Something to pass the time, but definitely not the best Superman movie ever made (that'll be Superman II)

Rating: 5/10 (19 October 2013)

I've given this movie a 5. I liked the acting by the more experienced members of the cast, Russel Crowe, Diane Lane and Kevin Costner. They added a lot to the whole and helped keep it just above par. I liked Henry Cavill as Superman. I hope they continue with him, but with a better script next time. The dialogues were mostly good, but there were quite a few plot holes. You know, the moments during a movie where your brain is telling you that what you are seeing is just not logical. Examples? The fact that Superman didn't help his dad in the tornado. He could just have covered him in the car. The fact that multiple people saw Superman unhurt by fire on the oil rig and then holding the whole thing so that it didn't fall on the helicopter. Same goes for him saving everyone on the bus when he was a kid. His identity surely should have been exposed far earlier. There are more. You'll find them.
I've never read the comic by the way. All I know about Superman is from the movies of the 70's-80's and particularly Superman II. It might be that I was just a child back then, with a rampant imagination, but Superman II had feeling, it had character. Zod and his two henchmen (well one was a henchwoman) in Superman II were convincingly despicable. As a child I hated them for being such bullies and I felt utter joy when Superman tricked them in the end (and I particularly liked when he broke Zod's hand, and the pain on his face, before sending him to his icy prison). I understand Man of Steel is a reboot, but it also appears to be a remake of Superman II. Zod did not convince me in this one. The henchwoman was a bit better, but still, their motives were not convincing (and definitely not canon from what I gather). Also, despite not ever reading the comic, I know that only Kryptonite can affect Superman. A change in the atmosphere can't. I also didn't like the excessive and often pointless use of CGI. Again, Superman II, with 80s's technology did this better. Finally, Superman breaking Zod's neck? That's a no no. He doesn't do these things. At least the Superman I know.