Over the Top & Missing A Realistic Human Element

Rating: 2/10 (16 June 2013)

I wanted to finally enjoy something Superman related and I thought that this movie might finally be it. Instead of getting the simple heart felt, love story, coming to terms with who he is story, this movie misses on all connections. It's an over the top action movie, that just did not connect with me on any level. It might have well had been an alien invasion movie as opposed to a Superman movie. The movie is full of explosions and building upon building being destroyed. If you're looking for an action movie full of mindless explosions and destruction that's what you'll get.
I wasn't a fan of Hollywood's last Superman incarnation at all. I still managed to think it was better than this movie. At least that one tried to give you a descent story that was somewhat Superman related. This movie is nothing but a Hollywood buck. If word of mouth doesn't get out about this movie and kill it's second weekend, I feel sorry for those you actually enjoy this action fluff. I'm not trying to just be negative but this movie flat out pi$$ed me off.
I can compare the difference in what I thought this movie should be and what it was by comparing it to the differences between Die Hard and Live Free or Die Hard. Die Hard is one of the most iconic "man" action movies out there. It had great action but was still a simple story of a man struggles and barley overcoming the near impossible. Live Free or Die Hard however was so over the top and unrealistic, it lost the simple realistic human elements that made the action from the original acceptable while also relating us John McClain's struggles.
The movie may just have not been for me. To make your own judgment I'll compare the movie once again. To me it seemed similar to the recent Thor movie with about 6 times the action. Like Thor, Man of Steel didn't have much depth. When it did try to connect it was so unrealistic and cheesy it was too much. The only realistic and relateable parts of the movie that had any depth was Kevin Costner playing Clark Kent's father. I know Costner was almost shunned by Hollywood because of a couple of big budget flops and because he's getting older but the best moments in the movie are with Costner and a young Clark. Jonathan Kent is definitely the only character I had an emotional attachment to.
There's really no actor I thought did bad in this. Costner stood out most and sadly Christopher Meloni had the next best performance in his very limited role. Richard Schiif (also a minimal role) was also good. While the other actors did fine I guess, I just really didn't connect with them. This movies downfall was the need for the ridiculous amount of action to story ratio.
3 of 10 - Probably a 4 off quality but for now it's frustrated me so much it gets a 3. I've always thought director Zack Snyder's '300' was overrated and slightly above average at best. If people go crazy for this Superman adaption then I'm just lost as to why people enjoy what the watch.