This is a not-so-subtle re-imaging of Kal-El for a new generation. An obvious effort to make him popular again with the GA and the GP.
Long overdue. DC/WB should have done this in 2006 and even earlier.
It really is long overdue, and I've noticed something interesting. All of the DC characters' movies so far have always involved continuing with the old legacy in spite of the fact that they were either bastardized, inaccurate, or just flatout box office failure. You see this in the Batman films and it broke the cycle when Nolan took over the trilogy and revitalized the character's legacy.
You can also see this in Superman's film legacy where I and II were classics among the fans, and then you see III and IV being flops, and then Returns...which did nothing to re-imagine Kal-El and quite frankly existed only for nostalgic value. It's about damn time that we get a Kal-El that didn't have to depend so heavily on past films.
The costume change I dis-liked at first. Now I love it. The suit looks "cool" - better than the Spidey suit or the Cap suit and others. They pulled it off.
I have to agree, when I first saw the suit, the colours were severely underwhelming until I saw the trailers. That's when I thought "damn, it's actually a beautiful suit." The simplicity, stylistics, and the beauty of the suit is what ultimately won me over.
The 'S is for hope. Focus off Superman and onto the man.
Not necessarily, the fact that S means hope is focusing in-depth on Superman's Kryptonian genealogy, or in this case, the House of El. Plus you gotta like that Superman didn't just herpderp an S so that he can call himself Superman.
No mention of Superman in the film I guess. If it gets a sequel I wonder if they will continue with that.
You do know that at the end of Trailer 3, Lois attempts to create a name for Kal-El upon seeing his S, she tries to say "Super..." but is interrupted by feedback. Moreover, Snyder said that Superman as a name exists in his film. Obvious sign that he's going to be recognized as Superman.
The spit-curl is gone and apparently that appeals to non-fans.
The spit-curl isn't going to make or break a character, fine by me if WB-DC/Snyder/etc. thought it was a good choice. If other fans disagree then they're obviously nitpicking.
No kryptonite. Brilliant. Let human technology rise to the point where it can take on/down Supes and not just K.
I wouldn't get too ahead of myself, if MoS evolves into a trilogy, then I wouldn't put it past Snyder to introduce Kryptonite as a means to harm Superman.
Plus it would be asinine to introduce Kryptonite when you have two Kryptonians battling for the fate of the world. Perhaps you introduce Luthor, who found an element that has the ability to weaken Superman?
I think after we see this film there will be a new Kal-El. Orrganically grown from what came before but a big-move forward. The kind of move Batman and others were given years ago.
Whether this was all Nolan's doing or if WB said we need to move forward in new areas with the character, I think it is exactly what is needed at this time..
It might be a bit of both, WB probably gave it more credence when they realized that Nolan revitalized Bruce Wayne, and felt that perhaps Nolan overseeing the project and the story would give WB more confidence in seeing that Kal-El can be given the same treatment.