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- First reviewJune 15, 2013
- Last reviewJune 15, 2013
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jcostella's Reviews
Overall rating
5
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5
The King of All Superheroes Has Returned!
PostedJune 15, 2013
Dialogue
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5
Special Effects
5
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5
Art Direction
5
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5
Acting
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5
Story
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5
Camerawork
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5
Let’s get one thing out of the way here at the beginning. I am a lifelong Batman fan. Most of the things in my life revolve around at least something to do with the Caped Crusader. The majority of my love of comic book characters will always be dedicated to him. But I also wore Superman pajamas with the Velcro cape attached throughout my childhood. There’s no mistaking that The World’s Finest are my two favorite characters in all of superhero culture.
From 2005 to 2012, I considered myself to be one of the luckiest Batman fans alive. Not only were Christopher Nolan and his team giving us the greatest Batman films in the 70 year history of the character, but my life was changing for the better and it was all thanks to Batman. I was meeting many Batman fans around the world thanks to sites like Batman-on-Film.com and I began working for ModernMythMedia.com which continued to extend the connection with fans of the comic book genre as a whole. Most precious to me of all though was on August 6th, 2011 when I was an extra for a day on the set of The Dark Knight Rises. As a Batman fan for nearly 25 years, there is almost no greater accomplishment.
When news first broke that same creative team behind the Dark Knight Trilogy was developing a new Superman movie that would hopefully lead to a new franchise, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t excited at the possibilities. Superman Returns was a disappointment for me as it was for many fans of the character. Instead of WB using modern technology and new creators to usher in the Last Son of Krypton for a new generation of fans, the film focused its attention backwards in time. I’ll say at the very least, it was a better Superman III then what we received back in 1983. Superman Returns made too many assumptions and focused too much on what came before instead of what was possible for the future. However, I place zero blame on the shoulders of Brandon Routh as he undoubtedly made the most of what he was given. Needless to say, the new potential that a Nolan/Goyer franchise could bring was welcomed and needed.
Since the mediocre “Return” of Superman in 2006, the superhero film genre has grown to a level that NO ONE ever predicted. It has become, arguably, the most financially viable genre in today’s cinematic landscape and the various films have broken and continue to break box office records. The recent sweeping success of the genre can be attributed to two main entities, The Dark Knight Trilogy and Marvel’s Phase One. Despite the “S,” (aka the symbol of hope) being the 2nd most recognizable symbol in the world trailing only the Christian cross, Superman has zero part of the recent success of the genre. I can’t be the only person that feels somewhat unsatisfied by this. How can the first superhero be absent from the current cinematic landscape? Luckily, Chris Nolan, David Goyer, and Zack Snyder set out on a mission to remind us that the greatest superhero of them all, should never be forgotten.
No one has ever seen a Superman film quite like Man of Steel. The inevitable comparisons to the Donner films will happen and have been happening with almost every piece of news since this film was first announced. However, there are very few similarities between the films and that’s a very good thing. I know there are many people who are not ready to let go of the only cinematic version of Superman that they’ve ever known. In a way, I can understand how they feel. The Dark Knight Trilogy will always be “my” version of Batman that I love the most. In just a few short years from now, a new version of Batman will stand on screen next to Henry Cavill. It will be something I’m not used to. But witnessing how Man of Steel establishes a new Superman franchise while laying the foundation for the DC cinematic universe, brings me considerable comfort.
The tone of Man of Steel and changes to the cinematic version of Superman’s mythology are topics that will be debated for months and probably years to come. My biggest suggestion to those of you out there who have not seen the film yet is do not go into it expecting the same type of tone and themes that are present in the Marvel films. Man of Steel is earnest and establishes itself in a world strikingly similar to the current one we all inhabit. There are humorous moments and moments with levity but don’t expect the main characters to be spouting off witty one-liners every five minutes. The film attempts and accomplishes the tasks of offering the audience much more.
When it comes to our current era of superhero films, there are pretty much two methods that have been used consistently over the last decade. There is the Marvel method and the DC method. The Marvel method is quite simply, comic books come-to-life. They are light-hearted, entertaining blockbusters. You know exactly what you’re going to get. The films don’t attempt to make a connection with the audience outside of straightforward entertainment.
The DC method is different. The Dark Knight Trilogy and now Man of Steel go great lengths to establish a realistic feel to the world’s they build for their characters to exist in. The themes in these movies are geared towards audiences that enjoy an emotional interactivity. You won’t find many one-liners but you will find occasional moments of situational humor and levity. The main characters deal with situations and consequences that often hit home for the audience thanks to that realistic world already established.
The best part about the Marvel and DC methods is that there is plenty of evidence to show that both are very successful. The Dark Knight Trilogy raked in around $2.5 billion and the last two Marvel films have easily passed the billion dollar mark. Man of Steel looks poised to bring in a nice profit for Warner Bros. as well. These two methods create a balance in the superhero film genre.
There is no singular method or formula currently at play in the superhero genre that provides a perfect balance of the Marvel and DC methods. And let’s face it, even if there was, no version would ever make everyone happy all of the time. There is no perfect formula.
Man of Steel does a great job of embracing fantastical elements within a realistic world. That’s about as close to a balance as you can get. Everything else comes down to personal preference and semantics. If you go down the road of too much humor, any type of threat you’ve established loses its validity. If you go for no humor whatsoever, there’s no chance for a breath for the audience and it can be too emotionally jarring. It’s one of the most difficult jobs when it comes to making films like these. Sure, there are some fun moments in comic books but there are very few comic books with a plethora of humor. Usually, it’s tied to certain characters. If Batman is cracking jokes while he’s punching a bad guy, it’s difficult to take that seriously. However, I believe it’s a waste if we never ever allow these characters to be something more than a live-action animated film.
Man of Steel gives the audience more than straightforward entertainment. It offers an emotion connection to the characters in the story. Between Jor-El and Jonathan Kent, you see an unflinching devotion and love to their shared son. Whether you’re a son, daughter, father, or mother, you can’t help but be affected by the relationships on screen between Clark and his fathers.
The action and spectacle are impossible to avoid or not acknowledge. Zack Snyder has proven time and again that he is capable of creating fast-paced storytelling and action that engulfs the audience. In Man of Steel he has raised his game and silenced at least some of the haters.
David Goyer and Chris Nolan crafted a story filled with emotion and complex moral themes that at one point or another test every character. This should be no surprise to those who are a fan of their work. Just like with the Dark Knight Trilogy, there is plenty of story elements that will be discussed and debated for years to come.
The supporting cast all perform their roles with admirable experience. The method, dating all the way back to the Donner films of surrounding a relatively unknown lead actor with a supporting cast of highly experienced and word-renowned actors, has worked yet again. I’m extremely excited for the future films and the continued exploration of the relationships between the principal characters.
Henry Cavill performs the nearly impossible task of following Christopher Reeve with confidence, power, humility, and grace. He IS Superman for the new generation. Michael Shannon delivers a menacing and memorable performance as General Zod. Without a doubt, his villain role places him among the greats in the superhero film genre. Amy Adams brings a strength, intelligence, and warmth to Lois Lane. The chemistry between Lois and Clark is palpable. Laurence Fishburne IS Perry White, period. Russell Crowe as Jor-El is my new favorite performance of Crowe’s in his lengthy film career. There’s no doubt that he is Superman’s birth father. Diane Lane is truly pitch perfect as Martha Kent. Her unconditional love for her alien son can warm even the coldest heart.
I purposefully saved Kevin Costner for last. The greatest compliment I can give his performance is that it felt like I was watching my own father on the screen. In my opinion, he steals the show without overshadowing his cast members.
Man of Steel is one of the most ambitious superhero films ever made. I believe that it is the best superhero origin film and Superman movie to date.
In 1978, they told us that we would believe a man can fly.
In 2013, we believe in Superman.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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