This Superman is Super Sci-Fi Adventure

Rating: 10/10 (12 June 2013)

This is the Superman film I have waited so long to see. It does not conform to a traditional 'comic-book movie' and is instead a serious, epic sci-fi adventure. In this sense, it surprisingly feels less like a Nolan inspired superhero movie and more like a science fiction equivalent to Jackson's 'The Lord of the Rings'. The film is not without a handful of flaws, and it does run a bit longer than it probably needs to, but Snyder's film is a solid and heartfelt blockbuster and hopefully the first of many new Superman films to come.
Let's start with the leading man. Muscular and handsome, Cavill is by far the most physically believable Superman we have yet seen. But it is his masculine gentleness and understated kindness that works so well in his version of Clark Kent/Kal-El. His performance is notably stoic and brooding, but also very warm and human. He does well as the titular 'Man of Steel,' and the rest of the cast compliments him nicely. Shannon and Costner are specially effective in their parts, and Crowe gives considerable gravity to the character Jor-El. Amy Adams scores with her portrayal of Lois. One only wishes she had had more screen time and her relationship with Clark given a little more priority in the big picture. This film's unique take on the Lois and Clark relationship is, however, one of this story's strengths - Lois knows Clark's identity and helps him form his persona and keep his secret. This is indeed a woman Superman would trust and fall for.
The first 45 minutes of the film are well paced. After the grandiose opening sequence on Krypton, the film cuts between a wandering adult Clark and the child growing up in Kansas in Nolan's characteristic non- linear narration. After the first hour, the film occasionally slips into generic summer-action-movie territory once the villainous General Zod arrives, but the visuals are impressive enough and Cavill likable enough for it to work. And the action sequences are indeed stunning, showing- off Snyder's visual flair, if in the end there is perhaps an action set piece too many.
My bet is that sci-fi and action fans will like this movie and be impressed with its ambitious set pieces, and serious Superman fans will love that their hero has been given a serious, epic treatment. 8/10