Filmmaker vs the Fan

Rating: 10/10 (15 June 2013)

I strongly recommend seeing this film a second time before it leaves the theater. Before I go any further, this is truly and inspiring and groundbreaking film. To step back, I did not realize this until the second viewing (which was within 12 hours of the midnight showing). This is a grand and epic movie, that knows exactly what it has in mind for itself, but takes time to grow on you. The filmmaker in me (BFA in Film Studies and Production and LA indie filmmaker) had troubles with the pacing and editing the first time viewing. It is in a very untraditional manner, and very jarring to what schooling shapes your expectation of film structure to be. That, coupled with the dramatic difference in the portrayal of Superman in this film, in contradiction to the Donner film, makes it fairly easy to understand the mixed critical response. But, as a fellow film critic, I only pity the critics who could not release their schooling tendencies, and enjoy this film for everything that it does well. Everything about it is a game changer. The narrative arc, the character developments, the CGI use, and the acting. This film knows that it's an entry piece to a franchise, and recognizes that these "arc" and "developments" with characters is going to span the franchise, rather than per film. Once the sequel is released, I assure you, Man of Steel will be looked back at, as the mantle in which the superhero genre now sits. Our hero can cry, and kill, and feel hatred, but it is for this reason, above all, that he can become the Superman that we've come to know over the last 75 years. And from the fanboy stand point, it was a damn good thing to finally see the Superman that I've been wanting to see in my post-pubescent years. The climax of this film is beyond spectacular. In the last flashback, we also understand the context and importance of the entire film, which literally brought water to my eyes in the second viewing. This new Superman is the careful product of a genuine American role-model and father, who new exactly what was best for his son, and his future role and impact on mankind.The film is truly superb, to the point that I could write an entire essay on it. Until that time, I can only stress that anyone who reads this, presses the second screening with everyone around them (especially the mixed feeling ppl). This is a grand and overwhelming film, almost too much for it's own good. But the time to digest it truly exposes the super film that has been given to us. Im so thankful it turned out so well, and I feel sorry for the critics who had to meet immediate deadlines with their opinions. Unfortunately, that is the harsh product of our "see it from us first" approach at modern journalism. The facts and analysis are second to immediacy. Either way, I have no doubts, that this film will reach its potential relevance in the very near future. For now, just see the movie as much as you can. It's a spectacle not to be missed.