A worthy Superman for this generation.
What They Say:
In the film, a young boy learns that he has extraordinary powers and is not of this Earth. As a young man, he journeys to discover where he came from and what he was sent here to do. But the hero in him must emerge if he is to save the world from annihilation and become the symbol of hope for all mankind.
The Review:
Superman is one of those characters that is, to the layman, fairly difficult to deal with. Not so much for generations of comic book readers and writers who have seen a myriad of interpretations and takes on the iconic character over the decades. While I am firmly in the Christopher Reeve generation as that was my non-comic version of the character, I’ve enjoyed the Lois & Clark series and, after some effort and a few seasons, the Smallville TV series. But those have always been interesting interpretations compared to the diversity of the comics. In that realm, the character was a hard, hard read in the 70’s and early 80’s, but when they performed the reboot under John Byrne, that became my Superman. And from there, with all sorts of takes on it, Elseworlds books and more, there’s just an endless array of Superman stories that can be told which are hugely creative, engaging and certainly not the mainstream-believed view of “the ultimate boyscout” that foolishly gets tossed around.
With this film giving the property a much needed reboot and separation from the previous theatrical incarnations, Zack Snyder gives us the Superman that has not been seen on the big screen before but desperately needed to be. It’s an origin story to be sure, but one that works it through in a more engaging way where the origin itself is woven into the film overall with flashbacks and progress in the present that ties it together well. The story has its deviations from the “original”, but that’s a given every time a new set of creative hands gets a chance at it. There’s certainly plenty of respect for what has come before and it does hew to the principles of it all, but it also changes it up, particularly in the relationship between Clark and Lois, which sets the stage for what is a far more engaging sequel as it’s not another case of “will she find out?” or anything. Instead, we get a more nuanced and complicated relationship that’s forged in a bond of near regular action and danger as opposed to the comical or strictly romantic approach.
While we have a good bit of strong material showing the varying ages of Clark as he copes with his powers, his peers and his parents and their expectations and worries, we also have something that has been lacking in previous incarnations. A strong villain, one that doesn’t truly view himself one until near the end and even then it’s a different kind of obsession/passion. With its opening act dealing with Krypton’s end and the relationship that exists between Jor-El and Zod, the end of the planet itself and the nature of how this society has risen and fallen. That exploration, which is covered similar to Clark’s story by being spread in varying degrees over the film, you get a far better feeling for how they expanded into the galaxy so big and then became susceptible to the end on one world. It also portrays the kind of class nature of Kryptonian’s and the way that Clark represents something very different, which is one of a couple of reasons that Zod is intent on coming to Earth to get him. It provides the right motivation and sets the stage for a worldwide event as he and his compatriots arrive and make it clear there is something bigger than Earth out there.
You can get most of the basics from the various trailers and numerous commercials and it’s fleshed out hugely here with so many things going on. While we’ve had a number of Superman movies where there’s more talk than action, and almost very little action in some cases, this one tilts much further in the other direction but balances it out with some very good character moments. The supporting cast is strong here when it comes to those that have a weighty enough role. Russell Crowe makes the most engaging Jor-El I’ve seen yet and definitely owns the role like no other. Kevin Costner takes on his human father role in an understated way, a very concerned and conservative approach to how he thinks Clark should handle his powers and place in the world, while Diane Lane balances him as his mother without going far to the other end, rather instead providing the kind of parenting couple that feels pretty natural.
A lot of the other characters are very incidental in a way, from Perry White to others at the Daily Planet and some of the military figures that step into play. Less full characters that just needed weights and balances. I rather liked Antje Traue as Faora, one of the more active Kryptonian’s that works with Zod, but she’s definitely second fiddle here. And rightly so as Michael Shannon completely and utterly owns this role. With so many interpretations focusing on the Lex Luthor character here, I was glad they avoided that but still worried about mining the familiar Zod material. But Shannon brings such an intensity to the character that’s based on the way he views how the world should work, which fits into the class system and the way people are defined on Krypton that it comes across as a true and natural thing. He’s focused, intense and true of purpose in what he’s doing that he provides what’s been lacking outside of the comics and some of the animated features. A full and real villain figure that is complicated and you can even sympathize with in many ways during the first act until everything goes bad for Krypton and his group. With a great look to him and the kind of emotion that Shannon brings to the character, it was very, very easy to get invested in the fight as it progresses.
Of course, so much of it really does rest on Henry Cavill in the lead role, who is only called Superman once or twice and not until near the end of the film. This is all a journey of discovery for him, for who he is and what he’s meant to do, and it’s explored in a few different ways because of the influences that have had their effect on him, first with his human father and then with Jor-El being inserted into his life in a shadow of a way. Throughout it all, from Clark’s time just trying to do good while covering his tracks to standing up and doing what’s right in front of the whole world, he conveys a conflicted man who wants to do the right thing but is worried about its impact across the board. There’s a reserved approach at times, and it’s a requirement as he’s trying to be certain of what he’s doing. But when certain threats are made, such as against his mother, the torrent of emotion is just as intense as Zod is at times.
This is also true during the most complicated moment of the film at the end where he has to make a particular decision, one that many will be upset that he crossed while others will say it’s a needed moment in order to be a part of what is the general feel of society these days. I’ll admit mixed emotions on it and feeling very uncertain about whether it was the right thing to do, but it fit in the scene and can be the perfect motivator going forward for how they have the character deal with threats by not wanting to revisit that again. Sometimes you have to make that kind of “mistake” in order to be certain that it’s not the person you want to be. That aspect is the audience reaction I’m most curious about since it’s a difficult thing to do with a character that is viewed as a boy scout by so many.
In Summary:
Simply put, I loved it. From start to finish and everything in between. This gave me the kind of Superman that I’ve always wanted on the big screen. From him all other superheroes have flown forth and it’s a necessary thing for him to truly tower above the rest. There’s a complicated character here that’s revealed and put through the crucible because of the villain, and the performances of Henry Cavill and Michael Shannon dominate this film. With some wondrous and intriguing back story pieces with Krypton that sets the foundations, a human element that bonds him and a romantic subplot that never oversteps and felt natural amid all the danger, Man of Steel earns its title and gives its blessing to any sequel to truly take on the Superman name. This is the Superman for this generation and it stands proud alongside the previous ones. I grew up on earlier ones across many different media and incarnations and I’m excited to see where this one will go and what it will do. It’s in fantastic hands.
Grade: A+
Some of the other reviews I’ve seen have lambasted the film for exactly the same reason you found it so alluring. They cant seem to process that Supes had to evolve with the times instead of remaining campy and untainted. Also, Zod was given a better role (The New Krypton arc seems to have inspired this look) than that in Superman II. I actually felt bad for him when he saw that his entire race was gone. And Superman II, Zod and co seemed to have been killed in almost a comedic manner (Supes was smiling and joking, for Christ’s sake!). The pathos and irony of Zod’s death was better served in MOS through I believe they could have extended it a little. Hopefully the sequel takes this up. But overall, the Superman we needed and deserved. 10.0/10.0
I can understand where some of the critics are coming from with it, but I keep finding they hold the Donner films in too high a regard. It’s the comic fans that I find more frustrating through since they should be used to various interpretations of characters, especially to film, and with superman in particular since he and Batman have been interpreted in so many ways. I revisited the original films a couple of years ago and as much as I loved them as a kid and teenager, they’re very hard to watch now.
I totally agree with everything you said, Chris. I loved this movie more than any I’ve seen in a long time. Maybe since Lord of the Rings. And for all the reasons you give.