TMOS Reviews Thread - Non Spoiler Review and Discussion

[JangoNate]

It's not my favorite movie of the year so far, maybe the number 2 spot, but as for a blockbuster it definitely is the number 1 movie to beat right now. Im sure MOS will crunch it though. t:

Oh, definitely. I meant summer blockbusters, which is what I live for. For that ST:ID fired on all cylinders. But I, too, would be dissapointed if MOS didn't shatter that.

 

[redfirebird2008]

No, I wish it was. It was a regular 2-D showing. I'm not usually a fan of 3-D, but I want to see it in that format now.

Damn, too bad it wasn't IMAX. That's the biggest and best IMAX screen in Houston.

 

[ModusPonens]

My favorite superhero films in order prior to Man of Steel:

1. The Dark Knight
2. Avengers
3. Batman Begins
4. The Dark Knight Rises
5. Iron Man 1
6. X-Men 2
7. Watchmen
8. Captain America: TFA
9. X-Men: First Class
10. Spider-Man 2

Where does Man of Steel fit in? Definitely somewhere in the top 5. I'm tempted to put it at #2. I just can't put it above The Dark Knight because of Ledger's performance and the fact that I grew up more of a Batman fan than Superman.

Awesome. TDK is also currently my favorite, but I grew up more of a Superman fan, so hopefully MoS is good enough to become my favorite.

 

[moviefan!]

For new page

Snyder does what he can with the Nolan/Goyer story and just about manages to make it somewhat thrilling and exciting yet we cannot help but think what could have been if it were not this somber a tale

This is what i expect Devin Faraci's review to say


I guarantee it. Bets placed

 

[Stephen K. Hone]

Oh, definitely. I meant summer blockbusters, which is what I live for. For that ST:ID fired on all cylinders. But I, too, would be dissapointed if MOS didn't shatter that.

That's pretty much how I see it in regards to ST:ID. Great summer blockbuster. Ticked pretty much all the right boxes imo.

 

[ModusPonens]

For new page



This is what i expect Devin Faraci's review to say


I guarantee it. Bets placed

I dunno. He really enjoyed Watchmen, which isn't exactly a light-hearted story.

"If nothing else, Zack Snyder’s Watchmen demands praise as an awe-inspiring achievement."

"Snyder had crafted a movie that flirts with honest to God greatness, that doesn’t just capture the events of the comic but also the humanity and the emotion. It’s a remarkable film, and an uncompromising one. It’s the sort of movie that major studios are simply not supposed to be making now that the 1970s are over."

(Review)


I really think his negative tweets were directed toward World War Z, and not MOS. He's been extremely excited about MoS, loving the tones set by all the trailers.

 

[TheFlamingCoco]

He's probably gonna give this a 6 or 7. I can't see him LOVING it, but I don't think he'll hate it. He gave both Iron Man and TDK an 8.5/10. That's pretty high. He might have changed personalities though

 

[Skrilla31]

Anyone can be a critic. By calling it a "review", it puts these guys on a pedestal. Let's call them what they really are. Opinions.

Some of you guys would be a lot better off if you didn't put too much stock into other people's opinions. Devin Faraci is just like you and I, another movie goer. He has a right to his opinion just like you have the right to yours. You'll never find a writer/critic that shares your sentiment 100% of the time because it simply isn't possible. Roger Ebert was someone whose opinion I respected a great deal and yet I can't even begin to tell you how many times I've been on the opposite side of the fence. So I'm not gonna question his credibility and qualifications as a film expert just because he didn't like my favorite movie.

About Star Trek Into Darkness being "totally stupid"? I agree with Devin on that, and mind you I really enjoyed myself during that movie.

Spoiler

The final act deteriorating into a Wrath Of Khan homage/retread just didn't sit right with me. It felt wholly unnecessary and I feel it undermined the idea of the reboot in the first place. That and it was flat out RIDICULOUS how they shoe-horned Nemoy into the movie and how he needed to be the one to tell the audience that Khan needed to be stopped because he was a "really bad guy".

But aside from that? I had a lot of fun during Trek. If Devin couldn't bring himself to enjoy it for those same reasons? That's fine too. He's also an uber Star Trek fan so perhaps his subconscious forces him to skim over the movies flaws with a fine tooth comb. Maybe he's just not on board with turning Star Trek into "Space Blockbuster For The Masses". I have no idea. I can't predict how someone is going to respond to a movie. We all bring different feelings with us into the theater and we're all going to be affected differently on the way out.

The fact is I really enjoy reading Devin's opinions, whether I agree with them or not. He's sharp, he's clever, and in some cases he could just be flat out vicious. I don't read his stuff - or anyone's stuff - because I need validation. In Devin's case, I just read because I'm genuinely curious to see what he has to say. Just like Stephen A. Smith on ESPN. I don't agree with the guy all the time but he's just an electric personality who commands your attention when he speaks... and when you do agree with him, he has a way of articulating that point in a way so precise that you actually learn something from it.

I am a huge Superman fan but yes, I am at least ALLOWING for the possibility that this movie will disappoint me but perhaps that's just because my expectations are so sky high. Judging from everything I've seen so far, I know the story is there and I know the action is there. I know that. What I don't know is if the characters are there or if the writing is there... or if the drama is there. I'll find out when you guys do. Until then, f*** these negative reviews and wait until you see the movie for yourself.

 

[fake]

I don't think Devin has seen the movie yet. He was not at the LA screening according to his twitter messages that day. I think what he is saying is more general in the sense of what an embargo means, and why there will surely be negative reviews for MoS just as there are for other movies.

 

[TheFlamingCoco]

^ The writing and pacing is what I'm most worried about. I'm not really worried about anything else. I know it will be dramatic. I know it will be interesting. I know it will be exciting. And I expect the acting to be top notch as well. But is the dialog good, and is the pacing thought out? I would rather have a movie that drags a bit, than one that just jumps around, not letting the emotions and characters breathe a while. I want to feel that sense of release when Clark becomes Superman, and a sense of intrigue when Zod's plan is formed. And I want the action to have an element of characterization, with the final fight happening when it is logically thematically resonant to show it. And THEN, I want that big fight to be epic, and after it's over, for the film to kind of detox and end with a nice peaceful finish.

 

[tomoe]

I posted here last night offering a few thoughts from an advance screening I attended in Houston. Here's my non spoiler review at Comics and Cosplay.

Thanks for the review. Can't wait to see it. But I absolutely loooattthe the phrase "typical damsel in distress". I swear there hasn't been a typical damsel in distress in like 50 years, unless it's a spoof. Just about every female in every comic book movie gets described that way, as well as any movie with a female heroine. Every time a new Disney movie comes out with a female love interest or a female lead, she's described as "not a typical damsel in distress". Damsels in distress just aren't typical in movies anymore. Sorry for the rant, had to get it out. Great review otherwise though!

 

[DanSupKP37]

I posted here last night offering a few thoughts from an advance screening I attended in Houston. Here's my non spoiler review at Comics and Cosplay.

Summary: "A reboot on par with Batman Begins, Man of Steel successfully modernizes the Superman franchise while providing breathtaking action on a massive scale"

Nice...

 

[Ozymandias]

Thanks for the review. Can't wait to see it. But I absolutely loooattthe the phrase "typical damsel in distress". I swear there hasn't been a typical damsel in distress in like 50 years, unless it's a spoof. Just about every female in every comic book movie gets described that way, as well as any movie with a female heroine. Every time a new Disney movie comes out with a female love interest or a female lead, she's described as "not a typical damsel in distress". Damsels in distress just aren't typical in movies anymore. Sorry for the rant, had to get it out. Great review otherwise though!

One of the reasons I chose that phrase was because I had read other reviews/reactions that stated she was a typical damsel in distress, and I wanted to make it clear that's not the case.

Like this reaction:

"There’s a reason why they told us not to tweet about the movie we just saw: IT’S TERRIBLE!!!

Also it definitely fails the Bechdel Test. Seriously can big budget movies create a decent role for a woman? It’s getting pretty ridiculous."

 

[JonahNolan]

As a film fan, Devin is certainly entitled to his opinion. He likes light, fluffy movies with cartoonish storytelling. I personally want darker, edger comic book films but that is more of a personal preference. The issue is that Devin has, in an objective sense, terrible taste in cinema and presents his opinions as fact. He loved Spiderman 3, he loved the the first GI JOE movie, and he thought that insipid Tom Cruise War of the World's movie was the best blockbusters film of summer 2005. Anyone who thinks the first GI JOE movie is a better film than TDRK isn't qualified to review cinema in a professional context.

He is a Marvel/Avengers fanboy who shrills for camp.

He cannot be trusted.

 

[Notrip]

Joannalangfield
Man of Steel: a lot to digest, but quite an awesome spin on the classic. Gonna have fun reviewing this one; the real fun is watching it roll

she is a movie critic

 

[Autonet]

she is a movie critic

I thought that read "A lot of disgust..."

 

[TheFlamingCoco]

As a film fan, Devin is certainly entitled to his opinion. He likes light, fluffy movies with cartoonish storytelling. I personally want darker, edger comic book films but that is more of a personal preference. The issue is that Devin has, in an objective sense, terrible taste in cinema and presents his opinions as fact. He loved Spiderman 3, he loved the the first GI JOE movie, and he thought that that insipid Tom Cruise War of the World's movie was the best blockbusters film of summer 2005. Anyone who thinks the first GI JOE movie is a better film than TDRK isn't qualified to review cinema in a professional context.

He is a Marvel/Avengers fanboy who shrills for camp.

He cannot be trusted.

Critics can't win, can they? If they like an unpopular movie they're perceived as inferior, and if they only care about popular movies they are accused of "group think." As far as the superhero genre, I like variety, though I will admit to these movies as being lopsided to the "fluffy" kind.

Avengers wasn't campy, just lighthearted. And he might have a Marvel bias, just as some people might have a DC bias. The competitive mentality is unfortunate, but not uncommon.

 

[Manosman]

Critics can't win, can they? If they like an unpopular movie they're perceived as inferior, and if they only care about popular movies they are accused of "group think." As far as the superhero genre, I like variety, though I will admit to these movies as being lopsided to the "fluffy" kind.

Avengers wasn't campy, just lighthearted. And he might have a Marvel bias, just as some people might have a DC bias. The competitive mentality is unfortunate, but not uncommon.

Comes with the territory. Just like any job there are positives and negatives. If you can't take the fact that people will disagree with you, you shouldn't be a critic of anything. If the worst thing that can happen to you is that people will disagree, that's a pretty low side effect for a job.

Hell, I'd love to be a movie critic, people can despise me for all I care, just give me the opportunity. Get to watch movies all day long and share you opinion, seems pretty great to me.

 

[Notrip]

Joe Berkowitz ‏@JoeBerkowitz 25m
Saw me some Man of Steel tonight. I have minor qualms, but overall it's great and it's insane that movies can look this cool now.

another positive.

 

[TheFlamingCoco]

Comes with the territory. Just like any job there are positives and negatives. If you can't take the fact that people will disagree with you, you shouldn't be a critic of anything. If the worst thing that can happen to you is that people will disagree, that's a pretty low side effect for a job.

Hell, I'd love to be a movie critic, people can despise me for all I care, just give me the opportunity. Get to watch movies all day long and share you opinion, seems pretty great to me.

I heard most critics HAVE to watch the movies that come out. Think of all the painful romcom's, family movies, empty blockbusters, poorly written dramas, and TWILIGHT. No wonder they're so grumpy

 

[Manosman]

I heard most critics HAVE to watch the movies that come out. Think of all the painful romcom's, family movies, empty blockbusters, poorly written dramas, and TWILIGHT. No wonder they're so grumpy

True, but I'd rather do that than stare at an excel spreadsheet filled with thousands of lines of numbers and financial ratios, which I do for a living now. Damn I knew I shouldn't have majored in Accounting.

 

[moviefan!]

Review from a screening goer from boxoffice.com forums

So, just saw Man of Steel at a early screening this afternoon. I was kindly invited by a friend, for which I am grateful to him.

The screening was about 90% full, all adults. Maybe critics, movie insiders, WB people and their friends.

This review is spoiler free.

The music by Hans Zimmer is surprisingly good, I'll definitely have to buy the soundtrack when it comes out. It perfectly matches the mood of the film. Its no John Williams, but its great in its own right.

Visuals are fantastic. CGI is pretty good. Can't say I was a fan of the 3D but they did a solid job. Won't stop me from going to an IMAX 2D showing of this on opening day.

There's plenty of action. If people are wondering if its too fast, don't worry, its perfectly watchable. The trailer just cut tiny bits of it to make it appear extremely quick. There's no slow motion. The last half hour in particular is out out of this world epic scale.

Performances. All great.

Henry Cavil. I can't say I'm a fan of his previous work, but he really does a good portrayal of Superman. I must say I'm a big fan of the punching (who isn't?).

However, the real winner is probably Michael Shannon, who was fantastic. I've only seen him in Take Shelter (which he also did an excellent job), but he shows why Hollywood shouldn't ignore him. He is intense and extremely menacing. He fits his character perfectly. I wouldn't say Shannon quite matches Heath Ledger's legendary Joker performance, but he is for sure the second best villain I've seen in a comic book movie. He steals the show for me.

Antje Traue was pretty good too. Amy Adams and Laurence Fishburne did solid jobs for their part. Russell Crowe does his best, really pulling off despair for his planet and worry for his son.

Costner was great. I think his performance as Clark Kent's father was moving at times. I kinda wish I got to see more of him.

Criticisms, the character development felt a tad rushed, but within context of the film, its perfectly fine I guess. I prefer to see the movie a second time before I start poking it for problems.

I have to congratulate Snyder and Goyer on the film. We got a perfectly enjoyable modern Superman movie. WB strikes gold ocne again.

A-

If you have any questions, I'll try to answer them, but will spoiler tag everything if it involves the story.



Moving up my predict to 95/310

 

[Notrip]

I think tonight will be the biggest night in terms of reactions. Tons of screenings going on tonight. Seeing lots of people tweeting they are seeing Man of Steel

 

[redfirebird2008]

Critics can't win, can they?

They get paid money to watch movies. I don't feel sorry for them.

 

[JonahNolan]

Critics can't win, can they? If they like an unpopular movie they're perceived as inferior, and if they only care about popular movies they are accused of "group think." As far as the superhero genre, I like variety, though I will admit to these movies as being lopsided to the "fluffy" kind.

Avengers wasn't campy, just lighthearted. And he might have a Marvel bias, just as some people might have a DC bias. The competitive mentality is unfortunate, but not uncommon.

Avengers was extremely camp. The whole film is camp. I say this as someone who greatly enjoyed the First Iron Man and Captain America: The First Avenger. Whedon's cartoonish film was a vapid movie that relied on dumb jokes and special effects. It made billions worldwide because it was safe, crowd-pleasing entertainment. Same for Iron Man 3. No drama. No real tension. It treated an alien invasion like a dumb joke and an excuse to showcase TV quality special effects. I know it has a huge online fanbase among the comic book faithful, but it bored me silly because I didn't believe anything I saw onscreen.

Devin is NOT a real critic. He is just a glorified fanboy/blogger with a twitter account. You act as if he is some film scholar. I don't hate him. I just think he is disingenuous and a liar. He even wrote some silly essay on how Avengers box office success was proof that America was supporting hope over cynicism. He might as well be on the Marvel payroll.