The Man Of Steel rises again after its flop in 2006 with Superman Returns. This new edition featuring everyone's favorite All-American Boy Clark Kent with a different look and feel than of its previous editions.
It's a lot more violent and filled with 9/11 imagery of collapsing buildings, mass carnage, and survivors. I like the fact that Superman feels alienated, frustrated, and confused because defending a planet from a threatening force of evil it takes as much Steel as well as Heart to overcome your obstacles. It's more of a Sci-Fi adventure and not re-introduced as another tired old re-boot of previous films.
Man of Steel breaks away from the original Superman Storylines of the 80s and this credit goes to writer David S. Goyer writer of the popular Blade and Matrix films. This Superman has a more darker look resembling the cinematography in the Matrix.
In this film Superman's real parents Jor-El and Lara are fighting two battles one to save their planet from the
recklessness of its people and thwart a rebellion led by General Zod who is after them for violating their planets biological breeding law. They therefore conceive a son and General Zod and his Super-Soldiers are encased in crypton and exiled into space for all eternity.
Before Planet Krypton explodes like the Death Star his biological parents blast Kal-El later to be named Clark Kent by the Kents into a escape pod where he lands on earth.
After crashing into the Kents Smallville farm the Kents raise him as their son until Clark reaches the age of 33 where he finally unlocks the destiny set before him by his real parents to dawn the tights, and the armor of its people to protect Earth from the forces of darkness.
The choice of casting Henry Cavil as Superman was a great choice. He not only looks the part but is totally inspired by the role and uses this movie to help lay the foundations of many more memorable Superman Sequels to come.
He combines the acting stylings of Christopher Reeves and Brandon Routh with much stronger screen performances.
Some may say that the Man of Steel creators ripping off the flashback scenes from Batman Begins does not serve any justice for a character who stands for truth, justice, and the American way. I feel this approach is quite appropriate showing the development of his character because much of the story revolves around how one deals with your past . Remember with great power comes great responsibility in coming to terms with who you are.
A great scene that demonstrates how young Clark comes to make sense of these newfound powers of his when he zones out in class only to wake up and sees into the skeleton, veins, and organs of classmates and teachers. Since he hasn't quite adapted to the Earth's atmosphere and learning to filter sounds he hears that sounds like a wild crowd at a ballgame.
After several rescue attempts on a Oil Rig and various attempts at being a Good Samaritan breaking up barroom brawls he is still not accepted as one of them.
He then therefore flees from society and establishes his own pad called the Fortress of Solitude and acquires
his biological father who acts as his spiritual guide resembling that of Obi-Wan Kenobi who advises and counsels Clark. It's a nice setup to show Clark's transformation to Superman to thwart Zod's planet to destroy Earth and rebuild it as the New Planet Krytpon. It's a wonderful passing of the torch from Father to Son for his next of kind to don the suit, and armor of its people to become Earth's new protector in the spirit of Kal-El's people who perished on Krytpon.
Michael Shannon who plays General Zod is treated not much of a villain but more of a anti-hero. Although you have no pity whatsoever for his devilish misdeeds you do understand his motivations. He is only trying to preserve the planet of his people and even though Superman understand this he knows deep down in his heart he is still someone not to be trusted and someone to be vanquished. It is here in this Final Fatal battle between the two that Superman learns to use his powers not to kill, intimidate, or bully but to heal, defend, and sacrifice his neck on the line for the honor of all mankind.
Even though Lois Lane encounters Clark after saving her from utter doom by the clutches of General Zod she is quite distant in this film.
They hardly have any chemistry in here and while Clark is out saving the world she is trying to uncover a huge Government conspiracy involving the governments whereabouts of hiding a huge Kryptonian spacecraft . They have a few moments of closeness after Superman saves her tail but that's about it. Yes, she plays an important central figure in the Superman series but here her purpose only seems to understand the man behind the cape and nothing more. Amy Adams is the right choice for Lois Lane she's smart and tough and
walks away from the kooky over the top performances played by Margot Kidder in the 80s Superman films.
Man of Steel is certainly one of the best modern day re-boots to come around for awhile. Its a nice re-touch in terms of story, tone, and action. In a way Man of Steel is a nice reminder during these times of darkness and uncertainty in a rebuilding American economy that heroes can exist but cannot be born without a destiny to fulfill.
FINAL RATING: 4/5
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