Man of Lead

Rating: 4/10 (17 June 2013)

This film is not recommended.
He's back! After numerous versions on stage, screen, and television, Superman has returned. This latest reincarnation, entitled Man of Steel, brings us a more brooding and realistic superhero, with more advanced CGI and less comic book humor. It follows past stories of our superhero and his myth with a earnestness and devotion as not to offend any fan base. In fact, the film takes itself too seriously. What it doesn't do is thrill those die-hard fans or anyone else either. It's all so deadly dull.
Man of Steel stars Henry Cavill as Clark Kent a.k.a. Kal-El a.k.a. Superman. Physically, he's perfectly suited for the role. With flowing cape and form-fitting blue spandex (minus the red underwear this time around), Cavil makes a believable hero that could cause serious damage to any villain but more probably cause excessive drooling by most women and gay men. He is super eye candy, cavorting around Metropolis with his low body fat index and rippling muscles on display. (There are many scenes showing off the actor's naked torso and manly physique. We call that in the biz: the money shot.) As for his acting, he isn't given much to do than strut his stuff, which he does handsomely.
With a formulaic script by David S. Goyer and Christopher Nolan (yes, one and the same), the set pieces for the legend to unfold are all there. From his escape from Krypton as an infant, to his days as Superboy with the Kents (Kevin Costner and Diane Lane, easily the best part of the film); Clark's subsequent meeting with Lois Lane (Amy Adams); his on-going fight for truth, justice, and the American Way. Yet the way they're assembled is strictly rote filmmaking, or not well wrote, pardon the pun.
Superman's love interest has been modernized for the 21st century too. The dependable Amy Adams plays Lois Lane, now a Pulitizer Award winning investigative reporter. The actress has the necessary spunk and tries valiantly to pump some energy into her sidekick role. The chemistry between her and Cavill is totally lacking any real heat. Supporting cast members include: Russell Crowe (in a non-singing role, thankfully) as Jor-El, Christopher Meloni as Col. Hardy, and Laurence Fishburne as Perry White. All of these competent actors are wasted in their underwritten roles. That their roles are short is merciful.
Of course, to make an action film work, one needs an evildoer to counter-weigh all the heroic good. That chore falls on the broad shoulders of Michael Shannon as General Zod. Shannon has proved himself to be a strong actor in past endeavors. Here he brings on the menace in dollops of overheated ham. (Hold the mustard!) Let us hope this misstep will be a learning experience for this talented actor to choice his next project more wisely.
I won't belabor the story, as it is known by most moviegoers. In fact, the familiarity of the plot creates some of the boredom. Director Zach Snyder (whose previous track record includes awful movies like Watchmen and Sucker Punch) still hasn't learned much about restraint and character development. He stages his action sequences with no real flair and continually stuffs his film with so many special effects and so much frenzied camera-work that the actors just seem dwarfed in their surroundings. Too often one cannot distinguish the special effects and stunt-work with the in-your-face shaky photography. (The anti-climactic slug match between Superman and Zod goes on far too long, becoming a slog fest.) The blatant product placements seen throughout the film (BP, Sears, IHOP, etc.) is even more dizzying. (I can't wait to visit IHOP for their Superman Short Stack Special, sure to be coming to a restaurant near you.) That the director elicits three of the today's finest actors (Adams, Shannon, and Fishburne) to deliver their worst performances in years however does make Snyder a triple threat indeed.
Synder also get sub-par work from production designer Alex McDowell, who seems to be lost somewhere in the Art Deco years and Futurama, and film editor David Brenner who cuts the film for the ADHD video crowd. Costumes by the team of James Acheson and Michael Wilkinson are in search of a time period and some subtle wit. The usually gifted Hans Zimmer provides the loud and obtrusive music.
Wholly spandex, this film is so synthetic. Man of Steel may be one of this summer's biggest blockbusters, but for me, it was just one of this summer's biggest bust. GRADE: C
ANY COMMENTS: Please contact me at: jadepietro@rcn.com