A Shallow Eye-Candy

Rating: 7/10 (31 January 2014)

Let's make it clear - I like Zack Snyder and I like DC Comics, though my favorite imprint is still Vertigo and my favorite series is Neil Gaiman's Sandman. And naturally I'm familiar with the Superman storyline arcs included in Man of Steel. Namely - "All-Star Superman", "Superman: Man of Steel", "Superman: Birthright", also a plot point from Superman vol.2 #22 "The Price".
I do consider Superman a dumb and overpowered hero. And making a good film about him is really a challenge - especially finding a good adversary for him. So, basically, Snyder did all he could, and visually the film is stunning. Yet, I find the movie wasn't serious enough. Depiction of Superman's early life made him much more humane than his previous incarnations - to the point when it was said "Zack Snyder proved Superman can be a pussy too". It's the common modern look on superhero reboots - much more realistic and earthly. Still, I miss the charming and self-confident acting Christopher Reeve used to show in the 1978 original.
Mass destruction in the movie and the ending, if done properly, wouldn't allow the film to get a PG-13 rating - and many directors are afraid of getting the dreaded R. Still, if you've read "The Price", you'd know the crisis the same action drives Superman into, while the ending of the movie is treated too lightly.
There is no emotional depth past Superman's childhood in the movie. Lois Lane's character, though not the stereotypical damsel in distress as in previous treatments, is underdeveloped. The ending - unconvincing. Visuals - stunning.
And yes, at last the man learned to wear his undies properly.