Man of Steel?: Resplendent Reboot or Soulless Spectacle?

Rating: 6/10 (14 June 2013)

Man of Steel serves many purposes for WB, for one it erases the bitter memories of a boring Superman Returns?. It sets up a Justice League film (through tiny easter eggs.) It even serves to create a viable franchise for a constant cash flow especially after the Nolan Batman films and the Harry Potter films had met their ends. It probably has fulfilled or will fulfill all of these aforementioned missions with style and flair. As per each Zack Snyder? film, the visuals are candy to the corneas. The landscapes and CGI amaze for one. This film is gorgeous. Snyder brings his trademark huge action sequences in tow sans the typical slow motion. The action is fluid and magical. However, as with all Snyder films, this comes with the typical caveat: action at the expense of story. Don't get me wrong, the story is grand and huge and there but it feels sidelined whenever a set piece comes. The story is not as fluid as the action and that shows. No Sucker Punches here though. The cast does do their best with their material. Cavill manages to bring a depth and surreal tone to an other wise flat Superman when he's allotted the time to act. Amy Adams brings the spunk to a lively and vibrant Lois Lane. Michael Shannon provides a multi-faceted Zod who we can actually feel a morsel of sympathy for. Antje Traue provides a serviceable vixen who feels horribly underdeveloped. Perhaps the only beacons of soul in this film are Superman's parental figures. Russell Crowe sans singing here is quite the scene stealer, Diane Lane as well when ever old Martha Kent gives our hero some advice. Kevin Costner plays a fine Jon Kent. But even with this star studded cast with talent to boot, the film lacks a warmth to it or a real spark. I had the taste of the Transformer films in my mouth what with the whole generic terraforming plot-line everyone these days seem to use. I asked a simple question with my title. I have a complex answer. It's both. Your mileage will vary. I liked it and just that. I won't shout to the world I loved it but I won't spend much more time on IMDb trolling the boards. 6.7/10