Superman...has returned ladies and gentlemen!

Rating: 9/10 (18 June 2013)

When it was announced that Zac Snyder would be helming Man of Steel, I had serious doubts. His past directed efforts, Dawn of the Dead, 300, Watchmen, range between great and terrible. Suckerpunch made its way to our screens and it's safe to say that was a complete and utter disaster of a film, critically as well as financially.
Critics all over the world have given this latest superhero offering a negative rap. None of the reviews I've seen have said it's terrible, just that it isn't the Superman they wanted to see and this, full stop, isn't a Superman film. Movie review site Rotten Tomatoes has Man of Steel at a 56% rating? WOW! Meanwhile Iron Man 3, which I thought was absolutely dreadful, holds at 78%. But regardless of the critical review, as expected, Man of Steel has taken over $120 million at the US box office, making it the highest opening in June history. But it was always going to make money; regardless of the critiques it's received.
In my opinion, Man of Steel is Snyder's best film by a mile. Man of Steel is a great film.
Henry Cavill doesn't have Christopher Reeve's presence as Superman but this isn't a bad thing, because unlike Brandon Routh, Cavill makes the character his own. Not only is he a good Superman, I believed he was Superman. And this on confirms, in my eyes, he was definitely the right man for this role.
Michael Shannon plays the villain Zod with such a devilish ease, he's a joy to watch. Switching from moments of derangement to calculating villain makes this incarnation of Zod a worthy antagonist. No comparison to Terence Stamp's Zod is needed from the fan boys, because like Cavill's Superman he also makes the character his own.
Diane Lane is a wonderful actress and offers great support as Martha Kent. Amy Adams is the weakest link in this film. Her Lois Lane is a softer characterisation against the feisty, fearless reporter we all know and love. Her damsel in distress routine I found quite annoying, and again, no comparison to Margot Kidder, I just didn't buy her as the Daily Planet's head investigative reporter. Kevin Costner as Johnathan Kent and Russell Crowe as Jo-El steal the film. The performances they deliver hold Man of Steel together and in my opinion they're the real leading men in this film. Both characters are integral to this origin story, and the wisdom they both impart helps shape the man Clark Kent/Superman will eventually become. Jor-El helping Kal-El understand his destiny and the importance of fulfilling it. And Pa Kent who understands the power his son Clark possesses, but tells him he has a lot to learn and shouldn't rush the inevitable part he has to play in this world.
The other actors in this film, Laurence Fishburne, Christopher Meloni, Michael Kelly, and Richard Schiff hold their own and play their roles accordingly.
Man of Steel never gets boring. The set pieces are unbelievably good, including the fight scenes between Superman, Zod and the Kryptonian acolytes. Probably the best fight scenes I've seen in any superhero film. Snyder's style works with action on display and the visual effects, CGI in aplenty, looks steady, seamless and consistent in every scene. Good to see that this Superman has been given unlimited power to tear things up, fly at supersonic speed and licence to destroy his enemies. Also it was good to see Krypton as a world instead of the giant igloo we know from the 1978 movie.
Man of Steel's strength lies in it's storytelling. Instead of seeing Clark's entire upbringing in Smallville, we get flashbacks of his experiences as a teenager. Dealing with the neighbourhood bullies, saving kids on a school bus and watching one of his parents die. Then after, wondering the world as like a nomad searching for answers. Goyer's writing really comes to life in these flashback moments. Not only does Man of Steel give us a reminder (for those who still don't know) of Clark Kent's/Superman's childhood upbringing, but the strong messages of love, family and purpose in those past scenes really speak out in this film.
Overall, Snyder's Man of Steel may not be perfect, but it's a bold, adventurous, solid interpretation of the world's most famous superhero.
Superman is back ladies and gentleman. Bring on a sequel.
Go see this now!