Don't go in expecting a Superman movie...

Rating: Null/10 (16 June 2013)

As a huge fan of Superman since I was little, I was excited for another Superman film. The last incarnation was not as bad as its reputation suggests. If 2006's SUPERMAN RETURNS had more action, it would have clicked more with audiences. But that's just my opinion. Bottom line... it had the feel of a Superman movie. Everything about the character was done right.
Unfortunately, it didn't make as much as WB and DC had hoped, and as a result, the franchise was stalled for another seven years. Since reboots are clearly the thing nowadays (which is a whole other debate, for better or worse), it only seemed natural that Superman get rebooted and some new creative blood get pumped into this iconic character. Warner Brothers decided to turn to Christopher Nolan for creative guidance on how to present a Superman who would click audiences. He rejuvenated the Batman franchise, so perhaps he could work as a fantastic "creative consultant" for 'ol Supes, right? Nolan brought a gritty realism to Batman, so perhaps he could do the same with Superman. It was wise move, but with realism, comes a darker side to the character. And like it or not, Superman is not a dark character. Batman? Sure. The "dark side" works. But Superman should not be presented in this darker light.
The film opens on Krypton for yet another origin story on Superman's home planet. This is a version of Krypton that has never been seen. Lasers, flying dragons, bizarre animals, etc. are present in this other world. We all know what happens to Krypton, as well as young Kalel's fate. The film then jumps around bouncing from the present day to more of his origin.
The scenes with young Clark Ken / Kalel are quite well-done. And to his credit, Henry Cavill makes a great Clark Kent / Superman. But in the end, the film is hampered down by its attempts to be dark and realistic. With this realism comes these constant attempts to remind us that Superman is an alien. The film comes off more as a Sci-Fi film, rather than a superhero movie.
I won't go into the ending and seemingly endless fight scenes, although those have already been discussed numerous times. All I'll say is that they're reminiscent of Michael Bay and TRANSFORMERS. A lot of destruction (which Superman doesn't do a great job of stopping by the way; again, NOT Superman), and not much else.
On its own, as a Science-Fiction story, this might have worked. But as a Superman film, it just doesn't gel and leave you with that "wow" factor that the previous films did. The name "Superman" isn't even spoken until the very end, and that's one time... Almost as if producers are embarrassed of the character and name.