Man of Steel

Superman is the most revered and iconic of all superheroes. For over 75 years, he's been in the fabric of American society with his conflicted conscience trying to identify with his own people, while protecting the inferior human race. There have been numerous attempts to bring him to life in television and on the big screen, and although Christopher Reeve was the closest thing we have seen to a real superman, Henry Cavill is the perfect choice for the re-invigoration of the franchise. He embodies everything that we know and love about the man; physical strength, black hair with the little curl on the bangs, and steely eyes. Cavill is destined for greatness, much as Hugh Jackman was made by Wolverine. The only difference is that Cavill is bigger and more cut.

Everyone knew that Man of Steel would be the movie event of the summer. The superhero film to follow in The Avengers' footsteps from last year. The global movie-going audience can't get enough of the genre, and Superman is the biggest of them all. Zack Snyder, Christopher Nolan, and Warner Brothers are building the Justice League universe, and after the gargantuan success of the recent Batman trilogy, it looks like Man of Steel is likely here to stay, at least for the next decade until special effects are even better, and there's a newer, younger, bigger man to fill the red boots and tights.

Epic is the only way to describe Man of Steel. However, it's not epic in the way that Dark Knight was, but more in the way that Transformers was. Slight disappointment was inevitable, and I could criticize choices made by the writers and director all day, but the fact remains, this is a project that is impossible to do well enough to satisfy all of the demographics.

Our story begins as an origins story on the planet of Krypton. A perfectly cast Russell Crowe (Jor-El) brings his son into the world as the planet is crumbling around him. His wife and he decide to instill the cultural DNA of the entire planet into their son before sending him off to Earth as a last ditch effort to save their species' heritage and bloodline. Unfortunately, General Zod, played by Michael Shannon, shows up with other plans. In a coup d'etat, the military leader attempts to stop Jor-El, but his attempts are futile. The baby is safely sent to Earth, and Zod and his henchmen (and woman - one of the best characters in the film) are banished to a cryostasis prison in orbit of the planet.

We all know the story from there. Taking heavy plot lines in a much more modern and sexy fashion from 1980's Superman II, Superman grows up and begins to question his place in the world. He knows that he won't be accepted by the people, but there is an inherent goodness that is so overwhelming that he can't stop himself from saving humans left and right. That's probably the biggest draw of the character. We all admire heroes. The ones who sacrifice everything to help and save other people, selflessly putting themselves in harms way. Superman is the ultimate hero, altruistic and modest. The anti-Tony Stark in many ways.

Zod finds Superman on Earth, and attempts to rebuild Krypton in the middle of Metropolis. It is up to Superman to stop him, even as he is hunted and ostracized by the humans. It is out of fear and distrust that the humans are reluctant to accept Kal-El, two common themes throughout the film that prey on the most cowardly traits of human nature. Epic battles ensue, and destruction is rampant as the city of Metropolis becomes the battleground of these superhuman beings.

The film weighs in at an impressive 143 minutes, but it actually seems shorter. It doesn't let up very often, with destructive action sequences flying around the landscape reminiscent of 2003's Hulk (read into that what you will). Far be it for me to question the Goyer/Snyder/Nolan team's actions, but some of the action actually seemed a bit too quick and blurred in its execution. Obviously this is a film making technique to blend special effects with live action, but I felt a bit reticent to accept the super speed world that the characters fought in. It was too much on the screen to take in and enjoy, and although crashing through buildings and tearing up streets is fun, the characters who are brawling were very difficult to see most of the time.

Characters are the flip side of the eyegasmic action. Cavill is stellar, and Kevin Costner up until his parting scene is a good choice as Pa Kent, the Kansan who takes in little Kal-El and raises him in the most Americana setting imaginable. Diane Lane is his mother, and the rest of the support cast are comprised of Chris Meloni in a testosterone-fueled role as the Army Colonel who seems to do a bit of everything, Laurence Fishburne in a wasted role as Perry White, Richard Schiff as the only voice of reason in the room, and one of my current favorite supporting players, Michael Kelly as the equivalent of "Jimmy" from the old Superman comics. Side note, see Dawn of the Dead for his best role to date - and the recent Netflix series House of Cards for a taste of his chops. He's a pretty solid actor.

The best supporting character however, is unknown German actress Antje Traue, who plays Faora-Ul, a Subcommander of General Zod's army who is pretty much the most fun warrior princess of recent memory. It doesn't hurt that she is given ice cold lines, and has a simple purpose; protect Krypton and it's way of life. Nothing stands in her way, especially not weak traits like morality. The other side of the coin, the female protagonist Amy Adams is Lois Lane, and I have to say, I wasn't impressed. She didn't seem to fit, and the love story seemed a bit too rapid and forced. She didn't bring a spark to the character that I was hoping, and someone a bit less plain, and a bit more sexy would have been a better fit. Maybe Malin Akerman with dark hair pulled back and glasses. Too specific? I envision dark hair and glasses when I think of Lois Lane, and plain is nice, but there needs to be more of a reason that Superman chooses her beyond her journalistic curiosity.

Zack Snyder is an interesting choice to direct Warner Brothers' biggest project that might also shape the future of their film division. It's a heavy burden to lay on a man's shoulders, but he bravely and confidently brought his cutting edge style to the screen in a flashbang of visual effects. A great start to the Justice League journey. Visionary is truly the best adjective to describe his film making legacy that he is creating. He is likely going to continue with either a Man of Steel sequel, or as a major piece of Justice League. Personally, I think Chris Nolan should remain the frontrunner for the job, but it's a lot like Peter Jackson returning to the Hobbit after LOTR. It has to be a labor of love, and from what I've read, Nolan has hung up his superhero camera. Go after Ben Affleck. Rouse the cynics and see what he can do. Jon Favreau was a relatively fresh director with a recognizable acting resume, but he didn't direct an Oscar winning picture either. If Nolan or Affleck aren't doing Justice League, I'll be surprised. Snyder could get the gig, but dropping him from Superman II would be a mistake at this point. However it pans out, they have a great start. I would absolutely love to see Ryan Reynolds back as Green Lantern, and Christian Bale as Batman, but that's a stretch to get both of them onboard.

I see a distinct difference between the DC and Marvel landscapes, and it's difficult to put into words, but I would say that there is more humor and character sentimentality with the Marvel heroes, whereas the setting and deep themes of sacrifice, loyalty, and even darker human nature quandaries exist in the DC universe. Batman and Superman are the most iconic comic book heroes of all time. That is a fact, and they are a bit more divisive with their audience target. Darkness and death equals bigger risk, but with bigger risk, there is bigger payoff. Man of Steel will be the top grosser of the year despite early mixed reviews. It wasn't all that I had hoped for, but honestly, could it ever be? You're going to see it, and you won't be disappointed unless you want a believable love story.

By the way, I was disappointed not to see a Desolation of Smaug, or a 300: Rise of an Empire preview before the film as they both came online this week. Maybe it was just in Imax. 8/10.