REVIEW: Man of Steel

Courtesy of Warner Bros.

Superman is arguably the most famous superhero, but he’s got a spotty track record when it comes to cinematic adaptations. Obviously, Richard Donner’s 1978 film is the gold standard, ushering the character into the modern era and cementing Christopher Reeve as the actor every other performer must live up to. Director Bryan Singer attempted to bring the icon into the 21st century, but most found his interpretation morose and overly reverential to Donner’s film (though I liked it a lot).

Seven years later, Warner Bros. is starting from scratch with Man of Steel. At first, Zack Snyder (Watchmen) might seem like an odd choice to direct a narrative with such old-fashioned roots. But his knack for astonishing visual storytelling, combined with David Goyer’s modern take on the mythos and Christopher Nolan’s ability to humanize larger-than-life figures, serves as a decent fit for Superman.

By now, audiences have seen a million versions of the character’s origin story. But in this age of sequels and reboots, at least this new interpretation is compelling and contributes new ideas to the legend. We still get to see baby Kal-El (played skillfully, as an adult, by Henry Cavill) rocketed away from the doomed Krypton thanks to his noble parents (Russell Crowe and Ayelet Zurer), but now his father is much more aggressive in his efforts to provide a future for his son, the first child in centuries to be conceived naturally.

His father also has a more direct link to the villain, General Zod (Michael Shannon), adding further dramatic weight to the film’s second half. Until then, we have a Kal-El/Clark Kent who is torn between his biological father’s optimistic view of humanity and the slightly darker opinion of human nature his adoptive father (a wonderful Kevin Costner) holds.

Snyder and Goyer’s collaboration does wonders for Lois Lane (Amy Adams, terrific as always). She’s no longer just a damsel in distress, and she’s not too stupid to realize that Clark Kent and Superman look a lot alike. That particular trait has bugged me for years, and the filmmakers come up with a logical solution that also enhances the character. I just wish the script didn’t rely on pop culture shorthand to explain her relationship with the hero – don’t just say they have chemistry because they’re supposed to. Develop it!

Most importantly, Snyder vividly depicts what beings like Kal-El and Zod are capable of. There are global repercussions when they fight, so naturally the action sequences are an assault on the senses. I’d hate to be an insurance agent assessing the property damage in Metropolis or Smallville.

Funny, moving and exciting to the point of exhaustion, Man of Steel looks to be the movie to beat this summer. Honestly, I don’t see how anything tops it.

Man of Steel is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence, action and destruction, and for some language.

Grade: B+