This is the Superman movie I have been waiting for...

Rating: 8/10 (18 June 2013)

Although at points devoid of story and character development, Man of Steel is a very fast paced and very enjoyable film. Henry Cavill does a fantastic job portraying a very somber, conflicted, and likable Superman. The writers traded the stereotypical "truth and honor" and very American Superman for a more realistic one, which allows the filmmakers to richly explore the idea that this somewhat invincible hero is very conflicted in his morals and emotions. Although some say too somber, I think Cavill brought out the Superman charm a couple of times throughout the film, making it less of a staple to the character and more of a genuine action. Kevin Costner and Russell Crowe deliver lights out performances as well as this man's two fathers. Costner provides a Pa Kent that is just as conflicted about his son and his son is. Lois Lane and General Zod, although somewhat flawed in their character development, are both portrayed fantastically by the very talented Amy Adams and Michael Shannon (whose acting prowess I felt was underused). The action scenes were truly a spectacle. High octane, in your face action that continues to pound the screen throughout. I was perking up in my chair with wide eyes on numerous occasions throughout the film. While this might seem troubling, Zack Snyder and company provide a series of flashbacks that not only give the audience a look into Superman's past but also give their eyes and ears a break. The smile on my face was not broken throughout.
Unfortunately, no movie is perfect, and Man of Steel definitely has some major issues that hold it back from being great. Although the idea of General Zod being presented as a villain who thinks what he's doing is right, he was just missing that extra something that would have made him menacing. I wanted to see more menace in his presentation because at times he felt a bit generic. This is especially disappointing when you have such a talented actor like Michael Shannon who definitely knows how to pull off a good anything. Lois Lane's character was presented as a very strong character right off the bat, which is fantastic, but her hard journalist side seemed to completely dissipate whenever Superman was around, making her just another damsel in distress. Some of the other supporting characters seemed to lack the development needed to care for them in the end. On top of this (and also my biggest problem with the film), although the flashbacks were a very interesting way to tell us about Clark's childhood, they created a major issue with pacing where nothing felt connected. It just seemed like they were using the flashbacks to just from major action scene to major action scene, which at points was jarring.
Minor issues aside, Man of Steel is the definition of a summer blockbuster, which I honestly consider a good thing. Coming off of such a dull installment like Superman Returns, audiences needed to see a Superman who knows how to throw a punch. The story is there, but much like Clark with his true origin, you really have to search for it. Cavill portrays a Superman whose conflict is much more internal than we've ever seen which is a concept that might not be met with open arms. Nevertheless, grab you big bucket of popcorn and hang on for the ride of the summer. This is the Superman film I've been waiting for and a great start to what could be a fantastic series. 8/10
It does upset me that a film like Superman Returns has a higher rating from critics, but oh well, different topic for a different day I suppose.