In a time when Marvel had been setting the stage and defining the superhero genre, Warner Bros stepped up to the growing competition; throwing their hat in the ring with their most popular character. At that point, people wanted the Marvel filter, especially from a character like Superman. Ultimately, it was Zack Snyder's daring vision, a brilliant piece of art at the wrong time, that led to it's lackluster reception; dooming all possibility from said point on to build to something greater with WB executives breathing down his neck. Had this been released a couple years ago instead, even today, this film alone would have given Marvel a run for their money. This is a quality superhero film, something very rarely seen these days. It's absolutely criminal how poorly it was received at the time, but my hopes is in the new era of the upcoming DCU with David Corenswet, James Gunn takes cues from this masterpiece for its tone, atmosphere, biblical telling of the worlds greatest superhero.
When I first heard of this movie being made, I in the middle of watching the hit CW show Smallville; as a young child falling in love with Superman, you can probably gather just how exited I was. Every image released, every trailer, every piece of news I could find I was there and waiting for the day this would release.
I went to watch this film as a freshman in high school on opening day; my friend and I had the day off. We got the best seats, ultimate features at our top local theatre. I was even feeling incredibly ill that day, but nothing was stopping me from watching my second favourite superhero come to life on the big screen (as a DC fan, there's an obvious first 🦇).
Like so many people at the time, I left the theatre disappointed, disheartened and feeling betrayed. The Superman I grew up with, the boy scout from Kansas that beamed optimism, positivity and hope.. Was turned into this dark, heavy murderer. I had just come out of Smallville, previously having watched the Reeve films and the Routh returns. Needless to say, I was an echo chamber of the hundreds who said "Not my Superman".
Rewatching this today, after a decade, I can say with full confidence that I was wrong. This film does have it's flawed moments, but it showcases itself as a refreshing glass of water in a genre of milk. I am so pleased to stand corrected, as I can confidently say that this is the best film of the DCEU. Like I cannot express this enough, we live in a reality where superhero films are theme park rides. This, like The Dark Knight and Joker, is an art piece.
Looking to the future for this character, we will see. Superman may be this bright and optimistic character that brings hope, but the Man of Steel delivers an artistic telling of a hero set in a grounded world filled with gods.
