Epic Reboot

Rating: 9/10 (27 June 2013)

Zack Snyder does for Superman what Christopher Nolan accomplished with Batman Begins. It's a huge overall and reboot that once more brings a very original slant on what the character is all about.
Henry Cavill is absolutely perfect in the role of Kal-El/Clark Kent. He commands the screen just as fully as Christopher Reeve originally did. But, here there's much more going on in both ultimate CGI effects and dark story made palatable. This is a deadly struggle of good vs. evil and it isn't ever far from the surface as action permeates for the most of two-hours plus which makes up this movie.
One has to simply enjoy going back to the beginning where Kal's parents sacrificed their lives to ensure his. It hearkens back to both the first comic as well as the first TV episode which fans will remember. It is important and it gets the full impact here with glorious CGI effects. Things move fast from the start and there is only, thankfully, topical treatment of the Kal as a youth through teen years. Don't get me wrong, these have importance, but they're walked through straightforwardly and not dwelled on. There's simply too much action to get to and fans have explored this ad infinitum in the, largely, excellent Smallville TV-series. As already mentioned this is all about the life and death struggle between Zod, protector of Kryton, and Kal-El.
This may not qualify as an Epic when thought of in classic terms (i.e. Gone With The Wind / Citizen Kane), but in it's realm it absolutely is without further discussion. It achieves what it aims for, it stays true to it's roots while embracing the futuristic story as imagined with current technology, and for all of that it still embraces humanity which is the central theme beneath everything. This production has spared nothing in lighting, cinematography, and content. Even the supporting cast is stellar. Kudos to the casting because Michael Shannon, Amy Adams, Laurence Fishburne, Russell Crowe, Kevin Costner, and Diane Lane transcend their A-List (which may not include Shannon, but he's A-List here) baggage and insert themselves totally creating a wholly rich support structure.
Here's the deal. If you're not already a fan, or lapsed one...Stay away. If, on the other hand, you have longed for Superman once more restored to a level befitting the granddaddy of all comic strip heroes come to life - this is your movie! Highly recommended if you fit the bill.