One half of the World's Finest betters all of Earth's Mightiest Heroes

Rating: 10/10 (15 June 2013)

First and foremost I will say that this is not your classic Superman. It is a new fresh take on the character. It is fresh and bold and from the onset you must jettison most of your preconceived notions about the Last Son of Krypton. This is Kal El as we have never seen him before.
This film takes our hero and drops him into a world where being different and powerful doesn't make you idolized and worshiped but makes you tragic and alone. Clarke's youth isn't shown as a nice slice of sweet apple pie Americana but as time of uncertainty and anguish about who he really is and why he is here. And that is where some of the films major strength's come to the forefront. It's a film that deals with fear. Whether it's Pa Kent's growing apprehension about his son's growing powers or Ma Kent's worry that someone somewhere is going to take her son away. But also hope. Jor El's belief that Kal will save his people and that he will grow become something more and save the human race.
This central themes are helped by some stellar acting. Cavill embodies Clarke's growing acceptance of his destiny wide both wide eyed wonder and an aching vulnerability. Costner excels in his role as Pa Kent playing against tradition with his reluctance to exposing his son to the world. Also playing against tradition is Crowe's Jor El now a more hands on and determined figure than previously portrayed. Adam's brings Louis to life and in my opinion finally shows the character as being a capable strong rather than a damsel in distress. And every hero needs a strong villain and that's what we are given Shannon's Zod is worthy adversary for the Man of Steel. His single minded determination to protect his peoples heritage makes him both sympathetic and threatening. The stand out is Antje Traue's Faora who's beauty is matched by her sheer brutality in combat.
And with that we come to the action. Some reviews have been critical of the amount of action in the movie. Which can be a valid point but here the carnage is shot so beautifully and staged so perfectly it's just a joy to watch. Snyder has finally captured on screen the visual impact of two gods fighting for the fate of the world. Punches are thrown to thunderous booms as entire stretches of the city are laid waste in gloriously executed mayhem. Finally we see Superman's power in a way that we have never seen before.
Despite statements to the contrary there is humor in the film but spread out unlike other superhero films which incorporate the comedy element more overtly. But these moments do not, unlike the rapid fire quips of the Avengers, undermine the tension of the battles or the films central conflict.
There are flaws in the film. The flashback structure of the beginning of the film can be jarring at times and one action sequence in particular could have been toned back in my opinion but these are minor quibbles that don't take too much away from the overall quality of the film.
This is the Superman we have been waiting for and the creative team behind it has delivered in spades.
Superman on his own has in my opinion defeated the Avengers juggernaut in one fell swoop.
In my opinion one half of the World's Finest betters all of Earth's Mightiest Heroes.
Go out and decide for yourself.