Man of Steel

image from Man of Steel website

 I have been in love with Clark Kent (alias Superman) for decades.

DC Comic image

George Reeves was my first, then those handsome DC Comic book versions were realistic enough to make a young girl swoon.

I can still recall sitting at my local hometown theater in 1978 watching the first Superman theatrical release starring Christopher Reeves and how I was in awe, in love, and so wowed!

That was movie magic!

Then television created a couple of Superman series which were good, but could never replace my first love.

The lukewarm Superman Returns with Brandon Routh was interesting but failed to resurrect the enthusiasm I once had for the red caped hero.

Man of Steel trailers began early last fall and I knew there was another chance.

I was suspicious of a new version, but since it’s the new fad these days, to remake, to sequel-ize, and to redo everything under the sun, I was ready for a Superman reboot.

Man of Steel showed up at my local theater this weekend, and sure enough, I was sitting in my favorite section of my Carmike theater, middle of the row, third high seat from the rails, bucket of popcorn and a large Coca-Cola waiting, and hoping, to be impressed, to be wowed yet again by a Superman movie.

Zach Snyder’s version had many character building scenes, a more detailed back-story, and a good portion of the film devoted to the struggle young Kent experienced dealing with being different. His native self, Kal-El had to cope with growing up human. 

In this movie, the young Kent had more serious inner battles than just showing off for a cute high school girl. 

Lois Lane’s new transformation, Amy Adams was a good match of cute, smart, and the now modern version which is less lady in distress. However, there are traditional moments where Lane's curiosity leads her into perilous situations giving opportunity for Superman to rescue her, making our romantic hearts mush and inner girl sigh.

This was an awesome spectacle of large special effects, IMAX themed scenes, and epic fights to delight all the guys and kids, although, maybe it’s my girl reaction, but those scenes did continue longer than what I deemed necessary. I enjoyed the excitement, but kinda grew less wowed as the fights continued.

It was the same reaction I had to the Transformer sequels, where all I could comprehend was loud noise, a screen full of metal smashing metal with a smidgen of people running around. Confusing.

Yet, Henry Cavill, did awaken my school girl crush, his haunting eyes and large bulging earthly muscles attached to a vulnerable and sensitive hunk were too much for this old chick. I am hooked.

Oh, and he speaks with a British accent! But not in this movie.

image from Man of Steel website

Yet, as a whole, the movie had some flaws that affect my initial reaction to the film. 

The pacing grew slow in parts, the fights too long, and I hate to say it, but it needed more campy, funny moments. We have grown to expect (and actually like) in Superhero movies.

It had heart that I am thrilled about. It had a plot deeper than young alien grows up American and beats up other alien.

The Man of Steel cast was amazing! 

Russell Crowe, Oscar winning actor playing the iconic role of Jor-El did a Gladiator style Super-Dad version perfect for a father’s day opening. (thankfully, he didn't have to sing...just sayin')

Michael Shannon was intense, yet we understood what drove his violence, and you can understand that he was not evil just because he was suppose to be evil.

Diane Lane was intriguing as Momma Kent and somehow I was more upset that she looked so much older than I thought she should. When did that happen? 

The usually comic relief and minor role of Perry White was surprisingly cast as a very serious Laurence Fishburne. It worked for this version to have his character be both wise and heroic, keeping the over achieving Lois Lane in line.

And no Jimmy Olsen!

As for Kevin Costner, he did the Father Kent role justice in his flashback parental guidance sequences, more like a Yoda/Luke relationship as he steered the young boy to grasp his role in society and to make choices. His commitment to keeping Clark’s powers secret until the world and young Clark were ready made for a powerful moment in the movie.

What does a superhero adolescent do when he can save people but at the cost of his own privacy and freedom? It’s a dilemma that is dabbled with all throughout the movie in flashbacks.

Man of Steel has awakened a new generation of Superman followers, and probably sequels will follow as the bucks roll in, so far the opening weekend is boasting 128 million dollars. A very big bang in blockbuster measurement.

If you go to the movies for fun, action, and to escape, then this is one for you.

Out of 4 buckets of popcorn, I give it three and a half.