Good, but not Super.

Rating: 8/10 (14 June 2013)

After Batman received the royal treatment from Warner Bros and DC, I am very grateful to them for finally bringing us a new Superman film, and the probable sequel(s) that will follow. However, after waiting for this film since first hearing of its production back in 2011, coupled with the epic marketing buildup these past few weeks, my expectations were awfully high. This movie not only had to make up for the lack of action in 'Superman Returns', but also be able to show me something new, the emotional side of Superman and his evolution from a self-conscious alien outsider to a symbol of hope for the people of Earth.
After watching the finished product, I can say that my expectations were met, but just barely. This film does provide more details into Superman/Kal-El/Clark's past than any previous film, which I certainly appreciated. We also get a just enough of background on Zod to finally understand his motives, and (almost) feel sorry for him. Yet, these short heartfelt and thought provoking moments were overshadowed by the almost comical amount of action, fighting and destruction. Sure, all that "boom" is textbook summer blockbuster 101, but I truly believe taking away 15 minutes of action and dedicating it more to character back story and development would have better served the film and the audience.
I know reviews will be very mixed on this film, but in the end, I think we, the fans, have been given a worthy Superman reboot that, while action heavy, still lays a great foundation for the Man of Steel's future.