Faster than a speeding bullet? Maybe…
But this Superman isn’t your grandparents’ caped crusader, and that could be a good thing. Especially when you compare it to director Bryan Singer‘s 2006 version that starred Brandon Routh and misfired with both barrels.
Don’t underestimate the teaming of DARK KNIGHT director—now producer and co-writer—Christopher Nolan with WATCHMEN and 300 director Zack Snyder. Their combined mission: Warner Brothers SECOND reboot of the Superman franchise at an estimated pricetag of $225 million.
What to expect from Henry Cavill‘s interpretation as the MAN OF STEEL?
For one, the Snyder-Nolan teaming has taken this DC Comics resurrection down a decisively darker, more violent and intense PG-13 path. If you’re looking for wink-wink laughs and lighter moments, this is not your movie.
MAN OF STEEL devotes its first 20 minutes to a lengthy set-up. Going deep into Superman’s origins complete with the history of the doomed planet Krypton and the events that caused his parents to place the infant into an earthbound space vehicle which would land on the Kent farm in Smallville, Kansas.
“When the world finds out what you can do…it’ll change everything.”
The film deals with Kal’s emotionally troubled growing years as a youth with super human abilities. And the moment of truth when he learns about his past and what’s facing him in the future.
“Someday when the time is right, you’ll be the bridge between two people.”
Come to think of it MAN OF STEEL really plays more like a science fiction entry than superhero movie. Don’t be surprised though to see this incarnation becoming the first of a new trilogy and eventually leading into an all-out combined power play. Kinda like Disney’s MARVEL superheroes came together in THE AVENGERS.
Justice League movie, anyone?
My take on this expensive summer tent pole? For one, the filmmakers seemed to put an incredible amount of effort into the film’s action effects.
CGI toybox overkill?
The movie does feel a bit overproduced and Hans Zimmer‘s musical score sounds overSCORED—if there is such a thing. At a running time of 2 hours and 22 minutes this action-adventure could’ve easily been tightened down to about two hours. But what do I know? I’m just an observer, and it’s always easy to play Monday morning quarterback before the weekend is over.
In the meantime, let’s give credit to respectable performances by Henry Cavill as Kal-El/Clark Kent. Also Kevin Costner and Diane Lane as his adoptive Kansas parents. Krypton dad Russell Crowe, Michael Shannon as the ferocious General Zod, Daily Planet boss Laurence Fishburne and Amy Adams delivering a nice Lois Lane.
As for the MAN OF STEEL, 3D conversion? Wasn’t necessary. It really doesn’t add that much here. My prediction: A domestic opening weekend box office take of between $80 to $95 million. But whether at the end of the day it’ll top $250 million remains to be seen.
I’m raising 2-1/2 out of 5 fearsome fingers.
(Reviewed at AMC 30, Olathe.)
JACK GOES TO THE MOVIES: Friday mornings at 6:40 a.m. & 8:40 a.m. on KMBZ Fm & Am / Also anytime on Time-Warner Cable’s K.C. ON DEMAND, Channel 411 / And throughout Nebraska on NEBRASKA ON DEMAND.
Superman needs some levity, look to I & II on how to do it properly.
I think Nolan has kind of done more bad than good for superhero comic book movies.
Everyone wants to be like the Dark Knight, well, once I got to the third installment it became obvious the movies were missing levity. You can’t be dark all the time, it gets boring and repetative.
Am I the only one that thought Superman Returns wasn’t bad? Don’t answer that.
I’ll see this one like I do all superhero movies, but I’ve never been a big Superman guy so I’m not expecting all that much. I guess I just always thought of Superman as the kind of hero that a 5-year old would make up. Because of that very generic quality, as the previous poster said, I think Superman lends itself to some levity as his character is way too perfect and thusly, kind of boring to me.
Returns wasn’t bad, it just wasn’t that good. According to the reviews the writers wrote the levity out of this reboot too which does make for a boring Superman.
What stupefyingly pathetic tripe.
God bless ya Jack, I don’t know how ya do it or what they pay ya, it ain’t enough.
Did ya see this?
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/steven-spielberg-and-george-lucas-warn-of-movie-industry-implosion-is-it-the-end-of-hollywood-as-we-know-it-8658179.html
Video games and all the digital effects in today’s movies are becoming indistinguishable. And people are realizing this.