Man Of Steel(2013) directed by Zack Snyder, 12th June

 Plot

Sent to Earth by his parents Jor-el and Lara to escape the dying planet Krypton. Raised by the Kent's as their own for 33 years Clark Kent has lived as one of us. Set a drift in a world that does not know he exists.  Wandering from place to place and moving from one low end job to another. Struggling to find his place in the world knowing that he is different and possessing powers which could make him a god. All this changes when he hears of a mysterious object discovered in Canada and heads off to discover it. From here he triggers off events which allow him to find his place in the world at last after years of wondering.

Review

This is a second re-boot of a super hero franchise. The last attempt was almost 7 years ago with the much maligned and underrated Superman Returns by Bryan Singer. The film has Chris Nolan's finger prints all over it. Like his previous enterprise with Batman he has started off with another origins story changing the tone and making it more 'Real' as if this could really happen in our world. Allowing Zach Snyder to have his own take on Superman.

The film opens with planet Krypton on the edge of destruction. From here the film goes straight in with action and explaining the reasons for General Zodd's (Michael Shannon) actions. The first 30 minutes of the film are told in flashbacks mixing the past with the present to explain why Clark Kent is wondering the country.

Henry Cavill fills Superman's boots well. Certainly looking and acting the part of the do-gooder and also being nobodies fool. He gives a convincing performance of someone lost but knowing that they are destined for something greater in life. All he needs to do is be patient and bide his time. Amy Adams portrayal of Lois Lane is her own take and a more subtle portrayal than Margot Kidder. Kevin Costner and Diane Lane are perfect as the Kents. Whilst Russell Crowe whom I was not expecting to play a major part in the film excels as Jor-El. The ever watchable Michael Shannon gives a different take of the General Zodd from Terrence Stamp. Here he is portrayed as a fanatic where the ends justify the means. Whilst Antje Traue playing Faore-Ul is a very suitable sub-ordinate of the general. Laurence Fishburne is a great Perry White and steals the screen whenever he is on. To be honest everybody mentioned here adds to the film. Unfortunately the military men played by Henry Lennix as General Swanwick and Christopher Meloni as Colonel Hardy are just given two dimensional characters to play.

Like previous Zach Snyder films this is a heavily laden CGI film. Unfortunately there is no escaping this and it is required to capture the scale and titanic fight scenes between the Kryptonians. The 3d does not really add much to this film but the story is good enough for you to forget the 3d.

The look of the film and even the new suit is good though some purists will be insistent on having the red pants back. There are few laughs but small subtle jokes are within the film. This is a serious film and starts on a huge operatic scale lending the need for gravitas where the fate of humanity rests on the shoulder of someone not of this world..

My only real criticism is that the titanic battle does go on for a titanic time but when you have two opponents of equal abilitlies and powers this is to be expected. Also there are some clunky parts like when Superman discovers his powers. Surely he would have known these already when he was younger but this is just nit picking.

This film has all the hall marks of David Goyer and Chris Nolan from their Batman series but there is enough in this film to know it is directed by Zack Snyder. As a whole this is a great re-boot. The tone is grittier and is set in a believable world. There are hints and nods in this film to the next villain if a sequel is made. It is not going to please some people especially those comparing it to the recent  efforts on television and the Christopher Reeves/Richard Donner films. To get the most out of this film it is best not to compare and be prepared for something slightly different. As mentioned in the film you need to take a leap of faith first before people will accept. I have taken the leap and ready for the next film.

8.5/10