kills Zod

First off, NEARLY EVERY ADAPTATION OF SUPERMAN HAS KILLED. Christopher Reeve in Superman 2 (both versions) KILLED zod, throwing his mortal converted self down the depths of the fortress to freeze and die. Clark in Smallville killed at least one of the kandorians and is responsible for the death of Jimmy Olsen and Jonathan Kent. There was absolutely NO surprise to me as to how or why Cavill's superman snapped Zod's neck at the end, and I am more appalled of how badly received it was only because it was more visceral than the Donner version, because the music didn't play all heroic when it happened.

2. The Sequel

For any of you that watched the Superman 75th Anniversary panel, you would know that David S. Goyer was present and he revealed a lot more about the MAN OF STEEL SEQUEL than the WB panel. i put sequel in caps because that is what this film is. a MAN OF STEEL SEQUEL!!! Goyer basically laid out the equivalent of Batman's character being treated like a plot device, a new as ALL sequels introduce new characters. (Iron Man 2: War Machine, Black Widow, and Nick Fury….or TDKR with Catwoman). Imagine a film with batman's character portrayed as more mysterious and through the interaction between the two, we come to UNDERSTAND Clark Kent's stance on Justice and the means by fulfilling it in contrast to Wayne's. it is ONLY through this, can we better understand SUPERMAN in a more relatable way in this new generation. Facing off against Brainiac does nothing for audiences to fully develop the superman character at this current time. We need Clark to grow into the leader of many heroes, and this is the start of something larger. Unlike Iron man and Avengers, Superman and DC is on another league of its own and therefore CANNOT follow the same format…Iron man 1 and 2 etc before a team up.

I envision DC's route will be very similar to every Graphic novel in DC's best lineup, like Kingdom Come were more heroes are introduced as the story keeps going in a seamless fashion, and all in addition to Superman, but Superman is at the helm of everything. I have no problem with World's Finest.

Goyer also mentioned that EVERYTHING about MAN OF STEEL in terms of destruction will be addressed and will all be things Superman has to "answer for" in the upcoming film. YouTube the panel for his exact words. This all to me translates that this well MORE a superman film than a batman story.

Try not to get caught up in that just because batman is in this film doesn't mean its no less superman's story. I feel that the BEST way to grow Superman is through the relationship and bonds he builds with other characters. And I do not expect an origin for batman, and if so it would be the bare essentials.

I'll end it here, lets have a discussion about this. I am very optimistic about the film, and also bare in mind that this venture is really unprecedented in cinema in general, so it is not something we should fret. We should encourage innovation and new ways to progress a franchise. I don't see it as a rush. There is all the time in the world to make more Man of Steel single movies, but I do feel that so long as everything about the first movie is addressed, (which it will be according to Goyer), then we should be alright Fans.

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sameoldthing
sameoldthing - 8/3/2013, 9:45 PM
I don't mind Bats in MOS sequel ... As you say,as films continue more characters need introduction.
Tajin88
Tajin88 - 8/3/2013, 9:52 PM
All I need is Batman kicking his ass in his own movie. There are various ways to get it done, like introducing Kryptonite.
agentawsume
agentawsume - 8/3/2013, 10:17 PM
Sometimes I feel like I'm one of the very few people on this site that liked Man of Steel and Iron Man 3....meh
Erik10101
Erik10101 - 8/3/2013, 11:05 PM
This is not news.

Man of Steel was disappointing, and its sequel will probably be just as underwhelming.

Too bad the movie didn't stack up to the trailers.
SuperSpiderMan5778
SuperSpiderMan5778 - 8/3/2013, 11:23 PM
loved Man of Steel ...Pacific Rim was better
Erik10101
Erik10101 - 8/3/2013, 11:30 PM
loki668
loki668 - 8/3/2013, 11:56 PM
I agree that more characters need to be introduced to the DC cinematic universe but, why make Batman (already well and truly established) the first character introduced? There are many other characters (Wonder Woman being a big one) who could have benefited from a crossover introduction and you still could have introduced Batman at some point in the film (thus giving everyone their Batman fix and setting the stage for more characters). I don't want to die of old age and pull a Citizen Kane ending where my dying words are a final plea to see what we've all been waiting for on the big screen (........Justice League.....)
JakeMurdock89
JakeMurdock89 - 8/4/2013, 12:32 AM
Man of Steel was one of the best CBMs ever and requires multiple viewings because its alot to take in.
sameoldthing
sameoldthing - 8/4/2013, 3:22 AM
Only reason Batman is appearing in MOS sequel is because Batman is perhaps the most popular superhero that exists.

People want more Batman..simple as that.
Every DC/WB film needs to intro more characters from the DCU.

If there ever is a JL film..intro 7 team members & every sequel needs to intro a few more.
Only way to get these cool heroes/villains the spotlight they deserve.
loki668
loki668 - 8/4/2013, 3:33 AM
@JediPhilosopher
The Donner films and MoS were just following the comics in the part where it IS Superman who kills General Zod. Even though they keep bringing the character back in the comics, it was Superman who literally executed Zod back in the day.

@OmegaDaGod
I think that it would be awesome if (besides including Wonder Woman), at the end of the film, they show that one of the supporting characters throughout the film was actually the Martian Manhunter the whole time.

JakeMurdock89
JakeMurdock89 - 8/4/2013, 3:52 AM
@Omega- Lois had to get saved repeatedly because she kept involving herself constantly in matters that are too big for her putting herself in danger, which IS exactly how Lois should be portrayed. In my opinion this is one film you need to bring your brain into the theatre with you. I'm not exactly sure why this movie has pissed you off this much and what mistakes your referring to it was EPIC, great acting, amazing CGI/action, a flawed Superman who needs to learn to become his full potential rather than be a Boy Scout all the time which is something I've always disliked about the character, a great villan who you TRULYsympathysed with, and took CBMs to a whole nother level. Who really wants a Superman who can be everywhere at once? Despite all his power he still has to have some flaws or we loose interest, and for a hero becoming a hero for the first time Supes had a lot more on his plate than most others we've seen.
aresww3
aresww3 - 8/4/2013, 6:18 AM
@everyone - I´m in the middle about ManOfSteel. It was a beautiful movie to look at, but the way the trailers made it seem like it was going to be, I just expected a far more emotional and mature take on the character. I heard someone say Older Clark/Cavill had less lines in this movie than Gosling in drive. Now I know sometimes, dialogue isn´t needed, sometimes silence or expression is better to communicate a characters feelings, but they just presented to me a character I was supposed to care about cause he was "Superman", they didn´t present a film like Batman Begins, where the assumption was, nobody knew this character. That is exactly what Snyder said he was doing in comiccon, presenting superman as if the Donner films had never been made, as if they were starting again and putting a modern spin on it. But that is not what they did at all. The action in the movie was incredible, but character development 0. Its a tragedy cause it could have been great, but alas it was only good. Don´t care in the slightest about him killing zod, but I do care that he did some pretty ridiculous stuff like smashing into an Ihop, not caring who he killed. I think Snyder should have gone meditated on some of the legitimate criticisms and praise people made of the first film and gone and tried to make a kick ass sequel before introducing Batman yet again. And a new one ta boot.

In the mean time DC/wb should have got their head out their ass and hired some topnotch writers (not Goyer) to get a Wonder Woman/Flash film in production. Learning from the mistakes of this film. If they needed to get a cameo for Batman in a Flash movie, would have been better, cause he out of all 3 would need that boost. I would have been happy even with Aquaman, i swear, just something else. Maybe a black or Asian DC character would have been nice as well. Batman/Superman is a dream come true, but sorry, just not like this. Superman deserves more. He needed one more shot to capture the hearts and minds of people, so that the general audience could catch up with comic audiences and see just how rich a character
he´s become.

Even better, I would have had a Wonder Woman movie, then had Batman/Superman/Wonder Woman Trinity vs doomsday. That would have been epic.
gmoney0505
gmoney0505 - 8/4/2013, 7:04 AM
Man of Steel is a great movie. Loved the story with the codex that gave the villain a reason to fight for. I loved all the sci-fi stuff in the movie in which what a Superman movie really needed. Enjoyed it way more than the stand up comedy superhero movie. I loved all the teases of the sequel stuff without actually trying to sequel bait. SOme of you need to watch again because at the end Clark is no the same character as he is at the end of the movie. You may have closed your eyes and not see him evolved as a character over the movie, but it does not hide the face that his character has grown over the course of the movie.

Man of Steel is the best superhero movie this year without contest. Great acting, strong story, Masterful visuals, best use of powers in a movie, and the best fight scenes in any superhero movie.
MrReese
MrReese - 8/4/2013, 7:14 AM
MoS was [frick]ing awesome!
kenjim152
kenjim152 - 8/4/2013, 7:46 AM
Come on guys!!!! Be realistic MOS over sold all CBM in History, but Spidermam, Iron Man, the avengers and Batman!!!! And we all know (numbers do not lie) that the avengers sold because of Iron Man. And all the buzz that MOS created has made it a topic that will stay there for months to come, that is why we are talking about here!!!, WB did their Job, they gave us a great movie, they proved the market is still there even after SUperman Returns. You can keep complaining about how dissapointing (you believe) the movie is, but there is something numbers are telling us and that is that marvel never had as succesful CBM WB has had before any of their team ups movies. The question is still the same are WB capable of making a JL movie???? If they are well Marvelites and marvel studios had be better ready for this because if IM3 is the kind of movies they will be making well they are doomed.
Facade
Facade - 8/4/2013, 7:54 AM
I stopped reading after #1.

In Superman II we DO NOT KNOW for certain THE FALL WAS FATAL.

If it needs to be defended this much, there is a problem...end.
MrCBM56
MrCBM56 - 8/4/2013, 8:14 AM
Lmfao!!

best cbm ever. exceeded expectations. best comic book action/fights in a cbm. best of a lot of a lot of stuff-Jollem

The avengers, the dark knight, batman begins, iron man, spider man 2, spider man, the Incredible Hulk, First Class, dredd, and The dark knight rises all disagree with you.

Besides from very superb acting and awesome visual effects, MOS didnt provide a lot.

A awesome movie? Yes. The best cbm? NO.
Ocelot
Ocelot - 8/4/2013, 9:04 AM
"In Superman II we DO NOT KNOW for certain THE FALL WAS FATAL."

LMFAO it clearly results in Zod's death, hence why we dont see him again, dont even try to bullshit me with the deleted scene where he's alive, it didn't make the final cut, so it's not canon and never happened. Additionally Superman smirks and shows no concern over a man he's just murdered in cold blood, Zod was powerless remember. But because it's campy movie, people give it a pass.

Man of Steel isn't the best CBM, it clearly has problems but it's far better than the trash Donnor produced, that subsequently held the character back for 30 plus years, couldn't take Superman seriously pre-Man of Steel, LMAO @ that costume in returns LMFAO at the red underpants, works in different mediums like cartoons and comics but in live action it looks [frick]ing ridiculous.

LMAO bitching about Batman being in Man of Steel 2(Batman vs Superman or whatever they decide to call it) when the film is clearly still going to deal with plotlines, relationships and ramifications of the first film. Superman is still going to be the nexus just like he was in the first movie and everything in the film will most likely revolve around him.
CmndrShepard
CmndrShepard - 8/4/2013, 9:20 AM
"Who better to teach Superman to be a hero than Batman honestly."

Hmmm you're probably right! Between his 4 parents and Lois, it probably would have to be Batman
aresww3
aresww3 - 8/4/2013, 9:55 AM
"Who better to teach Superman to be a hero than Batman honestly."
Man thats a loaded statement, I would answer, just about anybody. Batman a goddamn psycho. I don´t think supes "a virtual god" needs life lessons from a vigilante obsessed with striking fear into the hearts of enemies. Why not Rorschach teach superman to be a hero. Same thing.
lucio7lopez
lucio7lopez - 8/4/2013, 10:23 AM
Haters, stop complain about the movie.
Man of Steel is awesome.
gmoney0505
gmoney0505 - 8/4/2013, 10:37 AM
@Marvell
How many people died on screen during the fight with Zod and Supes. Not one. Its pretty clear that the film makers showed the building empty when they were fighting in them. Let's just close our eyes to all the people he did save whenever he had the chance.

@SotoJuice
Let's just watch the last battle and say Supes was in control the entire battle (even though he was getting punched and thrown 95% of the battle, yes he was in control) he can take as person as strong as himself and fly away with him with no ease. SUpes just fly away to a desert what in the world makes you think Zod is gonna follow him. He just said he is going to destroy the people he cares about. When he gets Zod in the neck hold, that is the only time that Zod is potentially trying to kill an innocent in the fight and especially kids that we and Supes can see and Supes have time to see what Zod is doing.

Its not a big contradiction if he saved alot of people before that fight and saved military people that were trying to kill before hand while trying to fight 2 other military Kryptonians. Its people like you who just look at the last fight and make blind-sided opinions on it without taking into the account of the other things Supes. They portrayed him as he should do good and save as many people as he can with all the power he has and not rule with a iron fist and that what Supes did.

I find all these other writers lazy for their belief that Supes should never ever be put into a position like that. It puts them in a stagnant situation for Supes in fights. Goyer is taking a challenge of doing that and building off that to progress the character instead of it being stagnant and never progressing from movie to movie.
jaycr
jaycr - 8/4/2013, 10:53 AM
Man of Steel was great, shaky cameras took some of enjoyment but the screenplay, the acting and the action were awesome. People forget how huge and demanding these movies are...it's not something you do in between comic book readings and cosplay role-playing.
aresww3
aresww3 - 8/4/2013, 12:10 PM
I have to say as much as Superman was cavalier about the human lives:
@gmoney is right when he says this "Let's just watch the last battle and say Supes was in control the entire battle (even though he was getting punched and thrown 95% of the battle, yes he was in control) he can take as person as strong as himself and fly away with him with no ease. SUpes just fly away to a desert what in the world makes you think Zod is gonna follow him. He just said he is going to destroy the people he cares about. When he gets Zod in the neck hold, that is the only time that Zod is potentially trying to kill an innocent in the fight and especially kids that we and Supes can see and Supes have time to see what Zod is doing."

Plus I´m pretty sure the city would have been near evacuated by then and any idiot who stayed behind deserves to die. Lets face it everyone Mama told them when they were little "If two superpowered gods come round fightin´ in the streets, honey you need to get out a´ the sticks." However, if supes had have tried to save one or two people from Zod, it just would have been nice. It just shows Snyders youthful enthusiasm for action, like a child in a toy box, and Goyers plane lack of humanity or understanding of Supes as a character.

For me though the real unforgivable scene is where superman just straight up flies Zod into an IHOP, gas station and energy plant, with no concern what so ever for the lives of the people inside. That shit was crazy. I don´t care if he hit his mum, that just isn´t superman. He does not do that. I haven´t even seen versions of superman where he goes rogue, doing shit like that. But good point gmoney.
kenjim152
kenjim152 - 8/4/2013, 6:41 PM
@omegadagod, that is exactly the point, people were expecting to see something like the avengers and they got a lethal weapon sequel with Robert Downey Jr., numbers do not lie, as I have said it before, IM3 sold well because if the Chinese market, every where else it was an average blockbuster, just if you noticed IM3 is not the Dark Knight or the avengers so stop talking of it as if it were Avatar because of its numbers.
SnapperCarr
SnapperCarr - 8/4/2013, 7:39 PM
Goyer needs to go.
TrackBeast
TrackBeast - 8/4/2013, 8:31 PM
If they were to do an almost exact retelling of the Dark Knight Returns, which I don't really want cause i like Superman more, but if they did don't you think that Liam Neeson would be totally badass!! I know he played Ra's Al Ghul but imagine him delivering that line that Harry Lennix read in the same kind of voice he used in Taken! just thinking about it gives me goosebumps!
aresww3
aresww3 - 8/4/2013, 10:52 PM
I don´t even like Iron Man and I have to say Iron Man 3 was a better movie than MOS. Sorry guys. I love supes 50 million time more, but Iron Man 3 was better. Character wise, his humanity, the humor, plot development. Everything.
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