Man of Steel

So I am going to do my best to explain as much of the merits and opportunities missed with this movie without spoiling anything, because I do encourage everyone to go out and see it, find your personal views and monologue about the movie, whether you agree with me or not.

I am first going to discuss my thoughts on the movie, some of the blow-back I have heard about the movie, then maybe talk a little on my outlook on what this movie may mean for the DC Cinematic Universe.

I found this movie to be thoroughly entertaining, well worth the price of admission. Visually, the images and environments were gorgeous. I really liked the rendition and the vision of the planet Krypton. I saw this in IMAX 3D and at no point did I think the 3D had 'cheese' factor to it, which is a big detractor for me. The 3D is used to add depth a realism to the movie, and was in no way gimmicky. Digital effects is something you have to expect from a comic-book themed movie. There was quite an orgy of it at the climax of the movie, and personally, I think it could have been scaled back a little, but it was not a giant flaw (Snyder did not have 'Michael Bay Syndrome'). Audio was very well done on this movie, getting the IMAX audio in this movie was definitely worth it. I will never complain when a score is given to Hans Zimmer to write, and I think having him write the score was, in some small way, taking  stand that this is a completely different franchise than the Superman revolving around Christopher Reeve. I really enjoyed the story, which is to be expected from a script by Nolan. This definitely gave good character development to a character that is usually pretty 2-Dimensional. I always enjoy non-linear storytelling, but this does also come with my one complaint on the story. I think that the story juggled timelines a little too much, I think stories set in the past could have been condensed. There are one or two plot holes, not giant ones, that I saw as well, but so as not to spoil the movie I won't discuss them here. Acting was just great. I am totally behind Cavill as Superman, think he did a fantastic job, but in my opinion, the movie totally belongs to Michael Shannon, our Gen. Zod, who I think delivered the best performance of his career here. I loved seeing General Zod as a tortured soul who felt bound to his path, and he knocked it out of the park.

As far as the things I have heard about this movie, while I am sure there are discrepancies in the plot of the origin of Superman, I do also know that with most any published work, in order to appeal to an audience big enough to pay for the large budget of the movie being made, some creative liberties have to be made so that a general audience, not just the comic book fans, can follow the story. Now I have never followed the Superman ethos closely, so I am not going to begin to point out everything that flew in the face of the comics. I do know that the origin is pretty close to the comics, but definitely, if nothing else, pays good homage to the comics too. I also know there was some controversy involving the new suit. I personally have no problem with the new, sans underwear, look. More importantly, anytime a brand relaunch like this happens, with heroes being so identifiable, especially their costumes, changes have to be made to show that this is a completely new storyline.

As for what this means for the DC Cinema Universe. I don't think this movie really means anything to it. Don't get me wrong I enjoyed it, it was beautiful, but, like Nolan's Batman series, it does not feel like Superman was part of a world where there is more going on then just his story. As much as I find it disappointing, I don't know if this movie will tie into any DC Universe series. everything I have read on the subject mostly has Snyder and DC dancing around and not committing to an answer, but with the scope of the movie, it just doesn't seem like it gives much room for other heroes to be involved in this 'Man of Steel' Universe. I could be completely wrong here, but this is just my opinion after seeing the story unfold. Now we already know that when I Justice League movie is made, they will be recasting and rebooting Batman, which already feels strange with the Dark Knight movies still vivid in the pop-culture memory. I look forward to seeing more comic movies, I am a sucker for them, but with DC, I have to say I am a little worried.

Score: ★★★★★★★★☆☆