Man of Steel. A darker, grittier Superman for the modern age.

Rating: 8/10 (14 June 2013)

So far, many of the reviews for 'Man of Steel' have been very mixed, ranging from those who loved every second, to those who walked out of the cinema in disgust.
I believe 'Man of Steel' has delivered the Superman that we've been waiting for.
While the Christopher Reeve films that we all know, are and always will be, classics, they don't fit into a world that has been through years of war, terrorism, economic decline and general hardship. Yes, there are many out there who, for those reasons alone, would prefer to see a light hearted take on Superman with un-wavering morals, but 'Man of Steel' is designed to throw us into a scenario where we can connect with Superman.
Kal-El, the last true son of Krypton, sent to Earth to escape a dying planet by his father, magnificently portrayed by Russel Crowe. On Earth he is raised by his adoptive human parents, where he develops his super powers. A terrifying experience for a young child, and an alienating one for an adolescent. Eventually the young boy grows up, driven to do good ever before learning of his true heritage.
However, Kal-El, Clark Kent, HAS been raised on Earth, surrounded by other humans, and as the film points out several times, he is as much a son of Earth as Krypton. So when General Zod and his followers locate Superman on Earth, launching an attack, the man of steel isn't going to be the Superman of the 70s. This is a man prone to all the normal human emotions, including anger.
Much of the film is set over a short period of time, less than 24 hours. The action is intense and fast paced, but so is combat in real life. That's what we should keep in mind here, realism. This new Superman gives us a very real hero, not a being that is so impossibly powerful that emotions never factor into the challenge of saving the world, but someone who knows what has to be done and how to do it.
Superman is violent, but justified. He strives to do the right thing, but is aware that the right thing requires more than just good morals.
The final fight between Superman and Zod climaxes in a shocker which will leave you stunned. Again, this is not the Superman we knew. It is an emotionally charged scene when the gravity of the situation is realised by the viewer.
Does it all work? Well, 'Man of Steel' is not a perfect film. It doesn't try to be. It's an introduction to a brand new Superman, not the slightly camp version we knew, but a Superman for the present day and age, where battles are violent and fast paced and people die but remains a true hero story where good can triumph over evil when good people put aside their fears and aren't afraid to get their hands a little dirty. People expecting to see the Superman they grew up with, will be disappointed. People wanting to see a Superman who can and will fight and want to see some realistic action while being inspired will love every minute.
Henry Cavill is excellent in his first major role, taking on one of the most well known and respected characters in movie and comic history and is supported by outstanding performances from Kevin Costner and Russel Crowe.
See this movie!