Man of Steel

Cast of Characters:
Kal-El/Clark Kent - Henry Cavill
Lois Lane - Amy Adams
General Zod - Michael Shannon
Jonathan Kent - Kevin Costner
Martha Kent - Diane Lane
Perry White - Laurence Fishburne
Faora-Ul - Antje Traue
Lara Lor-Van - Ayelet Zurer
Jor-El - Russell Crowe

Director - Zack Snyder
Screenplay - David S. Goyer
Based upon “Superman” characters created by Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster
Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence, action and destruction and for some language

      June 14 has arrived and that means the most anticipated blockbuster film of 2013 is finally here! Henry Cavill headlines an all-star talented cast featuring Academy Award nominees Amy Adams, Michael Shannon, Diane Lane, Laurence Fishburne and Academy Award winners Kevin Costner and Russell Crowe in a film featuring the most beloved American superhero icon of all-time (Holy heresy, Batman! Did he say what I think he said?!), Man of Steel. It's really a shame movies with Christopher Nolan's name attached to it can never attract anyone talented.

      Come to me, son of Jor-El! Kneel before Zod! This will be a spoiler free review to those concerned about me giving anything away. To those that have read the "Superman" comics, seen any of the TV series be it Adventures of Superman, Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (Yes, I was hesitant to add it to the list), or Smallville, Richard Donner's 1978 Superman, or more importantly - above all else - read this week's "Benjamin's Stash: Video Pick of the Week", you are more than familiar with the origin story of Kal-El. Man of Steel opens on Planet Krypton with the birth of Kal-El to the parents of Jor-El (Russell Crowe) and Lara Lor-Van (Ayelet Zurer), the first natural birth in Krypton for centuries. Following the birth, Jor-El addresses the Kryptonian Council on the impending destruction of the planet due to an unstable planetary core. His address is soon interrupted by General Zod (Michael Shannon) who, along with his associate Faora-Ul (Antje Traue), is leading a rebellion against the Council in order to take over the planet. Fearing not only imminent planetary destruction, but a breakout of Civil War, both Jor-El and Lara save the life of their child by launching a ship containing Kal-El to Earth. Meanwhile, General Zod and his army have been arrested, tried, and finally sentenced to the Phantom Zone for 300 cycles, but not before he adamantly declares to Kal-El's family that he will one day find him.

      Fast forward to 30 years later. Kal-El has been living on Earth, switching jobs frequently under different identities out of fear his true self would expose his powers to the world. Through flashbacks, we come to find that the boy was renamed Clark Kent, adopted by Jonathan (Kevin Costner) and Martha Kent (Diane Lane) who found the child's crash-landed ship outside their farm. Now a grown man, Clark's mysterious identity catches the eye and fascination of ambitious Daily Planet reporter Lois Lane (Amy Adams), despite objections from her boss Perry White (Laurence Fishburne) to pursue this story. Despite being raised by his adoptive father to keep his true identity a secret in order to protect him, Clark faces a dire ultimatum when Earth is invaded by General Zod and his army. They offer Kal-El a choice: surrender himself or witness the destruction of the human race.

      A film with this much anticipation built up leads to overwhelming expectations, especially after we've seen the gradual build up through the 50 million different trailers and TV spots (excellently marketed by Warner Bros. Studios, by the way). I myself have been a huge fan of the Superman story since a little kid - as I previously mentioned on the last "Benjamin's Stash" segment. Superman I and II  were both magical films, yet since then we've gotten Superman III, IV, and Returns, which were horrible. Consider them the Joel Schumacher Batman equivalent of the Man of Steel. Anyway, I remember back in April I said Scary Movie 5 was the worst film of the year and that despite only being four months into 2013, there won't be a worse film released this year... and I just wanna say it still is, just to reiterate that fact. What did you think I was going to say? Anyway, I loved this movie. Now to those expecting this to be a "dark and brooding" film in the vein of Nolan's Batman trilogy, think again. There are certainly dark circumstances (Particularly, one climatic choice Kal-El has to make. Won't say anything else) in a story grounded in realism as much as it can be. You'll definitely find traces of Christopher Nolan here; however, this is not Nolan's film. This is Zack Snyder and David S. Goyer's film, and as much as some may want this to be realism, realism, realism, at the end of the day we're still talking about an alien being getting shipped off to Earth. Snyder certainly knows how to string together enough visual crackle to make your head spin (300, Watchmen, Sucker Punch), and the visual effects are phenomenal here. Just seeing the opening story arc of Planet Krypton is enough to keep your eyes glued to the screen. The fact that Snyder shot everything himself is all the more impressive. The real strength of the film though - not to take anything away from Snyder - is Goyer's storytelling. There's so much depth here with the character and upbringing of Clark whether it's the fear and confusion he feels as a child when discovering these powers he doesn't understand, or leaning on the guidance of his parents Jonathan and Martha. The non-linear structure is a bit different from most origin stories, but the way it's handled is beautifully executed and at times adds a greater context and purpose to moments later on in the film. The performances are what you'd expect from a cast like this. Henry Cavill obviously had big shoes to fill in taking a role like this, but gives a performance worthy of the role. Amy Adams and Laurence Fishburne are both solid as Lois Lane and Perry White respectively. Russell Crowe is perfectly cast as Superman's father Jor-El (Who, to those wondering, has more than just a cameo role like Brando kind of had). Both Kevin Costner and Diane Lane are absolutely wonderful as Clark's adoptive parents - my favorite moments of the film. The lovely Antje Traue is beautiful, feisty and a cold hearted bitch all rolled into one, and Michael Shannon gives a terrifying and complex performance as General Zod that even Terence Stamp would be proud of. This is not a one dimensional type of comic book villain. Zod here is clearly motivated by a reason beyond just revenge. If there's any gripe I did have about the film - other than one spoiler shot I found unnecessary, but whatever - it's that they kinda shoehorned the Superman/Lois Lane love interest angle, although they do share a great moment together when she first interviews him (the "It's not an S." moment you've seen in the trailer). I just wish if they were going for the love interest angle, that maybe they should've held off 'til the sequel (which has already been confirmed), and develop their relationship a bit more.

      As far as the compare game goes, I don't even bother. I didn't do it with Nolan's Batman trilogy to Burton's first two films (both completely different, yet great versions). I didn't do it with J. J. Abrams's Star Trek films to the original film series, and I won't do it here. Being a completely different take on the story, it's not fair to those involved here, and quite frankly it's not fair to those involved with the first two Superman films (especially given the special effects advantage Man of Steel clearly has). That being said, I will say compared to Parts III, IV, and Returns, Man of Steel could've just had Henry Cavill taking a dump in the Fortress of Solitude for two and a half hours, and I still would've loved it more than the other three films. The effects are amazing. Hans Zimmer's score is once again perfect. The final showdown between Kal-El and Gen. Zod was exhilarating, and above all else, the dual relationship of father and son between Kal-El/Clark Kent and Jor-El/Jonathan Kent adds a beautiful and moving layer of much needed humanity that I haven't seen in a Superman film for quite some time. Also, if you can't see the Messianic allegory Goyer has going on here, you're clearly blind 'cause it's fairly obvious. Surprisingly, critics may be on the thumbs down side of this film, but unlike them, I was able to pull the stick out my ass before watching it. It's not the best film this year. It's not the perfect A+ I'd like to have given it, but for me, outside a few minor issues, my expectations were met anyway. Plus, I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel like that happy little three year old kid I once was when Kal-El steps out of the ship finally dressed as Superman. Welcome back, son of Jor-El! I give Man of Steel an A (★★★★).

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