Superman ask me once: "What this F stand for?" I answered: "It's not a F, in my world means F#CK THE CRITICS!!!

Rating: 8/10 (9 July 2013)

The "Superman" franchise had almost the same fate of the "Batman" franchise: the first two are considered unforgettable classics and one of the best films of superheroes ever made; the 3rd has a good rhythm of fun but not the maturity of the predecessors; the 4th completely ruins the whole franchise ridiculing him completely. But years later an unknown director decides to resurrect the franchise that was Bryan Singer case with "Superman Returns" and Christopher Nolan with "Batman Begins" but then the big difference: "Begins" had good critics and received the love of many fans, "Returns" had good critics but fans hated saying it was too boring. Nolan then felt pity of the poor hero, and then he asks for help from the young director Zack Snyder and David S. Goyer once again to revive the Superhero so long forgotten.
"Man of Steel" is completely different from the previous Superman movies that seemed to have a connection (even Returns), so that's why the critics didn't appreciate much, but neither was supposed to. Nolan along with Goyer does almost what they did with the "Dark Knight trilogy", put a good realism and make it almost unique, a new and fresh start to what is considered the greatest superhero of all time. Of course, it was obvious that they were going to grab the usual story of Superman that goes from his birth, to the destruction of his planet and his escape to earth and later become the great American hero, but the philosophical and realistic study that Nolan and Goyer can do to the superhero is amazing.
The film is not only the life of Clark / Kal-El (Henry Cavill) from child to the almighty man that saves people, but shows how he comes to be called a superhero. The human touch that the film gives to Clark / Kal-El is superb; we feel that he is really a human being like anyone else who begins to discover that it has powers than his search for its origins leading him to a journey across the world. Not only gives Superman a human and realistic touch but also places the superhero as a symbol (same as both made with the Batman). What for some it can be a symbol of hope that a human can reach the limits of the impossible being a total miracle, or having in mind the fact that Clark / Kal-El is not human, the message that we are not alone in world, both perspectives give the hero a religious symbolism.
But even with the film having philosophical touch; it never misses the reality by giving realistic explanations of Clark / Kal-El powers. When he was born in a totally different atmosphere of the earth, it can give a strong use of gravity (explains the power of flight and the super strength) and even the sun's energy (rays laser eye and the vision through things). And also the realistic feel of the consequences of his powers in our world, and that's where Snyder enters magnificently.
Snyder is what Superman always needed to have action, giving a grand scale to the film and to the power limits of Clark / Kal-El, especially when General Zod (Michael Shannon) the villain of the film begins its his attack on earth, also beginning a mass destruction and a superb visual combats. And that's where Snyder impresses with the direction, which in the past always used slow motion in his films, in "Man of Steel" we never have those moments proving to be a director who can adapt to changes.
Another point to be pointed out is the formidable cast that carries the film: Amy Adams great as always; Russel Crowe that everyone thought that would had a small role proved to be a strong and great Jor-El; Michael Shannon takes a ferocious and cruel performance as the powerful Zod; Henry Cavill completely convinces to be a superman, since his voice and even his posture.
"Man of Steel" even if not better than the first supermen or reach the feet's of the Dark Knight trilogy, managed to be, thanks to Snyder and Nolan, a film of Super-Heroes that many have come to expect: a nice philosophical and optimal human touch with a lush and destructive action scenes (without losing the reality). Having a serious and realistic tone but keeps a good pace of entertainment, and leaves many wishing for a powerful new franchise.