An enjoyable summer blockbuster.

Rating: 7/10 (10 July 2013)

When I heard that Zack Snyder was going to be directing the next Superman movie, with Christopher Nolan as a producer, I was reasonably excited. I was expecting an instant classic. What I got did not disappoint, but this movie did need work.
To start off with, the script probably needed to be looked over again. There seemed to be a few superfluous characters, like Lois Lane. She really did not need to be in this movie. There could have just been a little nod to her character (like the appearance of the LexCorp logo), which would have been a good basis for future sequels. I enjoyed Amy Adams' performance, but she could have been written out almost entirely.
The action was well done, but it was a bit shaky at times. Combine that with the 3D and the IMAX screen I was watching it on, and it does become a bit overwhelming. I probably won't have this problem when it's released on DVD/Blu-Ray, but it seems as though the filmmakers were really banking on the audience seeing it in either 3D or IMAX (or both).
What I did enjoy were Michael Shannon, Russell Crowe and Kevin Costner. All three of these men stole the show and made "Man of Steel" worth the price of admission. The cinematography was beautiful and the music by Hans Zimmer was spectacular. The special effects were well done and there definitely was a good amount of character development with this young Superman. The film also left enough room for the character to grow with possible future installments.