Here’s the gist — I liked Man of Steel!
That is not to say that it has taken over that special spot in my heart where Christopher Reeve’s Superman series dwells. I LOVED that Superman. Superman 2 may actually be one of the first movies that I have watched inside a movie theater with my older brother interpreting the dialogues for me (when he felt liked it). We had a Superman collection in Betamax so I had more time to watch the movies over and over and over again (ala Star Wars ep 4-6)
But I was ready and curious to see who this new man of steel is. It helped that I have been seeing teasers of this reboot since late last year plus the fact that Christopher Nolan will be behind it. I knew what to expect.
This new movie is reminiscent of the James Bond’s shift from my favorite Pierce Brosnan to who-is-this-not-so-good-looking Daniel Craig. I had way more attachment to the James Bond character than Superman’s so I was ready to hate on Daniel Craig’s take on Bond. But when I saw Casino Royale, Craig’s first Bond movie — I loved it. And I loved Daniel Craig. After the movie ended, I was ready to say goodbye to the charming-but-whose-suit-never-gets-dirty James Bond. It was time for something different.
Reeve’s Clark Kent was this tall, awkward guy who periodically adjusts his fake prescription glasses, who bumps into a taxi while crossing a street and finds himself apologizing to the driver for the damage to the car or finds the nearest phone booth so he can change into his bright blue and red suit. He was endearing.
Recall also that in 2006, Brandon Routh donned the Superman cape for Superman Returns. That was a pretty decent film. It made modest earnings maybe that is why there was no follow up to it. Problem with Routh was, he reminded me so much more of Reeve.
Meanwhile, Man of Steel’s Henry Cavill, while also gifted with a chiseled face, seem more interesting to me as Clark Kent than Routh’s version. He doesn’t aim to be like Christopher Reeve. His take was more serious which I think is quite realistic.
I appreciated how the director presented the Clark Kent’s backstory. In fact liked all the flashbacks!
Speaking of back story. I mean, when you know that you are different and can’t explain it, how would you feel? When you were bullied as a kid and asked by your father to reign it in, how frustrated and confused would you be? When you know you can save your father but was asked not to, how painful would that be? (I loved that it had those emotional scenes which gave the character more depth.) When you couldn’t truly understand who you are, wouldn’t you feel alone? When he led a nomadic life, I thought that made sense too. He had a lonely journey ahead which I felt made sense too.
Still, like Reeve’s Kent, he loved the mother he grew up knowing. I remember Reeve’s character telling someone in the Daily Planet to send his paycheck to Martha Kent which I thought was sweet. This recent reboot allowed more minutes to develop his relationship with his mother. It showed a very human side to Kent and how very protective he was towards Martha.
I also liked General Zod and Jor-el’s back story. In Superman 2, it was only shown that General Zod and his two cohorts committed treason and was sentenced to the Phantom Zone (where they were imprisoned inside a mirror — sorry that was how i remembered it) but no provided no other details. Marlon Brando only had a few minutes screen time as Jor-el but was paid a hefty sum for his services. Which reminds me, I think Man of Steel’s Ursa was awesome! Way more awesome than the Sarah Douglas version of Ursa. Loved her.
What I wasn’t too crazy about? Pretty much a consensus i think. He killed Zod. And with his bare hands.
Zod wasn’t killed in the old version. He was just sent back to the Phantom Zone with his two side kicks. Superman usually doesnt kill, my husband (who is not a DC fan) said that. He is right. Plus, I mean, by breaking his neck?
I enjoyed the aerial fight between Zod and Superman but midway through it, I thought — there is just so much damage. How will Metropolis have enough time to rebuild in time for Part 2?
I understand that the movie didn’t have the lighter side that the old one had. I get that. Christopher Reeve as Superman will always be my beloved childhood memory. But I can’t not like Man of Steel. I hope part 2 will have Lex Luthor since I distinctly saw a LexCorp truck hauled by General Zod. (maybe a clue of things to come?).
Lastly, when Henry Cavill’s Kent put on his horn-rimmed eyeglasses and smiled at Lois Lane– sigh. He has the potential to totally win me over with his charm.
Play it by ear 