popcorn preview of Man of Steel

Rating: 10/10 (14 June 2013)

WowI don't know where to begin. OK, I'll just startimagine a time when you were young and it was weeks before Christmas. And during this time there was a toy or something that was supposed to be amazing, and you prayed that Santa would put it under the tree for you. Remember the anxiousness you felt day after day when you were pretty sure you were going to get this awesome toy, but couldn't know for sure. Remember feeling the nervousness you felt, when you thought about getting this toy and wondered if it wasn't going to live up to your expectations. Christmas came, you got the present you were looking for, and it was better then you could have imagined. This is an analogy of what I felt before and after watching Man of Steel, and this is how you will feel during the film.
Zack Snyder, David Goyer and Christopher Nolan took the challenge of rebuilding a long distressed franchise that had been regulated to jokes and empty promises. Believe me when I tell you that they took this challenge to heart. Snyder imagined the character of Superman that was only known in comic books. Snyder has redefined how a superhero movie must be made.
This is a complete reboot, right down to the opening scene when you witness the birth of Kal-El. For the first 20 minutes or so, Snyder goes into great depths of the origin of Krypton, their history and their world. You quickly discover that Krypton is on the brink of destruction, and General Zod has betrayed the council by starting a war. Jor-El finds a way to send off his son and Zod is banished into the Phantom Zone.
The story continues to go through Clark Kent growing up, but in a way that's never been done before. It's an almost depressed Clark, where he is divided and confused about who he is and about his place in the world. Snyder also used the obvious connection between Superman and Jesus Christ, by making several references to God, and Clark being a God. This adds to the pressure to live up to the "hype." General Zod finds Kal-El just as he is finding himself and declares war on him and the planet. I must say that from the beginning of the film, to when Zod arrives is nothing but intense drama and promises of what's to come. While I was watching the film, I wondered if the result could live up to the hype, like Christmas. But believe me when I tell you that it will exceed your expectations. The relentless action and amazing battles are like nothing I've ever seen, or could have imagined. Even during all of this, Snyder is able to develop the character of Superman with cut scenes to the past and conversations with Jor-El. I don't want to ruin the movie so I'll stop talking about plot points.
There is only one character that is truly developed in the movie and that is Superman. Everyone else is there to move the story and assist with this development. However, Snyder makes these people important through great dialogue and a well developed relationship between these characters. The acting in this film helps this along. Henry Cavill is not Christopher Reeve and doesn't pretend to be. He is a darker, more grown up and an emotionally torn version of Superman. Amy Adams is great as always, she plays a Lois that is not as in "awe" with Superman as the past versions of the character. She knows that he is meant for something great and assists as necessary. Russell Crowe is always an actor who commands your attention on screen (as long as he doesn't sing) and he play's a more "take things into my own hands" type of Jor-El. Michael Shannon is a great and not well known actor, who plays and excellent and scary Zod.
In conclusion, Man of Steel exceeded my expectations. I am still in disbelief about what I just saw. This review is biased based upon my love for the character and the material, but I am confident that your view of the film won't be far off.
I saw this film at the IMAX 3D and I recommend you do the same. Spend your hard earned money to see this film, because a movie like this only comes around once and a life time.