Engaging if superficial darker tone gives way to excessive special effects and noise later in the film – mostly works for what it is though

Rating: Null/10 (21 October 2013)

When this came out in the cinemas I must admit I didn't really care; the years have left me less inclined to go and sit in packed cinemas full of code-of-conduct breakers only to be disappointed by yet more hollow noise. I had heard the promise of a "darker" reboot, but the effects heavy trailers and the presence of Zack Snyder at the helm really made me doubt that. However, on a long flight it seemed like a good way to fill the time when I had little else to do, and so I gave it a go. In fairness it is actually not too bad and the negative things I had heard were mostly rather exaggerated and perhaps coming from other agendas rather than meeting the film on its own terms and judging it there.
The dramatic opening on Krypton lets you know that this is going to be a film with lots of special effects thrown around but it does at least set the tone well. This continues in the first part of the film where the nicely done structure allows us to have key moments of backstory without the whole film having to go back there and work forward. This section of the film does have some weight to it but could have done more and be more heart-felt. Although it deserves credit for trying, it does feel rather superficial in its delivery, I enjoyed it for the content but would have liked it to be smarter and better. The second half of the film becomes more and more about the action and it is noisily dizzying. I enjoyed it for the spectacle and much of it was well done, but some of the very specific scenes of peril involving very specific characters, could have been cut with no great loss. It uses the dramatic music and dark tone well though to add weight to this – having its cake and eating it in some ways but ultimately it does just become a blur after a whie.
The cast probably has too many famous faces but mostly they work while also being a parade of distraction. Cavill makes a likable Superman, although the material never tests his emotional range too much, but just enough to work. Shannon is a very good piece of casting as he brings a really good dark intensity to Zod (as he does to everything) and he adds weight to the character which remains even when he becomes a special effect rather than an actor. Adams is OK but a little out of place – you sense her light, pretty approach is there for the romantic or flirty moments. Costner is solid while Crowe, Lane, Fishburne, Meloni and others do good work. Too many recognizable faces do float around, but it is a big budget movie and this is the danger I guess.
Ultimately Many of Steel was better than I expected despite doing just what I thought it would. The darker tone is rather superficial but still just about works although the second half of the film really is just one big effects showcase without too much else to be had. It is noise and distracting for this and it did the job even if I doubt I'll remember much about it when/if a sequel comes around.