Man of Steel Review

With Zack Snyder and Christopher Nolan, the names behind some of the most widely acclaimed superhero films in recent years, on board, Man of Steel was always going to have a lot of hype to live up to. As it turns out, it hasn’t done too badly.
Reboots of superhero franchises are in vogue, with Batman and Spider-Man leading the pack, and now Superman returns to the screens in the body of English actor Henry Cavill. He is supported by an all-star cast, including Russell Crowe, Diane Lane and Amy Adams.
As a reboot, this film goes right back to the start, presenting the origin of the superhero from his birth on Krypton to his first step as Superman. With planet Krypton imploding, scientist Jor-El (Crowe) attempts to persuade the planet’s leaders to seek a new planet and begin life anew and for the better. But a military coup, led by General Zod (Michael Shannon), cuts short Jor’s plea. Determined to save the future of his people, Jor and wife Lara (Ayelet Zurer) send their newborn son to planet Earth- and thus begins the traditional tale of conflicting identities, so familiar to Superman fans.
But don’t expect to see Lex Luther in this one- there is another villain town, one with an intimate knowledge of our hero and his powers. With such an astute and powerful enemy as Zod, the scene is set for some strong action scenes. With each solid pound of gristle on muscle, we wince at the power on display here. If there is one thing director Snyder can do, it is combat scenes.
Yet even with the well coordinated action sequences, the pace itself is patchy. At times, Snyder seems unsure of where he wants to be, or where he wants to go. The camerawork is jumpy, and the battle scenes seem stretched as though trying to fill the holes in a thin story- a thin story that Snyder spends a lot of time just setting up.
In spite of this, the film has it’s good points. The actors are well cast. Chiselled and muscular with slicked back hair, Cavill is every inch Superman. His portrayal of Clark Kent is suitably clumsy and confused, evolving over the course of the film as the character begins to find himself. Amy Adams is feisty and smart as Lois Lane, with just enough of that damsel in distress quality to make her rescue scenes believable. And then there is Michael Shannon. His bulk, his sneer and his powerful delivery allow him to completely take over scenes as Zod. Special mention goes to Crowe for portraying the dignified and zealous scientist of a dying race without over-playing it. The rest of the supporting cast – Lane, Kevin Costner as Clark Kent’s earth father, Christopher Meloni as an army general determined to rid the planet of aliens- do a solid and memorable job.
As far as superhero movies go, this does not quite reach the heights of predecessors like The Dark Knight or The Avengers. But what Man of Steel does do, is deliver a highly enjoyable, action packed hero epic, setting the scene for a fun new franchise that will keep old fans going and inspire a new generation to put on red capes and fly around their backyards with Clark Kent.