a different but effective chapter of the Superman saga

Rating: Null/10 (15 June 2013)

On the distant, ill-fated planet of Krypton a devoted scientist jettisons his newborn son across the galaxy in the desperate hope that his life will be the key to preserving the Kryptonian race. Having landed safely on Earth and been adopted by two loving parents, the boy struggles to adapt to human life while always painfully aware of the external limits of his extraordinary abilities. It's not until years later—as a man—that he begins to fully embrace his extraterrestrial heritage with the very fate of the Earth hanging in the balance. Reimagining of sorts of the iconic DC Comics character is much more serious and somber in both its tone and characterizations than previous renditions, but there's still plenty to please with fantastic visual effects, soaring action scenes, and compelling human drama. Film's unremitting climatic action sequences border on superfluous, yet remain exciting and fun to watch. Pumped-up Cavill definitely looks the part, but the real acting highlights are veterans Costner and especially Crowe as his adoptive and biological fathers. ***