Very good...but not great

Rating: 7/10 (16 June 2013)

As a graduate of the Christopher Reeve era, I had a lot of nostalgia to get over before I could allow myself to love another Superman series. If anyone can though, Christopher Nolan can; so I was positive about Henry Cavill's chances of starting a new chapter in the Superman catalogue. Nolan delivers all the polish and incredible visuals that we've come to expect from him; and also, the characters have resonance and depth as always. Cavill is solid and believable as the tortured hero. I'm sure his next outing will allow him to show his leading man status to the full. For what it is, Man of Steel is good and well worth your hard-earned money, but somehow I can't help thinking that this particular superhero does not fit the 'Dark Knight' treatment. I certainly don't want a reboot of the overly moralistic and saccharine sweet Superman series, but where is the fun Mr. Nolan...? Purely for the addition of laughs, I rate The Avengers Assemble and the Iron Man films ahead of Man of Steel, but it's still a great piece of cinema...!,