FILM REVIEW
MAN OF STEEL, 2013, directed by Zack Snyder.
★★ out of ★★★★
In a plot reminiscent of the first two original Superman movies (SUPERMAN, 1978, directed by Richard Donner and SUPERMAN II, 1980, directed by Richard Lester), Superman aka Kal-El aka Clark Kent’s origin story is re-told with some twists and before long the once-banished General Zod (Michael Shannon) and his Hench Kryptonians attempt to invade Earth and battle the famed hero. It is unfortunate that the titular superhero’s latest reboot attempt is a dud. As fans left cinema screens a wave of disappointment escaped from them like Kryptonite leaving Krypton.
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SPOILER ALERT: SIGNIFICANT PLOT POINTS
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Despite the best of intentions, MAN OF STEEL does not live up to either Snyder or Nolan standards, bombarding audiences with headache levels of CGI which include poor AVATAR-like flying creatures in the opening scenes, unnecessary action sequences from Russel Crowe’s supposedly soft role as Jor-El (Superman’s father), and fight sequences that will make you so stiff you will feel like a plank of wood. Cavill’s acting brings a nomadic quality to the hero that works to an advantage alongside the mortal heroine and love interest Louis Lane (Amy Adams), but the supporting cast do not perform their best efforts in their respective roles.
Whilst the marketing campaign leading up to the film’s release was well planned, the overall product of this collaboration between director Zack Snyder and producer Christopher Nolan (aka the ‘co-director’) was not up to standards for many fans for several reasons. One such complaint was the ending where Superman – under desperation apparently – kills General Zod which as true fans know Superman would never perform as his 75 year history has proven, the Kryptonian has always found a way to disable even the most dreaded villains when backed into a corner.* It also comes as surprising when considering that throughout the three ‘Dark Knight’ films directed by Nolan (2005-2012) Batman (Christian Bale) faced incredible odds and temptations to break a similar code yet never took such action against either thugs or super-villains. It is a sad case where the movie trailer was better than the film itself, promising audiences and fans a chance to explore the mythology of the man behind the ‘S’ shield, which it only half delivers. MAN OF STEEL even manages to demonstrate how much creative control producer Nolan had in an interrogation scene that mirrors one in THE DARK KNIGHT, 2008, and the use of a non-linear story which comes across as lazy, clear that Snyder does not know how to direct a film with such a substantial budget. This is certainly not another BATMAN BEGINS Nolan-esque reboot up to standard.
The film’s direction and writing suggest a comparison between Superman and Jesus Christ as saviours sent to Earth to redeem and protect humanity under the care of adoptive parents, which though a clever interpretation is flawed by relentless reminders that we are watching a superhero/drama/action/science fiction where CGI and special effects outweigh heart and soul. Even the use of regular Nolan composer Hans Zimmer presents a dull score that bores you incomprehensibly and that cannot match John Williams’ fantastic theme from SUPERMAN, 1978*. The movie’s soft moments though awe-inspiring are quickly pushed aside by blundering visual effects, and post-911 exploitation as air-crafts prepare to crash into New York City stand-in Metropolis followed by more explosions than any previous acts of terror in history.
Overall, this critic is not hoping for a sequel whilst SUPERMAN RETURNS from 2006 directed by Bryan Singer is already starting to appear the better Superman reboot.
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Among it’s inconsistencies, MAN OF STEEL leaves this critic asking one question: If the Kryptonian scouting ship landed on Earth approximately 20,000 years ago how is it possible that the ship contains the 33 year-old’s trademarked Superman costume? Were the Kryptonians a race of oracles or just the best tailors in the universe that they could predict when someone would need a superhero suit in the future?
*’Man of Steel Controversy: Does Superman Go Too Far?’ by Leslie Gornstein http://tinyurl.com/m46ff5t
*’Man of Steel: 7 Reasons the “S” Stands for Sucks’ by Amarpal Biring http://tinyurl.com/m67o2q9
