Doesn't Receive the Respect it Deserves

Rating: 10/10 (14 June 2013)

HUGE SPOILERS BELOW
HUGE HUGE HUGE HUGE HUGE SPOILERS!!!!!
Everyone needs to understand one key element when critiquing this film, you need to realize that "different" is sometimes the best thing for a dynamic character like Superman. You cannot go into this movie having any hopes or expectations for the story to be told like the comics and previous movies. Zack Snyder has mentioned on numerous occasions that he wanted to create a story that develops Superman's character in the modern world and in a way that the whole world can relate to. This first movie chose Zod as the villain because Groyer, Nolan and Snyder needed to establish not only an external conflict for Superman to fight but an internal conflict of who Superman wants to be. Should he choose his genetic heritage and take the values of Krypton? Or should he mask in the values Jonathon and Martha raised him in HERE on Earth as HUMANS. The final climax where he decides to end Zod's life was a symbol for his true devotion to Earth and its people. Even I was a bit hesitant to accept the fact that Superman of all heroes decided to turn to the dark side. But I realized he's not going to the dark side. He's not about to go on a killing spree and he won't go ending Lex Luthor's life in the near future. He chose to end Zod's life because Zod represented the last bit of Krypton that needed to be wiped clean or else innocent human lives would be at risk. He chose to embed himself with human heritage rather than savor the last bit of Krypton and this is why Superman is the Earth's mightiest protector. In a modern view of things, Snyder has developed a story that we can all relate to and understand. In the end, what other alternatives did Zod leave Superman? He had no way of trapping Zod, he could not send him away anywhere, and Zod even stated the only way this will end is if Superman dies or if Zod dies. This was created similarly to how the film, Batman Begins, was developed. In Batman Begins, Batman had to face his ultimate fears before attacking the crime wave of Gotham and that's why Scarecrow was the only villain for that particular movie. Zod was a soldier that would never stop and never let go of Krypton. His last words after Superman begged him to stop were "Never." I know it's unsettling to believe that Superman could break his tradition; but that's exactly what this movie was meant to do... break tradition. It's insignificant if they threw away his red underwear because what really matters is Zack Snyder and his team have created a legendary take on Superman that has never been done before. So take any hopes of previous Superman ideas and try and see this movie with the clarity it deserves. Every scene within this movie describes what Superman truly represents, and that is his true devotion to Earth. Despite the fact that he's an alien, and despite the fact that he's "Super", he's still just a man.