My Thoughts on the Man of Steel

Four years ago, I wrote a post on my old blog about 5 characters I wish were real and guess who part of that list is? Superman! Before Iron Man was made into a movie, Superman is the superhero movie I’m always excited to watch. At that time, Superman was played by the late Christopher Reeve, and he was the first Superman I know. After him, basically, all actors who played Superman became my infatuation. 🙂

Last week, cinemas began their screening of the movie Man of Steel. Fans and non-fans alike flocked to watch this exciting movie after a long wait from the previous Superman movie, Superman Returns, that was shown last 2006.

As an overview, MAN of STEEL is a reboot of the Superman franchise. It tells us how and why Superman, named as Kal-El, was sent by his parents here on earth before the destruction of his planet Krypton. It shows us his childhood and how he manages to cope growing up here on earth while trying his best to keep all his superhuman abilities in check but to no avail. Superman, as a young boy, is already a natural savior.

MY REVIEW (Spoilers):

I have so many thoughts about this movie it’s hard to think of a way to start. With the film being more sci-fi than adventure, there’s a lot of things to process especially in comparison with previous Superman movies. So I guess I’ll just give you a breakdown of what I think didn’t work so well to what I think was great about this film. 🙂

Things that didn’t bode well for me:

• My first thought about this movie was, “Why so Dark?” (LOL!). I miss the bright colors! The visual hues of this movie looked so morbid I might have been watching a thriller movie instead of the usual Superman=action/adventure/superhero/science fiction/family movie. Anyway, Christopher Nolan (Dark Knight) produced the film, so I guess that explained the dark feel of the movie, but still…
• Superman’s anonymity. I am not talking about his anonymity from the world, I am talking about his anonymity from Lois Lane. If there’s one thing I enjoy in watching Superman, it’s his love life. There’s something romantic about Lois Lane being in love with Superman yet not knowing he is “always around,” working close to her and not even noticing. However, that isn’t what it was in this movie. Didn’t expect Lois Lane to know so soon.
• Henry Cavill as Clark Kent. Almost at the end of the movie, Henry Cavill was shown in his Clark Kent outfit and introduced as a new staff in the Daily Planet. He wore the usual suit and the nerdy glasses, but somehow it didn’t work. Henry Cavill looked too striking to be inconspicuous, which is Superman’s alter ego is supposed to be like. I guess I was still expecting a bit of Christopher Reeve’s version of Clark Kent here.
• General Zod’s death. Didn’t expect him to die in that fashion. I was hoping something more dramatic than being in a headlock and having your neck snapped. It’s just too ordinary and definitely lame! Hahaha!
• No chemistry. Sadly, I felt no chemistry between Amy Adams (Lois Lane) and Henry Cavill (Superman). I think Amy Adams did okay as Lois Lane, but not as Superman’s love interest.

Nope! Not convinced of this pairing. 😦

Things I liked:

• Fight scenes. I love intense fight scenes in superhero movies, and it’s good to see one in a Superman movie. Mostly, his films show him fighting with evil (very human) masterminds, and that doesn’t really require Superman to literally beat the crap out of them. In this movie, he was fighting General Zod, who came from the same planet as Superman and possesses the same abilities as him. Thus, the awesome fight scenes.
• The casts. I love the casting of this movie especially the villains. Michael Shannon as General Zod is just fantastic and Antje Traue, an actress I’m not too familiar with, is now a favorite of mine. She was exceptional in her role as Faora and find myself drawn every time she speaks.
• Henry Cavill as Superman. Can’t help it but Henry Cavill is undoubtedly dreamy. ‘Nuff said! 🙂

Things I’m not sure of:

• Planet Krypton. It’s too… alien? Well, what I meant was… where are the crystals? With all the crystals involved in previous Superman movies, I’m assuming planet Krypton would be somehow similar, but more twentieth century.
• The Fortress of Solitude. I know this isn’t the 1980’s anymore, but seriously, I really do prefer the crystals!

The Fortress of Solitude

So that’s it I suppose. If you haven’t watch it, then I recommend you do. Afterall, it is still a good movie, with great actors and cool fight scenes. On a scale of 1 to 10, I’d give it a 7. 🙂