Ok, I have to say I completely enjoyed the movie. The acting was spot on by everyone. Going in, I was worried that the shadow of the initial movies would hang over this one - I was wrong. Coming out of the movie I realized that I never even thought about comparing the two movies even once.
The performance by Cavill was brilliant. He owns the role completely. Shannon was not as good as expected. Costner and Crowe were both great. Amy Adams and Antje Trauea were both good.
All the criticisms I have heard of lack of character development for everyone apart from Superman do apply, but everyone is forgetting that
the movie takes place in a timespan of 48 hours total for the main parties involved. And in this timeframe every single character almost gets a character moment. Perry White would rather stay and die than leave people behind. Steve Lombard is a perennial flirt, Lois is spunky, Colonel Hardy is for the greater good. Only Jenny doesn't get any defining trait.
The audience I watched it with applauded 5 times (apart from the ending which got the most applause especially when
Clark Kent is introduced
The 5 instances were
1. The truck
2. First flight
3. Gravity beam smash
4. The smallville fight
and most surprisingly
5. when Superman killed Zod.
The final sequence of fights is just brilliantly done. They nailed Superman's flight.
The audience I watched it with loved it, could hear the talk in the lobby post the movie. Don't know if this will translate to all audiences everywhere, but this truly is a great beginning for a new Superman.
EDIT: The most important thing - the movie passes the Bechdel test. There are 2 specific conversations (both one lines, but we are talking letter of the law, not spirit of the law)
1. When Jenny tells Lois - "You have got to see this" regarding the news playing on the TV
2. When Faora tells Lois - "This is a breathing apparatus, it will help you adapt to the atmosphere on our ship". Wouldn't be surprised if this was just added to pass the test actually
The Smallville fight, Metropolis fight, and the final scene got the most applause in my theater and that's saying something because they were pretty much into everything.
Their upbringings also play a big if you look at it from the context of Man of Steel. 1) Superman - The Kryptonian who was raised with good morals and character by Pa and Ma Kent vs 2) General Zod - The Kryptonian who was predestined to a world of violence as a militant. It certainly does make you wonder...what would Kal-El be without his Yellow Sun powers in Krypton?
It also gives rise to the theme of free will vs. destiny.
Anyone else want to take an stab at guessing on why the reaction to this film is so divided?lol I mean from the looks of it, an majority of the people from the general audience have enjoyed the film, and there have been an good amount of people just gushing over it, whereas we have just as much seeing the film in the exact opposite.
Could someone give me a time stamp for when zod gives his telecast. Like how far into the movie.
And I'm very disappointed to hear that Shannon didn't give it his all or wow. I'm sure ill still enjoy him but the guy blows me away when he is firing on all cylinders and I really wanted to see that.
Anyone else want to take an stab at guessing on why the reaction to this film is so divided?lol I mean from the looks of it, an majority of the people from the general audience have enjoyed the film, and there have been an good amount of people just gushing over it, whereas we have just as much seeing the film in the exact opposite.
Without seeing the film yet, I assume the film failed to live to expectations set by how they advertised the film (outside of the action) and what was said in interviews and to the press.
Anyone else want to take an stab at guessing on why the reaction to this film is so divided?lol I mean from the looks of it, an majority of the people from the general audience have enjoyed the film, and there have been an good amount of people just gushing over it, whereas we have just as much seeing the film in the exact opposite.
I think one reason is because expectations are so high. Many seem to have wanted a deep, character driven "masterpiece" like TDK, but what they got was an entertaining popcorn flick. Perhaps some are being overly harsh and overstating the shortcomings? And perhaps others just enjoy it for what it is? I have not seen MOS but this is the impression I am getting.
Should have trusted your judgment over the RT score. Sorry for that. t:
But seriously guys, you won't be disappointed. I have not read all reviews, so I can't actually speak to what the critics are finding bad in this movie, especially seeing how everyone gushed over Avengers.
The movie was an amazing ride. It builds and builds and builds for the first 100 odd minutes with a few action scenes thrown in to get us ready for the final 30 minutes where the movie just finds another gear.
To paraphrase (and change) a Roger Ebert quote: I loved this movie. Loved, loved, loved, loved, loved. Loved it.
In regards to the issue of Superman's relateability, I am reminded of a classic post that has been quoted several times on this topic. I don't recall the original author but the basic idea is that Superman is in essence an adult fantasy whereas Batman, Spider-Man and other angst driven characters are more relateable to teenagers. Despite the outsider issues that come with being an alien and adopted, Superman is emotionally and in terms of upbringing an average person.
He is a good hearted person who was raised by a supportive family who is simply trying to share his talents with the world and live up to his potential. The woman he pines after is a co-worker who he is attracted to because of her personality and the fact that she shares the same core values, not because she is the hottest girl in school and beyond his reach or some femme fatale. Maybe that is the problem, Superman is so relateable that he is boring.
Psychologically speaking, characters like Batman and Iron Man are far more abnormal and fantastically. Despite being a huge Batman fan first and foremost in my teenage and university years, I find that now as an adult in the real world I relate to Superman more. I identify with the character more.
Furthermore, as a generally good person, I find Superman' generousity and goodness a compelling "flaw". I mean who hasn't been taken advantage of when trying to do the right thing but continue to do it anyways just because you know it is what you should do.
Should have trusted your judgment over the RT score. Sorry for that. t:
But seriously guys, you won't be disappointed. I have not read all reviews, so I can't actually speak to what the critics are finding bad in this movie, especially seeing how everyone gushed over Avengers.
The movie was an amazing ride. It builds and builds and builds for the first 100 odd minutes with a few action scenes thrown in to get us ready for the final 30 minutes where the movie just finds another gear.
To paraphrase (and change) a Roger Ebert quote: I loved this movie. Loved, loved, loved, loved, loved. Loved it.
Anyone else want to take an stab at guessing on why the reaction to this film is so divided?lol I mean from the looks of it, an majority of the people from the general audience have enjoyed the film, and there have been an good amount of people just gushing over it, whereas we have just as much seeing the film in the exact opposite.
It's kind of hard to say. Snyder never gets any love from Rotten Tomatoes. I personally liked 300 and thought Watchmen was great, but both films were rated pretty low on that site.
Anyone else want to take an stab at guessing on why the reaction to this film is so divided?lol I mean from the looks of it, an majority of the people from the general audience have enjoyed the film, and there have been an good amount of people just gushing over it, whereas we have just as much seeing the film in the exact opposite.
1) Some aren't superhero/CBM fans like us, so naturally they hate it. Especially when one posted a weird article about how the public is "done" with CBMs, pretty much imposing their hate on everyone.
2) Legitimate concerns such as storytelling, plot, character arcs especially when you have to realize that we are working with Snyder and Goyer, who quite frankly are hit-and-miss at their best.
3) Bipolar nature of critics: bash SR for lack of action/heart, bash MoS for too much plot/action.
Anyone else want to take an stab at guessing on why the reaction to this film is so divided?lol I mean from the looks of it, an majority of the people from the general audience have enjoyed the film, and there have been an good amount of people just gushing over it, whereas we have just as much seeing the film in the exact opposite.
I cannot explain where this "Superman is Emo" or "Superman is brooding" talk is coming from either. We are never shown either Superman or Clark brooding and saying "Woe is me." Hell, he genuinely is shown having fun with his powers.
I cannot explain where this "Superman is Emo" or "Superman is brooding" talk is coming from either. We are never shown either Superman or Clark brooding and saying "Woe is me." Hell, he genuinely is shown having fun with his powers.
That's the thing, in terms of relatability to our modern times and problems Superman could very well be used an an allegory for America. This country was founded on virtuous principles, ones that many feel have been ignored for selfish reasons. Do we still get brownie points because we were founded one way but now act another? We've become the strongest world power physically, but are we using it for good? I find it very akin to Superman, and feel it could very much work well in a film if that relativity is explored.
Excellent point. I've said something similar for a while. People forget that Superman: The Movie also hit during a similarly dark and cynical time in American history (the aftermath of Vietnam, Watergate, Stagflation). If you really think about it, even STM treated Superman as an archaic character, a throwback to the greatest generation and Rockwell's America. Superman acted a reminder of virtues lost. As a result, if Man of Steel was well written and well made, I predicted in the past that it could have been another zeitgeist movie like The Dark Knight that it hit at just the right moment to resonate with audiences wanting to believe in hope again. Sadly, the film's critical response seems to indicate otherwise.
Nope. The tv spots and trailers are cut in a way that they show next to nothing in context. The team behind the trailers and tv spots deserves an award - they have shown a lot while showing next to nothing.
Most of the "BIG" moments are completely preserved. Can't wait to watch this again tomorrow at midnight.
Nope. The tv spots and trailers are cut in a way that they show next to nothing in context. The team behind the trailers and tv spots deserves an award - they have shown a lot while showing next to nothing.
Most of the "BIG" moments are completely preserved. Can't wait to watch this again tomorrow at midnight.
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
t:
