I feel that Man of Steel is a really good origin story and a very good film, though it might be leaning more towards a summer blockbuster action flick.
I see where most reviewers/critics might dislike the film but to me I felt the action was pretty good throughout the whole film and concluding the giant showdown that really won't give you a chance to breath for the last 30-40 minutes of the film. Just when you thought the explotion couldn't get any bigger, it does. And I think that is exactly what a Superman film should be, hell it should be what every DC movies should be outside of Batman. Everything has to be spectacular and over the top because DC heroes (especially those in JLA) are just that much more powerful than their Marvel counterpart. I can see where critics can get tired and feel like less is more, I simply disagree. This is a Superman we need and deserve. It was all good and actually felt like a Superman fight, just pure destruction.
From the beginning in Krypton, it felt already action packed. I didn't expect Crowes part to be as big as it was. Then it moves to Clark and his flashbacks and yes the pacing was rushed but it seemed dull at times to some but I like it mixed with some actions. I like the way Snyder did it with the flashbacks than the traditional way of simply putting it in a chronological form. It really something that I didn't feel I needed to sit for again, Snyders way give you some actions and feats while explaining what made Clark the way he is. My guess is it had to be rushed or else the film might be 3 hours long, a Directors Cut with an additional 20-25 minutes might make it better paced. Overall, the faster paced of jumping from one scene to the other could have been handled better but it is somewhat in tune with the pace of the whole film.
It also felt like this origin film delves deeper into Clark/Kal Els inner side, Costner was great as his dad and really delivered in the scenes he is a part of. I hate it that critics gives MoS a negative for missing the charming version of Reeves, Cavills isn't exactly dark and he has a bit of that charm when Lois was in the interrogation room with him but it is nice to see him be more emotional than Reeves more suave version. His screams and struggles are a nice touch, he isn't perfect and still working is way through it. Just the flying part, dude was genuinely happy to fly smiling from ear to ear, exactly how I (and most of us) would be if we all of a sudden were able to fly. Hell even his reaction to his heat vision was great, he has to shake it off every time he uses it. It is a nice change to how he adapts to his powers. And speaking of Cavill, he isn't perfect acting-wise but built-wise, he is the best Superman there is for sure. Acting did felt a bit more robotic at times but Cavill pulled it off.
Cavills Superman isn't exactly dark or really that gritty either, it is still Superman in essence, just not a portrayal of Reeves as most seem to want to see. I personally do not since we already saw that in SR. Cavills Superman isn't exactly Batman with a dark past, though he is an orphan as well but he did grow up with great parents and I think you see that. I think the darkest part is just Pa Kent dying and Kal snapping Zods neck in the end. Also felt that reaction in the end was great on Cavills part, with that scream you can feel the resentment. I wish Lois wasn't there though to try and comfort him right away. Small nitpick.
Shannon as Zod is harder to judge, I thought he looked intimidating but he felt more powerful in the trailers. He was still a good villain but Faora seemed more bad-*****. Shannon was still good though, I think. That final speech before the final throw down with Supes was good, I think it could have been delivered better though.
Crowe was great, surprisingly big role but he was very good.
Adams was ok as Lois, not perfect and she could have looked a bit better. You can see her age seeping through the screen, acting is on point but someone younger would have really been my choice after seeing the film. And speaking of Lois, her relationship with Clark is definitely different. I can see where the critics would not like it, it is a big change on how they meet but it isn't bad. I like it that it wasn't very sappy between the two though that random kiss could have been left out. I feel like it is a way to make you think everything is done so that Zod can be a bit of a surprise, didn't come off that way though. Not sure where the critics are saying there is no chemistry between Cavill and Adams (Clark & Lois) and that they do not interact enough, they were together on-screen more than enough. Overall, I like their relationship and the new take on it.
I was really impressed with the Krypton Snyder created, it is just stunning and I love it. My guess is from this point forward, this version of Krypton will be used in the comics more, it is simply amazing.
What I don't like, I hate, HATE it that Clark is just too casual with hie secret identity. it's like he just ignores his dads wishes when he just said that his dad died to protect his abilities from the public and dude just confesses to a priest. Then Lois finds out who he is right away (not bad since she is supposedly a Pulitzer Prized reporter) and just leads the cops of gave her a ride to Kents farm and you see Superman in full costume right there with Martha and TADAAAA!!!!! There he is Superman... in Kent farm... and the whole world knows Lois knows his true identity... Cover blown!
CGI was great but some parts did need some tweaking, some looked overly fake like I was watching Matrix Reloaded all over again.
I really do think the critics was very resistant with any change on the Superman story and just wants to see a retooling of Donner and Reeves version. I see it written all the time. I see what they are saying and understand that it is what they grew up with but I still managed to love this version. It isn't perfect, it is no TDK by any stretch but an new take on the origins of Superman it is and done well at that.
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and Henry=Superman
All I could think about during the fight scenes was Dragonball Z. They're VERY intense.
