What are your complaints? What would you do differently? *SPOILERS*

[B]

My biggest complaint(s) were in regards to how the film was edited together, the biggest & most irritating one from my own perspective was directly following such a powerful scene at the end of the film, directly following that there was one of few humorous scenes in the film directly following it.

Another complaint I have is the same as it was with The Avengers, the sheer scale of the destruction. I understand completely that Superman is so powerful that his fights can't simply be a fist fight in the middle of the road, it has to have cars & stuff getting thrown about the place & whatnot, however the scale of the destruction in Metropolis was a little too much, much as it was in The Avengers. You had at least I'm sure 10 skyscrapers fall to the ground or get cut in half.. I understand Superman was abit pre-occupied with fending off Zod from leveling the whole planet, but I'd have just liked to have seen Superman limit the damage done to the city a little more.

Those are my 2 biggest complaints, alot of other things like

Spoiler

Superman killing Zod, Lois knowing his identity

& various other changes they made to the mythos & character to a degree didn't bother me because I felt they were handled well.

 

[Andreth]

Well maybe what I wanted wasn't rules but consistency. The Aliens powers in Superman 2 are much better defined and consistent with the exception of the telekinetic finger ray.

it was consistent, the kryptonians never used other powers besides super-strenght (which helped them take big leaps too, they never flew) which is the only power that is supposed to manifest immediately after the sun's exposition and with them wearing helmets and armors.

It's only Zod the one who starts exploring the other powers after having his helmet broken. There's a scene in which he starts controlling his X-vision and his enhanced hearing.

 

[darthganon]

Oh, I hate that song they play after the oil rig scene, when he's stealing clothes. Takes me outta' the movie every time.

Well, it wouldn't be a Zack Snyder film if it never suddenly turned into a music video.

I'm surprised it happened only once.

 

[sf2]

Well maybe what I wanted wasn't rules but consistency. The Aliens powers in Superman 2 are much better defined and consistent with the exception of the telekinetic finger ray.

you haven't seen the cold breeze yet...

 

[darthganon]

I was disappointed that the only fighting technique in Superman's repertoire is throwing people through buildings.

Need to fix that in the sequel.

 

[Project862006]

superman is'nt a trained fighter tho in a hand to hand fight if he didn't have super powers batman and green arrow would beat him down for example

he is just a mid western farm boy

 

[stillanerd]

Oh, where do I begin with this? First off, as fantastic as that opening on Krypton was, it's nothing but a prologue that literally goes on for 20 minutes and could've easily been cut out of the film without losing a thing--especially since hologram Jor-El explains to Clark virtually everything we just saw in those scenes. What the film should've done is show a condensed version of those Krypton scenes during the moment Clark encounters Jor-El in the ship. That way the film opens with the spaceship crash landing on the Kent farm and then jump cutting to 33 years later showing Clark on the fishing boat. After all, that's when the story really begins.

And while I like Henry Cavill's performance as Clark, I think it would've made more sense for his character to actually go up to the house and ask if he could borrow some clothes as opposed to stealing them (which actually would've been pretty amusing) and didn't mangle the trucker's rig. Also, I would've preferred if Clark's childhood flashbacks were presented in chronological order, save for the last one towards the end of the film. Also, I would've liked to have seen Clark do something heroic like he did on the oil rig after he put on the suit and flew around. Or have a montage of reports of a mysterious flying figure doing all sorts of heroic deeds yet no one knowing who or what he is while we see Superman flying around for the first time.

Also, didn't anyone else think it weird that Kryptonian technology apparently never advanced in the 20,000 or so years that scout ship was buried in the ice?

Another big problem was, as good as Kevin Costner was, the characterization of Jonathan Kent was terrible and, IMO, qualifies him as a nominee for "Worst Father of the Year." This pretty much sums up who he is: "You're not just anyone, Clark. One day, you're going to have to make a choice. You have to decide what kind of man you want to grow up to be. Whoever that man is, good character or bad, it's going to change the world. But you still have keep this side of yourself a secret because people fear what they don't understand, and the world is not ready for someone like you. So you must keep your powers hidden at all costs, even it means letting innocent people die. Because preserving your anonymity is more important than saving lives, including my own. Now if you excuse me, I got to go save the family dog out the car, even though I totally could've avoided getting getting myself and your mom in this predicament as well as forcing you into this moral dilemma simply by turning the car around and not stopping in the first place." *Waves good-bye to Clark as the giant tornado engulfs him and carries him off to the magical land of Oz.*

I'm sure much has been made about Superman's seeming disinterest in the amount of collateral damage and potentially thousands of people who died during the fight scenes--even though they were breathtaking and spectacular. With regards to Smallville, a fat lot of good it did Supes, telling everybody to get off the street and hide in the buildings since those very same buildings end up getting destroyed and blown up moments later. Plus, wouldn't Superman be utterly devastated to see what had happened to the town he grew up in? Plus, his priority is to not go after the World Machine in Metropolis were lives are directly being lost but the one in the Indian Ocean? Or how about during the fight with Zod they actually end up in Earth's orbit yet come right back down to Metropolis again--just to set up the whole "Superman kills Zod" scene of which, the less said, the better.

Also, way too many Macguffins. I mean, by the time we get to the climax, we got the Codex, Kal-El's space ship, the 20,000 year old Kyrptonian scout ship AND the World Builder all in play. Not to mention, I thought the World Builder was necessary and didn't make much sense considering how Zod and his followers, like Clark, are sacrificing godlike powers which could've ensured their survival in order to make Earth more like Krypton, although I guess it was a faster way to get rid of the humans and make for a big action set-piece.

Those are the one's that I can think of right off hand at the moment.

 

[Noach]

I actually enjoyed this Superman. He's young, inexperienced and intriguing. He gets his ass whooped by his Kryptonian kind not because he's weak, but because he is under trained. What a great set up for a nice trilogy, as we see that a young superman can defeat zod by

Spoiler

breaking his neck.

 

[spider-neil]

Another big problem was, as good as Kevin Costner was, the characterization of Jonathan Kent was terrible and, IMO, qualifies him as a nominee for "Worst Father of the Year." This pretty much sums up who he is: Here's what Jonathan Kent essentially boiled down to: "You're not just anyone, Clark. One day, you're going to have to make a choice. You have to decide what kind of man you want to grow up to be. Whoever that man is, good character or bad, it's going to change the world. But you still have keep this side of yourself a secret because people fear what they don't understand, and the world is not ready for someone like you. So you must keep your powers hidden at all costs, even it means letting innocent people die. Because preserving your anonymity is more important than saving lives, including my own.

100% spot on.

 

[spider-neil]

I just cannot get over how normal Metropolis looked and acted after the final battle was over. You'd think those scenes were 10 years later the way the destruction isn't even brought up. It's like no gives a **** hundreds of thousands of people had died. Look how the world reacted to TWO buildings being destroyed for context.

 

[bullets]

Needed to see what happened to Zod's body.....would have been nice in an ending credit scene......Lexcorp or Cadmus being formed.


Hard to believe the govt isn't working on some protection after this......


How did Clark get his job with the Planet?


I still think this was a great movie! 8/10

I remember Perry and friends being close by while Superman was kissing Lois in the wake of destruction . I think Perry also knows his identity and that's why he hired him.


The other explanation is that Clark has been all over the world and might of been able to make a compelling job interview. I bet he's a fast typer and think he was wearing a college sweater (iirc).

 

[stillanerd]

I just cannot get over how normal Metropolis looked and acted after the final battle was over. You'd think those scenes were 10 years later the way the destruction isn't even brought up. It's like no gives a **** hundreds of thousands of people had died. Look how the world reacted to TWO buildings being destroyed for context.

This is why the Avengers, which also had a big spectacular fight scene that virtually destroyed a city, still has a big advantage over Man of Steel. Because not only do we see the Avengers actively try to contain the fight, organize the authorities, and save lives while fighting off the invading forces of Loki and the Chtarri, we see how the world reacts to the Avengers and the invasion afterwards.

 

[sf2]

I just cannot get over how normal Metropolis looked and acted after the final battle was over. You'd think those scenes were 10 years later the way the destruction isn't even brought up. It's like no gives a **** hundreds of thousands of people had died. Look how the world reacted to TWO buildings being destroyed for context.

gotta agree on this part. it's against the reality theme they are going.
well, i guess they are just rush in to introduce the mild reporter clark kent to us, who is so important and totally missing in the movie.

 

[Blake II]

This is why the Avengers, which also had a big spectacular fight scene that virtually destroyed a city, still has a big advantage over Man of Steel. Because not only do we see the Avengers actively try to contain the fight, organize the authorities, and save lives while fighting off the invading forces of Loki and the Chtarri, we see how the world reacts to the Avengers and the invasion afterwards.

Exactly. Though you got to admit, Man of Steel's action scenes were far superior than those of the Avengers.

 

[spider-neil]

This is a nitpick but the scene where Clark tells Martha he has found his real parents bothered me. Unless the guy is the most heartless guy ever he seems not to care that his adopted mum was in clearly AGONY at the news and is failing badly at putting on a brave face. I was waiting and waiting and waiting for Clark to say something along the lines of 'you'll always be my mum' and the words never come.

Very similar to Aunt May and UB being upset that Peter is looking for his parents but Peter says to Ben 'you're a really good dad' and you see UB face light up. I wanted that in the Martha/Clark scene and it never came.

I realise I'm probably alone in this.

 

[stillanerd]

Exactly. Though you got to admit, Man of Steel's action scenes were far superior than those of the Avengers.

Oh, in terms of actual fist fighting and over-the-top comic book spectacle, no question Zack Snyder delivered the goods. I mean, that one moment during the Smallville fight when the train was falling out of the sky towards Superman, I literally went "Oh ****!" But what got lost in the spectacle of it all where those character moments that Joss Whedon had the foresight to put into the New York battle in Avengers.

 

[spider-neil]

Exactly. Though you got to admit, Man of Steel's action scenes were far superior than those of the Avengers.

The action in MoS was very Michael Bay to me in that the spectacle was impressive but I didn't 'feel' anything. A big contrast to the action in TDK or SM2. I will always want my action to have resonance otherwise it just feels like watching someone playing a video game.

 

[Project862006]

This is a nitpick but the scene where Clark tells Martha he has found his real parents bothered me. Unless the guy is the most heartless guy ever he seems not to care that his adopted mum was in clearly AGONY at the news and is failing badly at putting on a brave face. I was waiting and waiting and waiting for Clark to say something along the lines of 'you'll always be my mum' and the words never come.

Very similar to Aunt May and UB being upset that Peter is looking for his parents but Peter says to Ben 'you're a really good dad' and you see UB face light up. I wanted that in the Martha/Clark scene and it never came.

I realise I'm probably alone in this.

he never said "REAL" parents

he said "i found i found my parents and where i came from"

night and day completely different context and meaning had he said real parents i'd agree with you but he did'nt

 

[Anita18]

he never said "REAL" parents

he said "i found i found my parents and where i came from"

night and day completely different context and meaning had he said real parents i'd agree with you but he did'nt

I think Martha was afraid that he'd leave Earth to go find them and then she'd never see him again. He didn't tell her that the planet had exploded or anything. I think that was a pretty legitimate fear for a mother whose adopted son comes from another planet. That's why he reassures her that he's not going anywhere.

 

[Blake II]

The action in MoS was very Michael Bay to me in that the spectacle was impressive but I didn't 'feel' anything. A big contrast to the action in TDK or SM2. I will always want my action to have resonance otherwise it just feels like watching someone playing a video game.

Michael Bay deals with robots and huge aliens. Here, we have Superman fighting Zod the way it should be: filled with punches, clashing through buildings, heat rays all over the place, and just pure destruction everywhere thanks to the immense strength these two have.

 

[spider-neil]

Michael Bay deals with robots and huge aliens. Here, we have Superman fighting Zod the way it should be: filled with punches, clashing through buildings, heat rays all over the place, and just pure destruction everywhere thanks to the immense strength these two have.

You're still talking about spectacle. What does the fight MEAN, what is at stake if Superman loses? The fights are too big, too many people die so I'm just desensitised to the whole thing. I'm told the stakes I don't 'feel' the stakes. I really didn't like IM3 but the plane rescue was intense, if Iron Man fails those people die and you 'feel' it. I didn't get the sense of danger or peril in MoS, I just didn't. Whoever did enjoy the fights then more power to you but the fights for me were empty, lack weight and went on for far too long.

 

[Glassjaw]

I saw it again yesterday and its interesting to note, in the ashes of the Metropolis fight, when Clark and Lois kiss, its not just Perry Jenny and Lombard there. You see people in the background crawling and climbing out of the debris. They're really out of focus but they're there. So yeah, I never got a sense all those buildings collapsing had been evacuated anyway, but that confirms they really hadn't. Not a huge sticking point for me, but something to note.

Something I didnt like, was the flying close ups on Superman looking at him. It doesn't make you feel like your flying with him like they were going for. It was great the first time to see that smile on Clarks face, bit after that, the shot feels so clostrophobic,, if you were flying with him, or if you were Superman, you'd see where you were going, what you were flying over, not looking the opposite way.

I also wish they'd used more wire work for flying, as it still looks good. When Clark and Lois land in the corn field after the black zero escape, its real, they're there. When Clark lands in the ashes in Metropolis, it looks so blurry and he judders onto the floor. Was really noticeable for me. Just nitpicks, nothing film ruining.

 

[Project862006]

maybe he should of said "i found my real parents mom but don't worry their both dead and my planet exploded"

 

[Project862006]

You're still talking about spectacle. What does the fight MEAN, what is at stake if Superman loses? The fights are too big, too many people die so I'm just desensitised to the whole thing. I'm told the stakes I don't 'feel' the stakes. I really didn't like IM3 but the plane rescue was intense, if Iron Man fails those people die and you 'feel' it. I didn't get the sense of danger or peril in MoS, I just didn't. Whoever did enjoy the fights then more power to you but the fights for me were empty, lack weight and went on for far too long.

the end of the human race a people he has learned to love and a people he has grown with for 33 years if zod beat superman he would of terraformed earth and every human would be dead including lois and his mother

was this a serious question

edit:also when the terraforming was stopped zod was hellbent on killing humans anyways

 

[BlueLantern]

The point you're missing is that's statistics. Worse still, do you really think the filmmakers are crazy enough to let that happen? Nope.

So as a result, it's difficult to believe that would happen and difficult to feel the loss if it did. It's why smaller battles feel so much more painful because you get the conflict behind it. Seeing the rave party gravity beam go crazy felt like everything before and worse because I was absolutely not invested in the City or people at all.

That Gremlin bloke kept comparing Man of Steel to Chris Nolan's Batman films. You know what the difference is? Even in the Dark Knight Rises with its whacko plot you get the repercussions of Bane winning.

Why? Because Gotham isn't just a City to Bruce. It's his parents' legacy. Gotham is his home and a testament to not only what he's tried to fight for but also what his parents died fighting for.

That's why it works when Bruce suffers and struggles. Imagine in Batman Begins if Bruce had been spending all his time out of Gotham City since birth and then Ra's Al Ghul goes 'I'm going to destroy Gotham City!' Sure, Bruce will still do his thing and save the city but as an audience it'd be a case of 'who gives a ****?'

Sure, it's destruction and chaos but with zero emotional investment whatsoever.