Fresh New Take on Our Oldest Superhero

Rating: 9/10 (25 June 2013)

I was a teenager when the Christopher Reeve's Superman came out and was piqued by the slogan, "you believe a man can fly." I was not disappointed and consider it to be one of my favorite movie going experiences. I wasn't the only one who felt that way as people stood up and clapped at the end. In many ways, that movie was a reflection of its times as it was the first superhero blockbuster and should be credited with launching the superhero genre that we take for granted today. I liked the opening graphics, the chemistry between the main actors (particularly Reeves and Kidder), and one of the best scores I have ever heard. Richard Donner did an outstanding job and we were all cheated of his vision when he got fired during filming. I particularly liked Reeve's take on Clark Kent. That movie had a comedic tint, family entertainment feel, and a lightheartedness that worked. Unfortunately, that movie is dated and the special effects do not hold up to today's standards.
That being said, I think the Man of Steel is as good or better. The acting and directing are solid, and the special effects are amazing. I particularly like the extraterrestrial angle of this movie and the way the main character was developed—it's a fresh and much needed origin story of our oldest superhero. I like it for the very same reason that its detractors don't like it —its grittiness. This is not your daddy's Superman and will no doubt not work for many. We finally get to witness the awesome power of a being with very few vulnerabilities and is among the last of his species. Despite the hate that surrounds this movie, MOS is currently one of the top 5 rated IMDb superhero movies of all time and will end up being a box office juggernaut.
Henry Cavill and the villains deliver. My only complaint is that the lovely Amy Adams is underutilized and Zimmer's, normally reliable score, is underwhelming. Goyer's screenplay, Snyder's direction, and Cavill's acting are the big winners here.