Directed by Zack Snyder
Starring Henry Cavill, Michael Shannon, Amy Adams, Kevin Costner, Russell Crowe
It's no secret that the line of Superman movies have been mostly terrible. With the last decent one being the first Christopher Reeves film, it has taken quite a downward spiral since then. In 2006, X-Men director Bryan Singer attempted to revive this dead franchise with "Superman Returns", but sadly his efforts were absymal. The film just didn't live up to expectations, and it seemed not even Singer could give the superhero the spark he deserved. Then, a few years later, a director by the name of Christopher Nolan picked up the Man of Steel whilst concluding his epic Batman trilogy, and hired visionary director Zack Snyder to helm the director's seat, while Nolan produced from the sidelines. This is the product of that collaboration, fittingly titled "Man of Steel", and I'm shocked to say this, but it seems Superman may be finally getting the movie he needed, and the one he deserved (I know, overused Nolan pun, but that doesn't make it less awesome).
"Man of Steel" will be an origins story akin to Nolan's "Batman Begins", and will employ a lot of realistic and gritty elements too. From the trailers alone, we can tell the filmmakers did their homework in crafting the perfect superhero who is not only a symbol of justice, but one of internal conflict. We see Clark Kent wrestle with his past, and attempt to make sense of himself in society, coming to grips with the fact that he is an alien (to be it bluntly). Oddly, it looks and feels like a Christopher Nolan film, with the themes and tones already a trademark of the British director. There's not much hints of Zack Snyder's eye-popping visual flare, which has led me to believe that Nolan perhaps had his hand into the project more than we anticipated. Of course, this is a good thing, but ultimately this is Zack Snyder's baby by the end of the day, and whether or not David S. Goyer's script is solid enough to deliver a classic superhero experience. Goyer did write "Batman Begins", so I have no doubt he will be able to craft a struggling man within a shell of the corrupt and crime-infested society, and not just America's hoorah poster child.
There's quite an impressive cast at work here too. Firstly, Henry Cavill is the new Superman, and he seems to fit the profile quite well. He's toned up and ready to brawl, but his acting talents have yet to be judged because "Immortals" was a trainwreck. Michael Shannon will play General Zod, a much anticipated villain. Kevin Costner and Diane Lane will play the sweet old Kents, who take in Clark after his crash landing. Amy Adams is also a part of this team as Louis Lane, and she seems to be a very fitting choice, matching the profile and curious journalistic nature of the redheaded reporter who falls in love with Superman. As not to spoil anything further, I'll keep the rest of the cast a secret, but Russell Crowe, Laurence Fisburne and Ayelet Zurer are all in the mix too.
So, the final verdict for this? It's something that you have to see, even if you hate superheroes (in which case, you live a sad and unimaginative life). "Man of Steel" looks to be the Superman movie without the cheese and patriotism. It's a dark, gritty movie grounded in a place where superheroes are given the "Nolan" treatment: heavy emphasis on character psychology, a stunning awareness of its expansive universe, and distinctive visual flare. If you aren't remotely interested in those... "G.I. Joe: Retaliation" is just down the road. (lol)
"Man of Steel" opens on the 28 June, 2013
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