Still the same Superman, but given a new twist and sci-fi overhaul

Rating: 10/10 (22 November 2018)

I genuinely wonder what movie the negative reviewers here saw because I don't understand how it could have been Man of Steel. This movie actually seems to get better and better on subsequent re-watching, it's a truly fantastic re-telling of the Superman story we all know but given a sci-fi update to tie it all together. Everything now makes logical sense! Clark wasn't simply sent to Earth to save him, there's a greater purpose. Zod and his followers now have a solid reason for their actions beyond mere revenge which ties in with the plans of Clark's father, and their escape is no longer random but is linked to the fate of Krypton and the modifications they saw Clark's father had made to his own ship. Even the fortress of solitude is re-imagined here as a crashed Kryptonian vessel and becomes pivotal to the plot. This may be the first version of Superman that can stand on its own as not just a superhero movie but also a logically consistent sci-fi tale with a satisfying journey for the lead characters. Yes it has great action scenes, but what's between those scenes holds up very well too.
Actually I think maybe I do understand why at least some of the negative reviewers had a hard time with the movie - simply, it isn't Superman 1978. For some fans there's only one way to tell a story, and "their" Superman is a fully fledged superhero before he ever fights another Kryptonian. He is never forced to make the decision Clark does at the end of this movie because... I guess the plot should just shield him from that?!
I can't imagine anything more dull than remaking the same story for the umpteenth time, passing up all opportunities to explore what the character would have done if things had developed just a little differently. That's where Man of Steel really shines. This isn't Christopher Reeve's Superman who had the benefit of of a relatively easy introduction to the superhero business, this is a Superman who is still fighting against his own destiny as a result of his Earthly father's warnings when he's suddenly thrust into the role. It's absolutely still Superman, but given a new twist that really helps with the character's depth and journey. It's just a shame that the subsequent DC movies didn't live up to this fantastic start.