S-P-O-I-L-E-R-S….yes if you don’t want to be spoiled stop reading……ok seriously….stop reading….I’m warning you there ARE spoilers in the next section. If you’re still reading the article will begin in 3…2…1..
I just got out of Man of Steel. WOW. It’s incredible. If you’re a comicbook fan regardless of which production house or who you prefer, Superman over Hulk, Thor over Flash, I don’t care, GO SEE THIS MOVIE.
I had the opportunity to see an advanced screening on 6/12 and I can tell you all day I was counting down the minutes. I grew up on Christopher Reeve. He’s my Superman. Although many will fight me on it, a close second is Brandon Routh, and tied for third Dean Cain and Tom Welling. I was excited to see what Henry could do, I daydreamed in the back of my head all day as I sat through meeting after meeting trying to pay attention and trying not look as if I had been off on Krypton myself. There was a wicked bad thunderstorm developing as the day crept on and I was worried that it would get worse. I left work a little later than I wanted to and headed to the theater, I was still in my work clothes so I need to change into my favorite Superman shirt. I happened to be the only one in line at that point wearing anything superman. It’s ok because I’m proud. Our host greeted us and told us about the history between our company and WB’s and the future of the Man of Steel (Our host also hinted that talks were already ongoing for MOS2). I was with bated breath as the WB, Syncopy, and Legendary logo’s all breached the screen in non-traditional` dirt looking font. I should mention that we saw this in 3D. The familiar DC logo matched its predecessors. There was no traditional “fast flip” through comic boxes like previous films. The film starts out on Krypton and quite a bit is happening. Before I go any further…I LOVED this movie. But there are some pretty opportunities and things that I just didn’t like that after having seen this movie now 7 times, I just can’t get over. I will try not to spoil too much but now that I think about it, it’s kinda making me nuts. I’ll do a list.
1. Supes/Kal/Clark somehow gets from the crab boat to the top of the oil rig in a matter of seconds. Now normally, I wouldn’t question Superman (that we know) doing this, but later on we establish that he has no idea how to fly…he swam to the oil rig, climbed up the oil rig, and then found the people and then had trouble holding up a support beam? THEN, it takes him a very long time to swim to the shore?
2. Pa Kent – I’m going on record here that Kevin Costner went UNDER utilized in this film; he had the potential to do so much more, because the scenes where he is in are powerful. Zack if you’re reading this, use more flashbacks of Pa Kent in MOS2. Glen Ford did more with LESS screen time in the original. (EASY KILLERS, it was just used as a point of comparison for time).
3. Pa Kent death – This is could have been a little more dramatic coming after a few more scenes to understand the connection between Clark and Jonathan. The hand motion was a little campy for me, but it did serve its purpose. Although if I were Clark and I just told my dad that he wasn’t my dad, and then he died, I’d be a bit more upset.
4. Lois Lane – “I guess I get writers block when I’m not wearing a flak jacket” Really? That’s the line you wanna use? OK. Her character especially the way Amy Adams portrayed her, has so much potential. She too was underutilized and the fact she found out what Superman’s secret was; is more than annoying.
5. Clark/Superman/Kal – Spends more time getting up off the floor than any other superhero I’ve seen. Superman is supposed to be one bad Mother, and throughout the movie he’s picking his ass up from the ground. Even when he flew threw a nuclear reactor, but the 7-11 was too much for him. He just keeps getting his a$$ knocked to the ground. That’s what really annoyed me, he’s been on earth for years “drunk” with the yellow sun’s radiation and he’s stronger than all the other kryptonians but his ass keeps getting knocked down.
6. Codex –
7. Zod’s Ship – Can manipulate the atmospheric conditions so Superman doesn’t have powers and then Jor-EL AI can change them back and somewhere in that process the changes make you have hallucinations. Got it. ????? What???? Am I the only one that thought that was effin stupid?
8. Dr. Hamilton and Col Hardy Dying – Yep two more characters the latter (Doc) who could have been used plenty in the future. Not to mention the barely used him put for two things, a few lines of dialogue and to turn the thingy to make it work so we could create a blackhole in the middle of the sky in Metropolis? Any physicists around want to comment on that? I mean we’re being so “scientifically” correct and everything.
9. Being Named Superman: “Superman….that’s what they’re calling him” who’s calling him that? Where? When? No one but you Mr. Radio operator Airmen. SO ANTI CLIMATIC
10. Superman Kills Zod – No sir, do not pass go, do not collect 200$, good ole Batman didn’t even kill (and yes I know he’s from a different universe). Let’s ask this, would Pa Kent have approved of Supes killing Zod.
11. Henry Cavil – He was great and there were times where I was watching him and was like “that’s the Man of Steel.” In the interview room, where we smirks at Lois, when he stands up for the waitress, walking out of the fortress with his new threads and that smile at the very end. Other times I felt he lacked the gravitas, charisma and was forced. Especially, like the kiss, the line “might want to stand back….maybe a little more”
These are just my feelings guys, don’t get crazy. I’ve seen the movie 7 times and will probably see it a dozen more before I buy it. I loved it and I’m glad Superman is back on the big screen. I love it!