MAN OF STEEL Review: Superman Returns In This Emotionally Rewarding Action-Packed Spectacle

MAN OF STEEL Review: Superman Returns In This Emotionally Rewarding Action-Packed Spectacle

The reviews have been pretty mixed for the Zack Snyder-directed reboot, with some saying it's just an okay return of one of the most popular comic book characters to the big screen, whie others are praising the new take. Check out my review of Man of Steel after the jump. SPOILERS AHEAD.

Review Opinion
By WolvieCBM - Jun 16, 2013 12:06 PM EST
Filed Under: Superman


Last summer, Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures started promoting Man of Steel, the Zack Snyder-directed and Chris Nolan-produced Superman film, written by David Goyer. The first teaser and second full trailer for the film were quite atmospheric (especially the first one) and it quickly gained a huge buzz among the fans and online community, not just because it's a new Superman movie, but because it looked different and exciting. The film has finally arrived, and while the reviews are pretty much mixed, I rather enjoyed this new take on the character.

With a 143 minutes running time, the film is quite fast-paced. Right at the start, Snyder decided to explore more of Krypton, a dying planet, where we see Russel Crowe as Jor-El trying to save Kryptonian race and his newborn son, Kal-El. The world of Krypton is vast and visually unique and it was definitely one of the best parts of the film for me. Snyder and the whole team embrace the science fiction angle in full, and it works wondefully. Once we get to Earth, the story starts in present day, and via flashbacks, we get to see who Clark Kent really is and how he struggled growing up in a world where he is the only one of his kind. The trailers suggested a rather emotional character story, and that's what I got from this film. Character moments are written in a great way, and the film features one of the best scenes in a comic book movie ever, but more on that later on. That's not to say that this is a two and half hour drama. It's not. When there is action, it's big, it's intense and just a joy to watch. The third act of the film is truly something mind-blowing and while some will have problems with it, especially when Superman kills Zod, it's a powerful and dramatic scene that really works.

Henry Cavill embodied the character of Clark Kent/Kal-El in a perfect way. He delivers a fantastic and really emotional performance, which makes the film even better. And while Cavill does look the part, especially in costume, once you see him delivering his lines, you can just see that he made this character his own, and at the same time he stayed true to the character from the comics we all know and love. There are some scenes where Clark experiences anger, sadness, sympathy, and Cavill simply astonishes with his performance. General Zod, played by Michael Shannon, was a worthy villain. Shannon made Zod a powerful enemy to Cavill's Superman, and whenever those two share a scene together, it's epic. Zod is not a one dimensional character, so that's a plus, as he belives he can save his people and by doing that, sacrifices have to be made. It's an interesting performance for sure. Russel Crowe was good as usual, and a great fit for Jor-El. He has some great scenes at the beginning of the film. Now, let's talk about what was another big highlight for me, and that's Kevin Costner as Pa Kent. I honestly can't believe the impact those
scenes between Clark and Jonathan had on me. Costner delivers a truly incredible performance, as he guides young Clark through life and helping him deal with his powers. Every single flashback scene with Costner was amazing. One in particular... and that's the tornado scene, which is the scene I was talking about above being one of the best in a comic book movie. It's really emotional and the way that scene is written is pure brilliance. Amy Adams as Lois Lane was great as well, and she wasn't there just as a love interest, but more of a sidekick to Superman, which was pretty cool. The rest of the cast did a good job, including Diane Lane, Laurence Fishburne, Antje Traue and Christopher Meloni.

Visually, Man of Steel is a stunning film. Cinematography by Amir Mokri is impressive, though maybe they shouldn't have used so much hand held camera, as it makes the action scenes look blurry. A lot of shots look like they came straight from the comic books, and it really is something special. Snyder and Mokri use that "gritter" look to accomplish the realistic element of the story, and it fits. Hans Zimmer's score delivers on every level, featuring some fantastic tracks and there was this theme throughout the movie that was just amazing. Visual effects were top notch, from the design of the Krypton, flying sequences and full-on Metropolis destruction, it's hard to find any faults in this department. The editing was a bit messy at times and there were some parts that were there just for the sake of it (like that world engine in the Indian Ocean). At times, they kept topping one big action sequence with another big action sequence and it does get a bit tiresome, but overall, it was nothing major that took me out of the film.

Man of Steel is a good first step in the right direction for Warner Brothers and their DC movie universe, so hopefully everything comes together and they will finally move forward with other properties. With a great direction from Zack Synder, a powerful script, and fantastic performances, this is a Superman film everyone should see on the big screen.


RATING: 9/10

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LEVITIKUZ
LEVITIKUZ - 6/16/2013, 12:16 PM
This movie was [frick]ing epic.

The fight scenes reminded me of the fight scenes from Bruce Timm.
rebellion
rebellion - 6/16/2013, 12:20 PM
amazing movie, in my top 5 cbms.
thorhulk77
thorhulk77 - 6/16/2013, 12:20 PM
Gotta agree with Levi. Movie was definitely up there.
MisterBabadook
MisterBabadook - 6/16/2013, 12:23 PM
I liked it, however the pacing was off and Krypton should've been split into two parts, the second part being told when Kal-El met the Jor-El hologram in the Skull Ship (which by the way leads me to believe there will be NO brainiac in this series).
komikboy
komikboy - 6/16/2013, 12:26 PM
agreed.
i like it. i enjoy it. and i will see it again.
the movie is good. it can be better. but its good.
the action... great!!!
the drama and story is also good.
but yes... this is a different superman then previous incarnation.
DiamondQuinn
DiamondQuinn - 6/16/2013, 12:26 PM
Not quite sure where all the hate is coming from. I'm glad they didn't dwell too much on backstory. We've seen it, we know it. Great movie!
ManofSteel23
ManofSteel23 - 6/16/2013, 12:28 PM
I got goosebumps throughout the film,especially when he was pushed down by that machine and he uses all of his power to fly up and destroy it with the [frick]ing epic music in the background,and I always love the scene when he flies into zod when he is threatening ma kent...god I cant stop wanting to watch it over and over!
Minato
Minato - 6/16/2013, 12:28 PM
One thing is for sure Superman is Back. Now we need Flash, Wonder Woman, a new Batman and a good Green Lantern. Lets Bring in Jonnz in the JLA movie and DC would be in business.
ManofSteel23
ManofSteel23 - 6/16/2013, 12:29 PM
only thing is now though..he has no fortress of solitude..in fact he didnt really have one in this film lol
AstonishingSpiderMan
AstonishingSpiderMan - 6/16/2013, 12:31 PM
movie was good but had too many cheesy lines, not enough character development, and most of the fight scenes while awesome felt so repetitive. I'd say at best a 7 or an 8 out of 10 certainly not a 9.
iZinDiaN
iZinDiaN - 6/16/2013, 12:31 PM
This movie honestly doesn't deserve a damn 56% by critics on Rotten Tomatoes. Yeah, it had some downs, but seriously, what the [frick] were you critics expecting? A comedy movie with a couple of punching scenes? This is a [frick]ing Superman movie, not an Eddy Curry movie. The action in the movie was just pure awesomeness, and although the character development was lower than expected, there's absolutely no [frick]ing reason for all these critics to be giving Man of Steel such a low score.
jessepostal
jessepostal - 6/16/2013, 12:34 PM
The movie wasn't very good at all, it felt like a two and a half hour trailer. Dialogue was bad, a lot of over acting especially Micheal Shannon. The action shots were closer than a Transformers movie which made it hard to follow.

How did Lois not get sucked in to the black hole??
ManofSteel23
ManofSteel23 - 6/16/2013, 12:34 PM
@thorhulk

The scout ship is the thing zod crashed into metropolis right? wouldn't it be in pieces? lol and he already cut down the control seat with his heat vision,if that aint it I am sure they find some way to give him a fortress
thorhulk77
thorhulk77 - 6/16/2013, 12:35 PM
superman2013

Lol yeah I forgot about Zod crashing it.
kalelhawj
kalelhawj - 6/16/2013, 12:35 PM
A great movie to watch on this Father's day... Best way to show two amazing father in the movie... Best Origin movie ever... If you have not taken your dad to see this movie it's still not too late... My father loved it and as a father myself I really enjoy this movie... Never have i imagine a Superman movie that will be emotional and breath taking visual action... Thank you Zack... Bring on MOS 2 and Word Finest...
jessepostal
jessepostal - 6/16/2013, 12:36 PM
If Krypton was blowing up in a few minutes why did the spend time sending Zod and his minions into there punishment?
heisei24
heisei24 - 6/16/2013, 12:38 PM
-Critics slams your favourite movie
"[frick] critics"
-Critics slams a movie that you despise
"Even critics agree, this movie is shit"
Grady
Grady - 6/16/2013, 12:38 PM
I thought the film was epic, I liked the twist on the Lois/Superman/Clark dynamic having her on the inside track from the beginning, yes the romance felt a bit forced but as implied by the last scene there is plenty of time to do this in sequels. Cavill was perfect, absolutely nailed the voice and presence without coming across as a charicature. Cant understand these 'no humour' complaints, everyone lol'd at him destroying the loggers truck, his interview room scenes and his last scene with the drone.
kalelhawj
kalelhawj - 6/16/2013, 12:38 PM
Jessepostal, it's the Console's choice... They didn't believe the planet was going to explode... This is why they sent them to the phantom zone.
gaikinger
gaikinger - 6/16/2013, 12:41 PM
This movie was spectacular....nuff said.
groundrunner15
groundrunner15 - 6/16/2013, 12:42 PM
@LEVITIKUZ I saw, in another article, that you had read Goyer's Flash script. Where did you find that?
Grady
Grady - 6/16/2013, 12:42 PM
And Lex is set up perfectly for the sequel, did anyone else notice that Zod removed his armour on a building site? This could be Lexcorps property and therefore Luthor gains access to Kryptonian tech. He can rebuild Metropolis salvaging all the debris from the crashed ship and use that to create Metallo/Bizarro/contact Brainiac, have him turning the public against Superman while Lois and Clark investigate all this.
LFANCH
LFANCH - 6/16/2013, 12:43 PM
@superman2013 I think that ship is supposed to be the fortress.

I really enjoyed the movie though, action was nuts. The scene with supes and that world engine drug on a little bit IMO. I was just waiting for him to destroy it already so he could go fight zod. His fight against zod was sweet though. The only flashback scene I didn't care for was the one with clark hiding in the closet, the dialog just seemed cheesy to me. That tornado scene was fantastic though.

Oddly enough my father didn't care for the movie, and this is man who likes some pretty crappy movies. I think a lot of people have trouble seeing a superman that isn't Christopher Reeve.

Tevii
Tevii - 6/16/2013, 12:46 PM
What's sad is that the crappy rating on RT will actually convince some people not to check this movie out.

It was a great movie that finally puts DC on the same playing field as Marvel. The first great DC movie EVER.
LFANCH
LFANCH - 6/16/2013, 12:46 PM
I'm a marvel guy, but I enjoyed MOS more than IM3. Superman resonates with me more that Stark.
Tony93
Tony93 - 6/16/2013, 12:47 PM
my favorite CBM so far, my last one was Batman Begins
iZinDiaN
iZinDiaN - 6/16/2013, 12:47 PM
Ok, @Tevii, that last line. Did you completely forget the Dark Knight trilogy?
Tony93
Tony93 - 6/16/2013, 12:48 PM
I wonder what he'll have instead of a fortress?
crazymaverick
crazymaverick - 6/16/2013, 12:49 PM
I've watched it twice, the first time in IMAX 3D and just now in regular 2D.

I really liked it the first time, and I flat out love it after the second viewing.

I'd go so far as to give it 10/10!!!
Tony93
Tony93 - 6/16/2013, 12:50 PM
the last few minutes are amazing.. once he had glasses on and smiled everyone cheered and clapped
Tony93
Tony93 - 6/16/2013, 12:52 PM
"Glad to be a part of the Planet Lois"

get it.. planet..
Tony93
Tony93 - 6/16/2013, 12:54 PM
Can you imagine how the new Metropolis will look after they rebuild with the help of Lex?
cant wait!!

thewonderer
thewonderer - 6/16/2013, 12:54 PM
It seems to me that the critics AND the people commenting here are wrong. The true quality of the film lies between the critics consensus and the strange overwhelming praise here.

I think a lot of people here loved Man of Steel because their expectation wouldn't allow for anything less. They had to love it. After all the build up, if the final product even resembled what they wanted, that would be enough. When I got out of the film, I wanted to absolutely adore it, I really did, but I just couldn't. I was disappointed and upset. I still am upset. After my exams, I do plan to give it a rewatch though.

The film is packed with so many things none of which get even near adequate time to seep in and develop. Everything feels soulless. No one talks normally. I didn't feel for anyone really. Especially when Superman is making out with Lois Lane atop millions of dead Metropolis citizens buried underneath his feet.

I mean come on guys, really?
Robe
Robe - 6/16/2013, 12:58 PM
I wonder if Supergirl is frozen in a block of ice somewhere?
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