After “The Dark Knight Rises” premiered in 2012, Warner Bros. released a teaser trailer of “Man Of Steel” before the final film of “The Dark Knight Trilogy” commenced. Afterwards, DC fans were enthusiastic to see Superman back on the big screen after “Superman Returns” felt underwhelming in terms of quality. Warner Bros. recruited Christopher Nolan, Zack Snyder & David S. Goyer to began working on Man Of Steel, intended as the first installment of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU for short) to compete with the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s (MCU for short) critical and box office hits since “Iron Man” propelled the MCU as the highest grossing film franchise of time.
Man Of Steel was released in 2013. (same year Fast And Furious 6 came out) It earned divisive reactions from critics, fans & movie goers alike. Despite mixed reception, the film made enough revenue at the box office. The DCEU later spawned more installments some where a hit and miss.
Strong: Amy Adams, Kevin Costner, Michael Shannon, Diane Lane, Laurence Fishburne & Russell Crowe all did a decent job for their respective performances.
Action Sequences are given a bigger upgrade filled with “Dragon Ball Z” like fights with Superman going toe to toe with Zod and his henchmen.
Visual Effects are incredibly gorgeous. I have to give the effects team Bonus Points for creating realistic outfits. I could’ve sworn they were made by a 3-D Printer. I thought Supes’ first time flying got my adrenaline up the charts.
When Zod breaks into The Kryptonian Council, Jor-El said “This is madness.” A reference to Zack’s “300.”
It was interesting to see Clark getting used to his powers since childhood.
In a bar where Clark works as a busboy, a singer plays a cover version of “Ring Of Fire.” Joaquin Phoenix, who played Johnny Cash, ultimately won his first Oscar as “Joker.”
Fun Fact: Both Russell & Joaquin starred in “Gladiator” as enemies prior to participating in separate DC movies. The latter became the second actor winning an Oscar as Joker after Heath won his posthumously.
Weak: Henry Cavill’s performance as Superman felt depressing. He’s not Batman. Superman is a lighthearted boy scout with a positive personality inspiring truth and justice. Superman isn’t emo like his polar opposite.
Krypton’s atmosphere is a cheap knock off of the planet Teth from “Star Wars: The Clone Wars.” Even Jor-El riding a dragonfly stole Anakin & Ahsoka’s dragonfly escape from Ventress.
Like Nostalgia Critic & Angry Joe’s review of the movie. I notice there’s a lot of zooms. Which reminds me of that zooming scene from “Kung Pow: Enter The Fist.” After six minutes in, Man Of Steel has become an unfunny self-parody like “Superhero Movie.”
Jor-El picks up codex, resembling the crystal skull from the 2008’s biggest flop “Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull.”
At the 11:32 mark, a shot with aircraft riding during a sunset looks like the helicopters riding during a sunset from “Apocalypse Now.” Is DC trying too hard to make obvious references?
Aw geez! I swear to god I’m totally not making this up fellas. As Zod is transferred to a pod, it looks like Dr. Evil’s rocket. Am I watching a Superman movie or “Austin Powers 4?”
A Chris Cornell song pops up when Clark traveling. I don’t think Grunge suits Clark. It suits well for Bruce Wayne.
Clark’s Earth dad Jonathan didn’t properly tell to not save the kids from a drowning school bus. He could’ve said, “I don’t know, I’m just an ordinary human being with flaws who can’t solve every obstacle.” Alfred Pennyworth is a better father figure than Jonathan.
Jor-El said “The Best Of Both Worlds.” EGADS! This brought back painful flashbacks of Miley Cyrus twerking at “The 2013 MTV Music Awards.” The Best Of Both Worlds is a concert movie released in 2008. So glad I skipped it in favor of Sly Stallone’s fourth “Rambo” film.
Man Of Steel is perhaps the biggest disappointing film of 2013. As a fan of both DC since Bruce Timm’s shows and Christopher Nolan, I have to give the DCEU’s first installment tough love. Unlike “Teen Titans Go” at least Man Of Steel tried its best to tell a narrative without going overboard on idiotic moments from the aforementioned show. If you want to prep up for Wonder Woman 1984, The Suicide Squad & Justice League: Snyder Cut, so be it.
Nickthemoviecritic.com 