L'Homme d'acier

This movie was dishonestly mauled by critics and reviewers simply because it was directed by Snyder. Watching this again in 2020, I have to say this will go down as a classic in years to come. It's an absolute blast from start to finish and is one of the most loyal adaptations and faithful to the Superman lore found in DC comics. One of its greatest achievements was the magnificent depiction of Krypton and giving Zod the gravitas and motivation that he lacked in Superman II. You felt empathy for him. Shannon was outstanding in his portrayal of Zod; up there with Ledger's Joker.

I remember people actually complained about the level of destruction in this movie and the excessive use of special effects, but for me this is what makes a Superman movie. Take off your nostalgia tinted glasses and watch this with an open mind. This is the greatest Superman movie bar none.

Here, eleven years after this movie released, I have changed my mind about this movie. In the last eleven years, we have seen so many others DCEU and MCU superheroe movies, with one would or could connect to the other, making us assume or create some fan theories, about what happened and what will happen next.

For example, I think Infinity War and End Game were the peak MCU, everything after that the storyline kinda made up. While DCEU to be honest never even started. The connection between one another felt forced.

But this movie, can be a standalone movie. No need of sequel or prequel, it's already a great movie about a man.

Every essential you need to he a superhero is fulfilled. The background, the struggle, the realization, principles. Everything. It's a perfect superhero movie.

Initially I rated 7, but now it's a solid 9.

Man of Steel is just one star below the original Superman, and that is the highest score I have ever given a superhero film. I also gave Iron Man a 7, as well as Joker a 7. I have always thought Joker was more interesting than Batman, which I gave a 6.

Crowe's Jor-El is better than Brando for one thing, but I prefer the original Superman, Christopher Reeves over Henry Cavill by a fairly large margin. The original Lois Lane was better, as well, since Margot Kidder was more vulnerable. Perry Black is amusing, however. There was no Jimmy Olsen, which was a bit of a drawback; or if there was, he wasn't noticeable. And I believed Glenn Ford more than Kevin Costner as dad, although Costner did a good job.

The CGI is outstanding in the new one, as well it should be after forty years. The cinematography is very good as well. The pacing was a bit slow, and, of course, I am being sarcastic. Fitting two Superman films in one film requires almost the speed of light.

The writing is first-rate, as well as the Hans Zimmer music.

General Zod is done very well, and is superior to the original Zod. All in all, a very nice production.

Man of Steel gets more hate than it deserves, and honestly, I don't get it. Snyder knew exactly what he was doing, this wasn't about bright colors and corny speeches. This was Superman dragged through a philosophy class, set on fire, and launched into a midair fistfight with a war criminal. The action was brutal in the best way, like watching gods beat each other into drywall for two and a half hours. And say what you want about the chaos, but visually? It slapped. The fight choreography was insane, the effects still hold up, and the destruction felt earned. When Zod and Superman leveled half of Metropolis, it wasn't just noise, it was inevitability. This was what it should feel like when titans go to war.

And yeah, you could feel Nolan's touch in the pacing. The flashbacks, the quiet tension, the weight of Clark trying to figure out who the hell he is. It wasn't a cartoon. It was a guy raised in Kansas trying not to vaporize people every time someone cut him off in traffic. Cavill was solid, not quirky, not chatty, just tired and trying, which made him way more interesting than the clean-cut boy scout we're used to. Zimmer's score deserves its own star rating. The whole thing felt like a reboot that finally took Superman seriously without sucking the fun out of it. Eight stars, easy. Let the purists cry. This one held up.

The origins of the movie and the main character is fantastic. Only downside to the movie is that Lois lane is involved a little to much for my liking. Understanding and learning his powers, who he chooses to be while taking on General Zod and the other kryptonians is a tall task. I really appreciate this movie and Henry Cavill better than Christopher Reeves hands down.