I've seen Man of Steel twice now: at the midnight show and again last night. Each time I came out with the same reaction.....It was just ALMOST THERE! Don't get me wrong here, I thoroughly enjoyed the film, it's just it really didn't live up to the hype that had me believing it would be the greatest CBM of all-time.
I'd say if I had to, it's probably an 8.4 out of 10 to me. But rating it on a scale isn't what I'm interested in here....The reason honestly for the miscues in Man of Steel is in my opinion: David Goyer's Screenplay. His dialog leaves a bit to be desired: it's not as cringe worthy as some pessimistic users here would have you believe, this is more about that there's a few stretches in the movie where the dialog's only reason is to advance and explain the plot. A lot of people had a problem with the lack of humor but I thought it had enough for what it was; this IS NOT A MARVEL MOVIE--they've pegged down a pitch-perfect formula for plugging their great characters into action comedies with just enough character beats to be solid every time even wit their worst films. Now Man of Steel hits it's character beats though. The character development isn't strong but to me that's way overrated anyways, especially for a first contact science-fiction movie. This movie was about Clark and him having to make choices. The whole Clark Kent identity isn't formed yet but sometimes Goyer lets us believe his character is fully realized because he doesn't get too much development. This draws into a couple different discussions: WHO IS THIS GUY REALLY? Is he Clark Kent from Smallville or bumbling Clark in Metropolis or is he really Superman, or is Superman a bit of a mask too? It's really interesting stuff but we CAN'T get into it here because it's an origin movie.
What we can get into though is what Goyer signed up to stare right in the face...
EVERYONE HAS THEIR OWN INTERPRETATION OF SUPERMAN
and with that, I think a lot of people took issue with Superman killing Zod. In my opinion, of we look at Goyer's Superman, this is completely in bounds. We look to something like Superman because he makes the choices we can't, he inspires us to make the impossible choice that when everything is looked at...is revealed to be the right choice. And that's what Goyer's Superman really is about, that struggle: Protect the adopted home world after you barely found what you've been searching for in the answers about Krypton and where he came from. "Krypton had it's chance," Superman tells Zod before torching the scoutship with the genesis chambers in it. Ultimately he decides on Earth, as Zod puts it, 'he chose the humans over his own people.' And so when he has to decide on killing Zod or letting him murder that family, it's more that. He could risk a lot more than just that family of 4(American nuclear family...he won't turn on America's interest's right) but billions of people are at risk...so he does it. The choice was well done, and well executed, he has to let out a massive regret filled growl and Cavill plays it perfectly. However, I think that Goyer could have built this moment up more with less subtlety. I like that he's finally facing a bully he can fight back against, and that he's finally saving people not as a ghost or an unknown guy, but publicly as Superman. This is a different Superman than the 78 film. Movies reflect the times they were made in, and this is where we're at. Good or bad.
But it's not there with full authority and weight behind it, because there was too much action. Snyder and Goyer are trying to show us how powerful Superman is in this universe but they get too action heavy that the awe inspiring action that's there and the spectacular visual flair Snyder has get lost just a tad. But, of course Snyder's going to favor that instead of developing character after Superman Returns where aside from the plane rescue the action left a lot to be desired.
"This Superman is too serious," is something I heard a bit of from one of my friends...and I see his point but I also see that he needed to be in this movie. Also he did have a couple of brighter moments like "It's not an S," and "I grew up in Kansas, General. I'm about as American as it gets."
I also loved Snyder's visuals here though, I found myself thinking "Wow, what a great shot," a lot during the film. I also really enjoyed the shaky-cam, and dark, high-contrast cinematography here. It adds to the feel of this happening in a realistic world, and gives you an intimate feeling with what's going on. The VFX were amazing, and you really have to make special mention of Hans Zimmer's gigantic, emotional score which was breathtaking at some points; even knowing when to hold back. On that, I'm actually very happy that they weren't scared out of allowing this huge loud CGI laden film to be extremely quiet, and emotional during the flashbacks. They had some fantastic moments where Clark talks to his dad and it's very very quiet except for a few piano chords.
It's also not the best CBM but it's one of the most thought provoking, and definitely one of the most interesting. They get into the troubles of Superman as a kid hearing, seeing everything, never being able to play with others, never being able to fight back. Kevin Costner is GREAT by the way. The acting is a real plus for this film in general actually. Crowe as Jor-El is SPOT ON. Adams as Lois is right on point. Henry really is CLARK/SUPERMAN. Faora steals the show a bit. Shannon is great as Zod but at some points I thought his lines could have been A LOT better; at least he didn't choke on his lines completely like Ryan Gosling in Gangster Squad...
Goyer, Nolan and Snyder had a really tough task and decided to take on Superman and if you've been reading DC comics in the last decade you know... he's the most difficult comic book character to write, because writers don't understand how to. It really isn't easy and that translates to film the same way. He's the most difficult superhero to make a film about. WITH THAT CONSIDERED, they did a pretty darn good job. They play up the Jesus (savior) angle and that's fine, it's just as much of a Moses figure or a mythological figure as well. I was also happily surprised that this was more of a Sci-Fi film than expected...those elements were some of the best in the film. Heavy-backstory is fine because everything on Krypton was strong. Flashbacks did not kill the momentum of the film, if it was in order it'd been talked of as a generic origin story. In all, this movie may not be a definitive Superman story, but it's a great start and world-builder for the sequel to be.