Superman: Man of Steel Review
As many of you might have heard, “Superman” the comic book hero featured in DC comics publications has appeared in many films since his inception, but have you seen the latest one?
Let’s go back in time, the first ever Superman called Superman and the Mole Men was released in 1951. Later on film producers known by the name of Alexander Salkind, Pierre Spengler and Ilya Juan Salkind Dominguez purchased Superman film rights in 1974 and after rewriting numerous scripts, a well known director by the name of Richard Donner was hired to direct the film. He filmed both Superman and Superman II simultaneously. Superman came out in 1978 and Superman II in 1980. Donner loved thinking ahead and had already shot 80% of Superman II before it was decided to finish shooting the first film. The Salkinds fired Donner after Superman's release for unknown personal reasons, and hired Richard Lester as the director to finish Superman II. Lester also returned for Superman III which came out in 1983. Later, the Salkinds further produced the 1984 spin-off, Supergirl before selling the rights to Cannon Films, resulting in Superman IV: The Quest for Peace which came out in 1987. With over 15 years of development for a fifth Superman film, Superman Returns, an alternate sequel to Superman and Superman II directed by Bryan Singer, was released in 2006, along with Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut. Despite the disappointing financial results of Superman Returns, Warner Bros. rebooted the film series, giving it a summer release in June of 2013. Zack Snyder directed the movie, titled Man of Steel, with David S. Goyer writing and Christopher Nolan producing.
Many of us went into theaters not expecting much when Man of Steel first came out. No one ever thought that it would be any where near as good as the ones made back in the day. However, Man of Steel did not disappoint being the only Superman movie that raised almost seven hundred million dollars worldwide.
The cast included Henry Cavill, the first British actor to play the character as Clark Kent who in the movie is earth's greatest protector, A.K.A. Superman. Amy Adams as Lois Lane who plays a reporter for the Daily Planet newspaper and Clark Kent’s love interest and although not many know, Amy Adams was selected from a list of actresses that included Olivia Wilde and Mila Kunis. Michael Shannon plays General Zod who is the Kryptonian general and evil villain with the same superpowers as Superman. Lastly but not least, Kevin Costner and Diane Lane as Jonathan and Martha Kent; the adoptive parents of Superman.
As far as the plot is concerned, Man of Steel seems to be two films instead of one. Film number one has Supeman being born on the dying planet named Krypton and being packed into a spacepod by his father A.K.A Russell Crowe and sent off to Earth. Once he lands on earth, the film slips back and forth in time. We see Superman being raised on a Kansas farm by his adoptive parents and being confused and upset by his unsettling powers. Always looking slightly upset with the human race, he wonders whether he should let the world know how super he really is, and whether he'll become an outcast or a god in the process. That’s about it for film one. Film number two gets going halfway through Man Of Steel with the arrival of a Kryptonian called General Zod that comes looking for him. The General launches an alien invasion planning to take over planet earth. However with the help of his fellow lover and reporter, who becomes the main victim and is captivated by the aliens, Superman finds a way to destroy the general (after numerous battles), save the love of his life and save planet earth.
The movie also received a lot of feedback and everyone had their own opinion. Some claimed that the movie was simply “endless declamation” and “endless violence” while others claimed that it was a“refreshing reboot to a franchise that was in desperate need of it”. At the end of the day, the good out outshines the bad and Superman; “Man Of Steel” is definite success that’s worth your time and money!
Toronto - August 2013
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Razvan Munteanu 8/9/2013 |
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