The New Superman movie we didn't need, and now want rebooted, again.

Rating: 5/10 (13 August 2017)

I thought I would leave off this review for a few years to really see if the film holds as well as it did when I first saw it. When this movie came out I loved it; I was defending it left and right, defending the action, the acting, the directing etc., but I never took the time to watch it with a more critical eye. Man of Steel is the superman reboot as well as the first installment in what has been called the DC Extended Universe; DC's version of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It of course follows the story of Clark Kent, who as a baby was sent away before the destruction of his home planet Krypton. He soon learns of his true identity and wishes to serve as a beacon of light and hope to mankind, while at the same time defending the world from the evil Kryptonian general Zod. I'll list the things I love, cause as I said, I loved this film when it first came out. I think Henry Cavill is a very good pick for Superman, and I'll get to a few more things in a bit. For the most part I like the cast. Michael Shannon's an OK choice for Zod, Diane Lane and Kevin Costner are good picks for Ma and Pa Kent. I also think Amy Adams is a good choice for Lois Lane. And I absolutely love the main score by Hans Zimmer; haven't stopped listening to it since I first heard it three years ago. As for the negatives they're generally the same as any other critic with a negative review. The film just feels bland, not what a Superman movie should really be. The dark and gritty aesthetic worked for Nolan's Batman films for an obvious reason, but Superman isn't supposed to be dark and gritty. He's meant to be a 'Beacon of Hope who symbolizes truth, justice and the American way'. And even if in today's political culture that wouldn't really fly, Superhuman should at least inspire goodness and hope, similar to the Christopher Reeve films. I admire a new take of any comic book character, but did we really need a character who spends most of the MOVIE as a brooding A'hole? Leave Batman for that! He has his moments, and I won't act like he doesn't save people, cause he clearly does throughout the film. But that should go along with his personality and values, not brooding over the rubble of a destroyed city (spoilers). It's not that interesting seeing two indestructible characters punching each other around a city. I thought after his scene in the 'Fortress of Solitude', or whatever that spaceship with Jor-El was (definitely was NOT the fortress of solitude). I thought Superman would begin being proactive, stopping crime, ending violence. But no, just instantly thrown into fighting with other Kryptonians. Nowadays, after seeing it's sequel, Batman v Superman, I just wanted DC to have another reboot.
If they used the same cast, I'd be fine with that, but get another director, get people who know the character; people who will make a SUPERMAN movie. In the end, all I can salvage is the main theme and maybe some of the fight scenes, but that's it.