The thing about "the Donnerverse smile" is that it didn't originate there, nor was it last seen there. The reassuring smile is a superman thing, not a Donner thing.
The smile isn't the only thing missing, either. There's a whole subset of classic superman qualities that are being left out of this iteration and while I was on board initially (mainly because I assumed we were moving towards a more classical version), I'm not so complacent this time.
Supes tends to be more talkative in a lot of comics. But I'm sure there are ones where he isn't. So, I guess either way, Snyder/Terrio/Cavill could claim this version is based on the comics. I'd prefer something in the middle to be their aim. I don't want him to be a wordy, old windbag that just spouts self-important speeches at every turn, but I don't want a mute who's few lines are often those of defeat ("can't stay good, didn't see it because I wasn't looking," etc.). I'd like to see him have an easy charm, confidence, and a willingness to interact with others, which would display his joy at being superman despite its challenges. And of course, when these challenges arise, he would show other emotions accordingly.
That said, I don't hate everything they did and I can respect creative license enough to recognize that this version of superman is as valid (and perhaps even source material-based) as any other. I would just prefer something different and have surmised that a decent chuck of the audience might respond better to a more classical version as well.
