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Man Of Steel

MAN OF STEEL

With Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Michael Shannon, Russell Crowe

Written by David S. Goyer, Christopher Nolan (based on characters created by Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster)

Directed by Zack Snyder

Director Snyder has made some amazing movies, from 300 and Watchmen to Sucker Punch – always visually intense and creative. So when it came to reinvention of the Superman franchise (again - with an origins theme most superhero movies seem set following), I had high hopes. This was even more boosted by a frenzied fan friend who couldn't get enough of this one, catching it about a dozen times in theatre(!)
So, when I finally got to see it, I was quite disappointed that I found the whole experience rather underwhelming... Sure, it was laden with spectacular special effects, great care was taken to stay true to the mythology and the actors delved deep to draw emotion from their performances in what is essentially a comic book movie... but I found it all a bit too laborious and drawn out. But for undying fans of Superman, this is spot-on, as you're taken from his infant escape from his destroyed planet to where he is found and raised on earth by a couple – his powers are undeniable and is turned to fighting for righteousness on our planet from domestic and alien threats alike.

I grew up with the '70 reboot of Christopher Reeves', and still love it, but it's not a case of old-school / new-school comparison. To me this feels a lot like the recent Amazing Spider-Man resurrection – it's a bit too soon after the previous reinterpretation. This doesn't feel like it is as effective as the new Batman movies.

Man Of Steel writer David S. Goyer worked with Batman reboot director Christopher Nolan (also a producer here) on this story. Goyer went from writing low budget Horror movies for the Band brothers' Full Moon Productions (like Puppet Master and Dollman) to writing the first few Blade movies, and eventually the huge Batman trilogy with Nolan (a Superman-Batman project also coming up).

So, is Man Of Steel more hype than substance? I wouldn't say that. I think its just a case of super hero overdose.

3 / B
- Paul Blom


0 1 2 3 4 5 6
- A
- B - C


Click cover image below for more Superman

Superman

 




never let a review decide for you, but for those who need a rating, see the Flamedrop scale below
6 - Volcanic
5 - Blistering
4 - Hot
3 - Smolder
2 - Room Temperature
1 - Fizzled
0 - Extinguished

A: Multi-Viewing Potential

B: Could Enjoy A 2nd Look

C: Once Should Suffice



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