The critics are mostly wrong. This movie is Superman's rebirth as DC's icon. 10/10 and well deserved.

Rating: 10/10 (15 June 2013)

*SOME SPOILERS WITHIN, PROCEED WITH CAUTION*
Man of Steel is the by far the best Superman Movie made in a long time. As far as I can tell, it rivals the two Richard Donner movies. What annoys me most is how the same people who were clamoring for more action in the movie are hammering down on it for the same reason. I call all the dissident critics desperate and butt-hurt Marvel Fanboys. The people who walk into the theater with an open mind and optimism will see it for what Man of Steel truly is - the successful Superman reboot that will lead to the unification of the JLA, just like Iron Man for the MCU's Avengers. In other words, I loved it, believe it to be a curbstomp to all other Superman movies apart maybe from Donner's original 2, and you should give it a chance too. Here is why:
The acting from the immensely talented cast is phenomenal; Crowe's Jor- El the best of them all. The wisdom of a scientist who knows his planet is doomed and suddenly has the foresight to save his species through his son is almost more human than we ourselves.
Cavill's Kal-El is a million times better than Routh's (That's saying something - the only thing holding back Routh' excellent performance in Superman Returns was the lack of action in the script and Singer's desire to continue Donner's sacred legacy), with a Superman whom you can see is not invulnerable. Kal-El's indecision, uncertainty, and inner conflict is apparent, and yes, there IS character development. The overcoming of that wandering inner conflict is when *SPOILER ALERT* Kal- El chooses to save the Humans over Zod's vision of a New Krypton in the touching last 20 minutes of the movie. And yes, Kal-El is not nearly as dark as Nolan's Bruce Wayne. At the beginning, you can tell he is a no- BS, serious man trying to hide from his power, constantly holding back. But then you can see him becoming that symbol of the House of El's Hope for humanity after *SPOILER ALERT* he fights Faora-Ul and Jax-Ur (the similarities from the fight between Jax-Ur, Mala-Ik, and Kal-El from Superman - The Animated Series seem to point to out me that quiet, calculating, brutal Jax-Ur is that other Black-clad Kryptonian in Superman's first skirmish against Zod's Forces) he begins to take on a bit more of that wisecracking, smiling, Iconic Superman that we all know and love. Not too much, but enough that I noticed it.
General Zod is a great villain for the movie not only because he is close to home for Superman, but because in his eyes, he's doing good. He wants to rebuild Krypton, and he needs Superman to do that for him. Due to reasons which I will not disclose (this is Premiere night, after all), Jor-El's son does not agree, and they fight. Zod for his duty to Krypton's people (not many are left by then), and Kal-El to protect the humans from becoming (possible) Collateral Damage. I felt a nascent sympathy for Zod, and at times slight annoyance against Kal (Gone now, thankfully), because Zod was only doing what his oath to the Kryptonian people required him to do. And then, the IRON in Shannon's voice propelled him way past what Terrence Stamp achieved with pretty much a European Guido (not sure what those are called anymore) scripting.
Lois Lane is the only piece that didn't quite fit, but Amy Adams nailed it nonetheless, as a reporter who isn't afraid to do what is necessary and isn't afraid to be at the nucleus of danger, just to get a good story. How and why she managed to figure out who the mysterious "Superman" who saved her was, I still don't know for sure, but she was just as good as Kate Bosworth was in the role come 2006 (I don't understand why many people hated her for it back then; she nailed it as good as Kevin Spacey did as Lex). The lack of recognisable chemistry between her and Superman is the only thing I will let the Critics get away with.
Faora remains my personal Fave throughout though. Antje Traue will benefit so much from this movie, I can't even say. The cold, cruel and blindly loyal Faora-Ul was a much more convincing villain than Zod was. Although she was only following orders, she always seemed to take the extra step, and enjoyed ever second of it.
All other actors were perfect in their roles (Laurence Fishburne especially - kudos to him)
Here comes my only complaint - where were the Lex and Bruce Wayne whose names were all over the movie in the easter eggs I found? Yes, this is only the first movie, but I'd at least liked to have seen them mentioned in a passing dialogue (like in Batman Forever, as bad as the movie was).
To wrap up, this movie exceeded all my expectations and firmly deserves at least a 7/10 or above on this website. Like I said, those who rate it low are Marvel Fanboys who can't bear to see a stable competitor come to life.