Review of Man of Steel (2013) by Gabriel H — 23 Apr 2016

The popularity of Superman in comics has continued to supersede every title in comic book history, selling well over 600 million copies worldwide, beating Batman, Spiderman, and the famous Japanese manga One Piece (in descending popularity respectively). Superman in the movies movies, on the other hand, has never done that well. He has never even broken into the Top 10 of most profitable superhero movies of all time (unbelievably losing out to the 1995 Joel Schumacher film 'Batman Forever'). However, Zack Snider attempts a new look at the character, and a very different approach in 'Man of Steel.'.

In many respects, this film is a very unique take on the character. Zack Snider took a very humanistic approach and followed a slightly non-linear narrative, in order to show us a much deeper history of Superman. He created an outsider out of Clark Kent. What I enjoyed most is that you receive the whole visual history of superman in this film, something that hasn't been the real focus in previous Superman films. His mother and father, an epic view of his home planet, the troubles facing it, and remarkably an entire narrative into why Superman can do the things he is capable of. It may upset hardcore fans of the previous films by changing so much of the original storyline, but this new film does wonders, and I suppose separates this film from the rest of the Superman films. The biggest reason for this might be studios pushing for a new franchise after the incredible success of Christopher Nolan's Batman Trilogy (both produced by Nolan's Syncopy Inc.), but it is a welcome change.

There are quite a few detractors of this film, and for good reason. The story is disjointed to say the least, and you have to have a taste for the non-linear. Many pointed out the fair number of plot holes, (mostly to do with Lois Lane giving away his identity to the press, or screaming "CLARK!" when she he was in his superman outfit, or the fact that she doesn't freeze to death in the Northern Arctic scenes), in addition to a lot of convenient happenings and loose ends (how many people must have died in the battle of Metropolis?). But overall, it's a very interesting film. There is some wonderful storytelling here, outside of the plot issues. Where this film really excels however, is in superman's strengths and weaknesses. He is nearly god like and by far the most powerful being on the planet, and perhaps that power would corrupt some. But he is a man of morality, instilled by his adoptive parents, yet perhaps completely unsure of himself and his place on the planet he calls home. He is an outsider, and he knows this, and will he ever be able to call Earth his home. It is his emotional struggle throughout the film that makes this movie most interesting, and not just the epic fights.

Kal-El's future is uncertain, especially to himself. This movie raises the question that if he should reveal himself to the world; will we accept his help in our failing society, or will we reject and oppose him because of the danger he represents to us? (Personally, this is where I think they are going with the future of the series in Superman Vs. Batman), but as a stand alone film, 'Man of Steel' is one of the better, if not more human Superman adaptations to date.

3/5.