A Review of Man of Steel by Someone Who Actually Saw the Movie.

    After reading the reviews of Man of Steel and then finally going to see Man of Steel (my superpower is not letting mediocre reviews keep me away from movies) I really have to wonder if the people who reviewed the movie professionally actually watched the movie or if they knew anything about this “Super-man” that was featured in it. (My personal favorite “jab” was the one saying that there were “no glasses” in this movie, the iconic disguise, when, yep... they were in there.)

    You all know the plot by know, strange visitor sent from a dying planet realizes he’s got powers. This version does a unique thing of actually showing Kal-El/Superman/Clark using his superpowers within the first half an hour of the movie, rather than waiting for Tony Stark to build the damn suit, the spider to bite someone, or Batman’s parents die already. (which is pretty dark when you think about it.)

    This adds another layer by making Kal-El/Clark a bit of an outcast because of his powers, rather than the typical, all-American boy that everyone knows and loves. I liked the change. I like the narrative hopping back and forth so we weren’t just getting a straight out origin story of how he discovered his powers, but the complicated origin story of why he decided to help people. Of course, a giant space ship coming down and the megalomaniac alien on board saying he’s going to destroy the planet if you don’t come forward is a pretty good reason to come forward.

    Other reviews talk about how dark this film is... it actually kind of isn’t. Despite the overwhelming odds against him, including his own people shooting at him, Superman does the right thing and still believes in helping people. There’s a great message about wanting to save the day and using your powers for good.

    The actor are incredible, Henry Cavill embodies what Superman should be, and Amy Adams will make you wonder why there was ever another Lois Lane cast. She’s the perfect Lois Lane, and makes the movie as much about her as it is about Superman. And of course Michael Shannon is an excellent General Zod by way of Michael Shannon. 30 Odd Foot Grunts Frontman Russell Crowe IS Jor-El, playing him with a bit more of a an action role, which is pretty freaking awesome. The one stand-out not really mentioned in a lot of reviews is Laurence Fishburne as Perry White. While this is a minor role, there’s one scene at the end that really embodies what it means to be this character as the soul of the city. He does it.

    Also, for spoilers, there’s one major change at the end to the Superman mythos, but it corrects a long-standing joke. You’ll know it when you see it, but I liked it. A lot. I don’t think it changes anything about Superman or the story itself.

    So, should see it? Absolutely. This is one of the best movies of the summer (Along with Star Trek Into Darkness and the Great Gatsby), and in general is a great Superman movie. Take it from a real Superman fan who’s researched Superman and actually sat through the movie.

    Man of Steel: Five Shakespeare Mustaches out of Five.