Movie Review: Man of Steel

Well, it's been a few weeks since Man of Steel was unleashed upon theater screens. It took me a little while, longer than I normally like, but I have seen the movie. After seeing it I had some distinct feelings about it, not all positive, that left me wondering of I really wanted to right about it. You see, it is the sort of movie that has already been covered to death, analyzed to pieces, and praised/criticized to both ends of the spectrum. Do I really want to just be another voice shouting into the void? Not really, but hear I am.



I guess I sort of feel a little bit obligated. Let me be right up from and say I am a bit conflicted. I ultimately come out on the down side of the coin, but I do not think it is a completely negative experience. The movie is good if you are not really a fan of Superman, look at it more like an alien invasion movie, or even more simply as a special effects driven spectacle and it is entertaining. Still, it is odd for me as I am not the biggest fan of the character and still came out on the down side.

The initial prospect of a Zack Snyder directed, Christopher Nolan produced Superman movie definitely had my interest. I think Snyder is a good visual director, he made a really good Dawn of The Dead film (I was surprised by this), 300 was fantastic, ad even Sucker Punch had its pluses. I essentially felt the same way about Snyder as I did when Michael Bay was inked for Transformers. It seemed like a really good match of director sensibilities and material.

On the good side of the coin is the action. While I may not like some of the choices that led to the action, it is certainly exciting, well staged, and very extensive. Forget that Superman is in the middle of the rubble and pull be fine. Now, of you pull back from the demolished Metropolis and look at how the story is presented and you will find something interesting and unlike prior cinematic incarnations. This as a big science fiction element, playing up the fact that Superman/Kal-El/Clark Kent is an alien and how knowledge of his existence would impact the world. This is pretty interesting.

What I don't like about the movie is tough to discuss without heading Ito spoiler territory, but I will see what I can do, although I suspect it offers up how I can overlook flaws in some movies where similar flaws in other movies drive me nuts. I admit it is a little strange, but it's the way I see things, nothing is ever completely, if at all, objective.

I did not like the pacing after the Krypton opening sequence. Once we arrive on Earth thins get jumbled up for awhile at the expense of pacing and flow. I respect that they did not want to follow the path already traveled, and that the flashback scenes did relate to the present of the character. Still, while some of the scenes were good ones, it felt like any momentum was ground to a halt.

Then there is the climax, which I did not like at all. I did not like what was done and it isn't just that, it shouldn't have even gotten to that point. Think about all the destruction that had happened up to that point, much caused by the hero acting without thinking about the people that must have gotten hurt or killed in the aftermath.

I could go on with things that I didn't like about the movie, but I won't as it would probably just feel like I am bashing it to bash on it.

In the end, the movie is a slam bang spectacle of special effects, science fiction, and destruction. I would be lying if I was not entertained. I would also be lying if I said I was averse to watching it again. However, to call it a good movie is way too much of a stretch. It is a mash of good and bad ideas simmered in an entirely too mediocre stew.

Not Recommended.