Kevin Costner Steals The Movie

Rating: 8/10 (21 October 2016)

Man Of Steel (2013)
Plot In A Paragraph: An alien orphan is sent from his dying planet to Earth, where he grows up to become his adoptive home's first and greatest superhero.
I will admit from the off Richard Donners Superman is in my Top 10 movies of all time, and probably always will be. But I will try to avoid comparisons.
Lacking the humor and charm of Donner's 1978 Superman and Christopher Reeve's iconic performance (Damn It) pretty much starts from scratch, and has all the trademarks of Nolans work. Like he did with Batman, Nolan puts the man of steel in the real world. The fantasy is gone, as is the bright colours, triumphant music and fighting for truth, justice and the American way. Instead we get dour colours, a slow, melancholy Hanz Zimmer score, suspicion and a world that is not particularly worth saving.
I think it impossible to better Reeve's take on Clark Kent/Superman (damn it again) that said, Henry Cavill has the strapping good looks of the comic book legend and the humanity to match his superheroism. And boy did he get in shape for his shirtless scenes.
Of the supporting Michael Shannon is OK as General Zod. He has definitely been better, but he is OK. I like Any Adams take on Lois Lane, even if Lois is surprisingly chill with wiping out Aliens with a blaster onboard an spaceship. Russell Crowe has a great voice for the voice overs and makes a fine Jor El. I also liked Lawrence Fishburn as Perry White.
But for me, Kevin Costner (who received great reviews) is the heart of the movie. He doesn't appear till over 20 minutes in, has only 4 scenes that run under 10 minutes yet his presence looms large, helped by the fact that his scenes are spaced out throughout the movie. Both Costner and Diane Lane (who I've always had a crush on, and still would here) are great as Clark's Earth parents, although Costner in particular deserves much more screen time.
Those that complained Superman Returns didn't have enough action, will have been happier with this one due to three major battles in the latter half of the movie.
For a movie that's all about saving Earth, there's an unaccountable amount of destruction in Man of Steel. The collateral damage caused by the battles bothered me the first time I seen it, and I was glad it was addressed in Batman V Superman.