Man Of Steel or Superman?

Man Of Steel or Superman?

We had the Dark Knight, but not Batman. Are we getting Man of Steel, or Superman? Why Man of Steel is lacking the "magic" of Superman.

Editorial Opinion
By deanwilkins - Jun 07, 2013 07:06 AM EST
Filed Under: Superman

I'll begin by asking that NOBODY bring Marvel into the comments of this article. This is only about Superman, my favorite character.

The first two trailers did virtually nothing for me, other than make me feel uncomfortable. You don't tread lightly with Superman. Knowing that Nolan was involved had me downright scared. I dislike his approach to CBM's and I disliked the first and third of the "Dark Knight" trilogy.

I was among the group that wanted to just see Superman punch the hell out of someone. I wanted to see all his powers in full display. Then I saw the clip of Superman punching Zod. My opinion has changed.

In the Donner films, Superman used his powers reluctantly. He was a true hero and he WAS Superman. He just reeked of goodness and responsibility. He was someone I looked up to as a role model. He was a hero in every sense of the word. You didn't fear him. You couldn't help but like him.

MOS looks like it is bringing us something different. This is a hero who'll punch the hell out of his enemy. He doesn't seem to have the nobility or innocence that Reeve brought to the character. He seems tortured, sad and tragic. This is our modern take of "Superman" for the new generation.

I don't mean to compare. The Donner films are practically ancient now. Maybe Superman did need an update, but is he still Superman?

My guess is that the guy wearing the symbol in the new film is the Man of Steel. Just as "Batman" was really just the Dark Knight.

Y'know what... I think it's okay for Superman to be Superman. He is kind of geeky. Truth, Justice and the American Way. Why not? Do we need a "real" Superman? Is that so important? Personally, I just want the guy I grew up with who stood for what was right no matter what. The Donner films were far from perfect, but they gave me the Superman that had me jumping off my staircase with my bed sheet tucked into my shirt.

Don't get me wrong. I want to LOVE this film. I'm just really disliking what I've seen so far. It feels like they bastardized my favorite hero. My inner-child feels uncomfortable with that... stupid as that may sound. I don't want a tragic Superman. I don't want to feel sympathy for the guy. I want him to inspire us.

Just my opinion here guys. I just want to believe a man can fly.

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DeltaActual
DeltaActual - 6/7/2013, 7:31 AM
Nice viewpoint though I do disagree to what you see vs what I see. I believe we may be the same age because I grew up with the Reeve Superman. Yes he did show innocence and all that until they made him a drunk and obnoxious prick with his alter ego. I remember being so disappointed as a kid seeing that lol!

As for Cavill, I see a confused and lost boy who knows he is surrounded by love but make a journey in life to discover who he is. He has refrained from using his powers his whole life until Zod and his crew attack Earth and start to kill left and right. He is then forced to use his powers to protect the Earth. Imagine what he is feeling seeing people dying and knowing you are the only one who can do anything. He made a decision to protect everyone and expose himself to the world after he lead a life of seclusion. Adding to the fact that he surrenders himself to show he is an ally and not an enemy.

AS for his look, it was very much a needed change! The red underoos and spandex look will not sell movie audiences and come across "grounded" as Snyder and Goyer have expressed. In order to make a DC Cinematic Universe a reality then this new vision is mandatory. Many Marvel fans that are friends think Superman is corny. But now, they are giving him a new chance to impress.

Sorry, but I am passionate about this character as well! lol ;-)
DeltaActual
DeltaActual - 6/7/2013, 7:32 AM
@teabag - Okay Bro! That was about THE MOST EPIC GIF I have ever seen! LOL Kick ass!
deanwilkins
deanwilkins - 6/7/2013, 7:52 AM
@Tea - Of course you're right. (Love that video...) The question is, how brutal is Superman? How brutal should he be? I think it all depends on his demeanor.

@DCMultiverse - Great response. I was born in 77. You actually psyched me up more for this film. I hope I made my point though. I want Superman, not Man of Steel. I don't want a tragic Superman either.
Jaywing
Jaywing - 6/7/2013, 8:14 AM
Sounds like Superman Returns is the movie you're looking for.
MoonDoggyX
MoonDoggyX - 6/7/2013, 8:54 AM
What DCMultiverse said...
mithravishnu
mithravishnu - 6/7/2013, 8:57 AM
@ DCMultiverse

TRUE
teabag
teabag - 6/7/2013, 9:02 AM
dean@ Not long till we find out bud

photo h060E1510_zps1839bf1c.gif

:)
MoonDoggyX
MoonDoggyX - 6/7/2013, 9:40 AM
@teabag - can we get some super hot Faora pics? P-p-p-please???
Forthas
Forthas - 6/7/2013, 10:04 AM
I cannot understand the constant Nolan bashing. He made the greatest CBM trilogy in history. Audiences around the world responded to it in ticket sales (two billion dollar movies) critical acclaim, imitation and in the only DC attempts at CBM's that have garnered any traction in the last decade. He should be over the ENTIRE DC Universe. It is clear to me that his involvement in Man of Steel has only made it one of the most talked about and anticipated movies that I can remember. All these people wishing for a return to the "old" Superman had their chance and NOBODY liked it. If we go that route it will kill CBM's for another decade. Man of Steel and hopefully the Justice League needs MORE Nolan and should all be just as grounded, layered and balanced with action and drama that the Dark Knight masterpieces had which has reshaped CBM's hopefully forever.
DeltaActual
DeltaActual - 6/7/2013, 10:06 AM
Remember Deanwilkins, many that alreqdy have seen this movie, say they finally gave us a Superman we deserve and have always wanted. Even though many do not like Snyder's previous movies for whatever reason, the Super Hero genre will be his calling in life. You said "You want to believe a man can fly". That is exactly who Snyder is as a director. His vision and eye for special effects and storytelling is unmatched imo. He won't allow something to go onscreen for sake of having it there. People have even stated several times that what he has brought to MOS has never been seen before this with regards to CGI effects. Everything down to how the cape should look when he is flight. Meaning he looked at the aerodynamics of his material acts when he is flying, landing, hovering or what have you.

So many of us want cameos or mentioning of Wonder Woman, Batman or whoever. Yet what I most respect about Snyder and Goyer is that this a movie ABOUT Superman. I have a sneaky suspicion that the end credits is where we will go ballistic in where the DC Cinematic Universe will go next.

I believe you as a long time Superman fan, will love and appreciate this approach. Even though Superman is as powerful as he is, he still has the turmoil and everyday challenges we face everyday. But he will throw himself in harm's way to protect us all. I will end this by reminding you that h
DeltaActual
DeltaActual - 6/7/2013, 10:07 AM
His kryptonite is his inner turmoil.
DeltaActual
DeltaActual - 6/7/2013, 10:13 AM
@Forthas I believe the anti Nolan feelings come from a trilogy that could have already set up a DCU but Nolan brought his vision of a guy in world with no Super Heroes and it is in its own separate Universe. Plus, many people share my feeling that, even though the trilogy was very well done, many of us wanted a reference to a larger DCU that never came and wanted a Super Hero movie, but was given a Crime Drama. Just my view on that my friend :-)
DeltaActual
DeltaActual - 6/7/2013, 10:20 AM
I really do not like typing responses on a cell phone lol. Makes you look illiterate sometimes! ;-)
Forthas
Forthas - 6/7/2013, 10:29 AM
@DCMultiverse

See I don't believe that you could not incorporate a larger universe. I think there is a way just not the will ...at least not yet. You could argue that the world of Superman prior to the revelation of aliens was exactly the same kind of world as the Dark Knight. it is not Nolan's fault that the studios were not thinking about a shared universe. They had batman and superman movies ...and they did not do it back then. Even Green Lantern had NO reference to other heroes ... Amanda Waller explicitly states that Abin Sur is the first contact with a being from another planet. Later Hal Jordan states that he thought they were the "only ones in the universe" so it stands to reason the NO director under DC was thinking shared universe. if so the studio should have planned it and incorporated that in the stories. Obviously Nolan is not against the idea since the movie he is producing now includes those elements. It is misplaced anger!
HulkinOut
HulkinOut - 6/7/2013, 10:34 AM
I dont know about you but I always thought of superman as a sympathetic hero. He a guy whos shoes you dont want to be in even with all his awesome powers, he deals with to much resposinbility.

Being good for the sake of being good isnt appealing. But choosing to remain a good person after dealing with tragic drama and being alone makes one wonder how and why he does it.
deanwilkins
deanwilkins - 6/7/2013, 10:46 AM
@DCMultiverse

I have full faith in Snyder. I have no faith in Nolan. I love the Batman character. I have hundreds of his comics! I greatly disliked the trilogy as a whole, though I LOVED the second film. (I attribute the love to what Joker and Two-Face brought to the film.)

If this is a "Superman" film, I'm sure I'll love it.

BTW...

I despised Superman Returns. I liked Routh in the role, but he really needed a proper villain and some action. I thought he was a good Superman. It does look like Cavill is better.
r3negade
r3negade - 6/7/2013, 10:56 AM
@teabag I just saw that video today for the first time.
DruDox19
DruDox19 - 6/7/2013, 10:56 AM
I think this is Superman and in all honesty has much has love Donners films many of Supermans villains were missing in action. Anyways i think this is the Superman we kinda need and in all honesty i like this Superman this film feels like Superman Earth One and Secret Origins fused together.

People will have issues some fans might complain cause i sure DCMultiverse you know what im talking about people will have a issue and complain on what Superman did. Anyways Man of Steel Looks to be something very special and i cant wait to see the future of the DC Cinematic Universe.
naterator
naterator - 6/7/2013, 10:59 AM
We did get Batman.....BAtman Begins remember? then it went to The Dark Knight...but in the movie they still called him Batman.

Man of Steel is good for a first movie...I dont mind. The sequel could very well end up being Superman:... since he gets his iconic name in MOS. Patience is a virtue....one more week and we will see how badly we deserve to see SUPERMAN:... I have a feeling we will be pretty deserving.
UltimaRex
UltimaRex - 6/7/2013, 11:07 AM
Where were you when Smallvile bastardized Superman?

Actually, Smallvile didn't even bother with Superman...
DeltaActual
DeltaActual - 6/7/2013, 11:27 AM
Smallville, the craptastic show that it was, couldn't do squat because of legal Superman ownership rights. The Blur, lol I was like WTF!?

Also, Nolan really had nothing to do with this film and even stated he has other projects he will be working on. Snyder will have cinematic control since they have obviously approached him already with the Mother Of All Holy Grails, THE JUSTICE LEAGUE!

Plus who is directly referenced, who is abstractly referenced and who is symbolically referenced already shows that DC and WB have this DC Cinematic Universe already mapped out. The above, of course, being spoilers that I will not name.
DeltaActual
DeltaActual - 6/7/2013, 11:29 AM
Nolan absolutely proved that the DC World must be grounded more so thananything else. My only disappointment came from it being a stand alone. So apologies if my statements above seemed like complaints. :-)
MoonDoggyX
MoonDoggyX - 6/7/2013, 12:15 PM
@DCMultiverse - you've seen Man of Steel???
thenerdicon4
thenerdicon4 - 6/7/2013, 12:24 PM
I'm looking forward to this movie and the DCCU so much that now I WANT a Justice League movie right after this. Hell, it would be better than waiting 5 years.
DeltaActual
DeltaActual - 6/7/2013, 12:29 PM
No Comment!
MoonDoggyX
MoonDoggyX - 6/7/2013, 12:32 PM
Just jive us a 1 - 10 rating of the overall movie...
ArtisticErotic
ArtisticErotic - 6/7/2013, 12:47 PM
So basically this comes down to wanting a Chris Reeves all over again? Well they tried that with Superman returns and it didn't bold so well.


I see no problem with a different take on these characters, one of the reasons I found Superman returns to be lacking is because they tried too hard imitate these older movies. Honestly who wants to watch someone try and recapture another persons performance? I know I don't.
TheSuperguy
TheSuperguy - 6/7/2013, 12:48 PM
Really great article! Superman is my favorite character of all time, and I was wondering that as well. I think the reason he is more violent in this one is because Earth is the only home he has ever known, and Zod comes from nowhere to destroy his home, friends, and family, and he will not let that happen.
DeltaActual
DeltaActual - 6/7/2013, 12:51 PM
If I was to give you a rating, not saying I am actually giving a rating, but if I was, then I would pretty much sum it by saying (not that I am confirming anything), personally ........... 10 if not more. Ever see something so crazy your eyes water, not from crying, but from witnessing something so amazing your body just shuts down and starts leaking from all orifices? Added on top of your heart is racing so fast that you feel it in your arms and legs? OR you are visually taken back in time when you are a child with that pure raw innocent emotion that your wife, who is trying to watch the movie, but cannot stop staring at you while she is thinking "I cannot believe I married this idiot?"

Well if I was to admit anything, then I would state it like the above. Yes sir! If I was to offer confirmation, then I would tell all our Marvel Only friends that they should see this movie, because what was done will only benefit their movie experiences from the studios moving forward. Some even say that the CGI graphics are so damn good that you sometimes cannot tell what is real and what is special effects. Like Zod and his crew's armor. All CGI! If they use this technology in The Avengers 2, OMFG!

I'm just saying ............................... ;-)
THIS
THIS - 6/7/2013, 12:53 PM
I'm pretty sure they called him Batman at some point in TDK trilogy. I know they did in The Dark Knight
MoonDoggyX
MoonDoggyX - 6/7/2013, 1:40 PM
@DCMultiverse - i swear to you, that is how i felt watching the first Transformers. I definitely rolled my eyes during the stupid parts... Facepalmed during the REALLY dumb parts... Bt put when the robot action what on, it was the coolest, most beautiful thing i've ever seen on screen. Especially the last hour when the kicked it up to 11! To this day, its still my favorite movie ever... Though, i'm have the feeling that after june 14th, there will be a changing of the guard!
Forthas
Forthas - 6/7/2013, 2:03 PM
In three days the Superman Review embargo is lifted. There will be reactions and spoilers galore across the web. Will I be able to resist?????
MoonDoggyX
MoonDoggyX - 6/7/2013, 2:11 PM
Is that on Monday...?
Forthas
Forthas - 6/7/2013, 2:24 PM
Yes it is!
Forthas
Forthas - 6/7/2013, 2:43 PM
I also heard that advanced Man of Steel tickets is outselling movies that are coming out this week

So does that mean it will be the #1 movie this weekend?

Interesting...
MisterMagurlypse
MisterMagurlypse - 6/7/2013, 2:50 PM
I'm thinking "Man of Steel" is a play on words. Meaning he's so strong and tough it's like he's made of steel but, on the inside it's not the case. He's really a lost and lonely person and doesn't have a reason to be here. Most of us can relate to that at some point in our lives. That's the side that will resignate with most people. I know you said don't bring up Marvel but, the saying "With great power comes great responsibilty" will be a main feeling thruout this flim. Cause Clark must find a way to use these powers in the most responsible way. In a way that is true to his Kryptonian
heratige and in the human values he has been brought up with.

Remember, one can't inspire someone till they find there place in the world. Once he finds the proper way to carry himself it will all fall into place. I hope you find your Superman somewhere in this flim. I know I will and I hope when my kids watch it with me they'll get something good outta it as well.
inkslinger616
inkslinger616 - 6/7/2013, 3:22 PM
MARVEL-OUS!!!
DeltaActual
DeltaActual - 6/7/2013, 3:28 PM
@MisterMagurlypse - LOL you just described what Goyer and Snyder basically said :-) Nice!
Brainiac13
Brainiac13 - 6/7/2013, 3:30 PM
Firstly you need to let go of the Donner movies. I also grew up with them.

This world we live is very harsh....evil to some extent.

This is a post 9/11 and there is much fear in the world. In some countries people are dying while we are sit on our hands and don't do nothing.

Schools are not safe anymore.....even the movie theatre last year has shocked us.

This world looks for heroes in our everyday lives to save us and change our ideals.

The modern Superman is a story of us struggling to cope with the endeavour of this world.

I as a fan want a Superman story which relates to our inabilities as Human beings and show how much we can rise from the ashes and hold on to a belief that can change us for the better.

This modern Superman is about the 'Hope' that we seek and desperately need.

I can enjoy a 2hr popcorn movie but it won’t ask questions about the world we live in. I want to be moved and aspired when watching a film, reading a novel or a comic book.

I want to feel the same way about all heroes.

Next week we are going to get a complex character that can make us feel special if we choose to be.

We are hoping that this film will be what Superman is in our hearts.

Hoping for the a story of epic proportions.

Hoping Superman is Definitely MAN Of STEEL.

In the immortal words of Andy Dufresne from 'The Shawshank Redemption'

'Remember, Red, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies'
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