MAN OF STEEL (2013 - SUPERHERO / ACTION) **** out of *****
(Andrew Garfield, this role should have been yours...)
CAST: Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Russell Crowe, Kevin Costner, Diane Lane, Antje Trauer, Michael Shannon, Christopher Meloni, Ayelet Zurer.
DIRECTORS: Zack Snyder
WARNING: Some SPOILERS and one refreshingly dark and intense Superman - straight ahead....
IT'S LIKE THIS: These days, you can't hock a loogie in any direction without hitting at least three Superhero-Reboot flicks. First, we had BATMAN BEGINS in 2005, wherein brooding Christian Bale and Christopher Nolan saved the Batman franchise from the Seventh Circle Of Kitsch Hell that Joel Schumacher dropped it in. Had it not been for Messrs Bale and Nolan, the Batman Franchise would still be languishing amidst the rotting remains of Poison Ivy's fungi-green bustier and Robin's codpiece and Lord knows how many batsuit nipples.
Then, in 2012, the Spiderman franchise was brought back to its roots (some say unnecessarily) with THE AMAZING SPIDERMAN and given a less comic-book feel, and more of a real-world vibe. Plus, it introduced the amazing Andrew Garfield and his endless talents to the whole world. Garfield had already been wowing folks on a smaller scale in BOY A and NEVER LET ME GO - but THE AMAZING SPIDERMAN is the flick wherein he truly takes a bow in front of the Planet.
Then there are the plans to reboot the FANTASTIC FOUR movies. Never mind that there was absolutely nothing wrong with the two that came out just a few years ago. And let me just go on record and say that whoever they choose to play Johnny Storm can never even come close to topping Chris Evans. Hmmm... somehow that sounded dirtier than I intended. Because if anyone should top anyone else, it should be Chris Evans doing the topping. Hmmm.... somehow that sounded even dirtier, but at least more appropriate since Chris Evans should always be on top. Hmmmm... Nope, still dirty. Whatever.
Anyhow, with all this reboot mania going around, it was only a matter of time until folks dusted off another moribund superhero franchise - and try to sexify it with new blood (and pecs). This time, the Reboot Machine has placed the Superman mythos in its crosshairs - and has pulled the trigger with a vengeance. Of course, given that the last Superman flick was the decent but largely unremarkable SUPERMAN RETURNS from 2006, that was kind of a no-brainer. And since the aforementioned Mr. Christopher "The Dark Side Is Kind Of Cool" Nolan is producing this reboot, you just know we're not going to see Lex Luthor cracking stupid jokes anywhere in sight.
The flick is titled MAN OF STEEL, lest anyone get it confused with any of the other Superman sagas that came before. This time, Superman is played by Henry Cavill, who has got hairy pecs to die for and certainly looks the part of Superman. However, as hot as Henry C. is, I couldn't help but feel that this role should have gone to Andrew Garfield, who could've played this more conflicted and brooding Superman in his sleep. Of course, you would argue, Andy G. can't exactly place Spiderman and Superman at the same time, can he? My response: why the hell not? No offense to Mr. Cavill, who is okay in the role, but Andy G. would've won an Oscar if he'd donned the cape. Just saying...
Anyhow, casting preferences aside, we know we are in for a different Superman because this one is not like the dull, goodie-goodies of the past. This one believes in payback. For example: (1) he uses his laser eyes to heat a doorknob and burn the hand of a teacher who is seriously annoying him; (2) he takes the truck of an loutish trucker - and impales it on several dozen towering redwoods; and (3) he dispatches the villain at the end in such a controversial way that World War Whatever has broken out among the fanboys. In short, Kal-El/Superman is a bit more of a bad-ass this time. Which is absolutely okay in my book.
Just like the previous Superman stories, Kal-El (Superman's real name) is jettisoned from his dying home planet, Krypton, by his ultra-hot dad, Jor-El (Russell Crowe). Jor-El is being thwarted by the jackass General Zod (Michael Shannon), but manages to outwit the choad and send Kal-El off into space in some high-tech life-pod. Cue the explosion of Krypton and everyone else on it. Off course, General Zod and his cronies just conveniently get sent into the some place called The Phantom Zone just before Krypton goes tits up. Is that supposed to be punishment?
Cut back to baby Kal-El, who lands on Earth and is found and adopted by Jonathan and Martha Kent (Kevin Costner and Diane Lane). They christen him "Clark" - and try to raise him like their own blood. However, they know their adopted son is "special" - primarily because he, you know, crash-landed on Earth in some high-tech space pod. Oh, and the fact that he can lift an entire school bus with a single arm is another clue that he ain't your average red-blooded American boy. Jonathan counsels Clark to hide his powers, because most humans are convenient assholes who persecute those more talented than the norm. And to say Clark Kent is talented is like saying that Einstein was kind of smart.
Clark ends up going on the road to "find himself." This leads him to an itinerant life where he performs good deeds to those who need it. Unfortunately, his latest good deed is what just might threaten to expose his "talents" to the world. This time, he saves driven and determined reporter Lois Lane (Amy Adams) from a grisly death. You see, Lois has arrived in some remote Alaskan glacier to investigate some mysterious object buried deep in the ice. It just so happens that Clark is there, too, impersonating a contractor because he believes the object is tied in to his past.
Before you know it, Lois is trying to find out the identity of her enigmatic savior. Being the bloodhound writer/photographer that she is, she immediately sniffs out a trail of urban legends that tell about a mysterious hot guy with superhuman strength who likes to save people. Soon, she has traced the source of the stories to their point of origin: the Kent farm. There, she meets Martha Kent and Mr. Hottie himself. Clark requests that Lois drop her investigation of him, to protect his mother. Lois, realizing that Clark looks even hotter in person, says "sure, why not?" Way to think from between your legs, Lois.
Meanwhile, while Clark and Lois have been getting to know one another better, General Zod and his flunkies have managed to escape the Phantom Zone - and are making a beeline for Earth. Upon arrival, General Zod sends a message heard around the world, demanding that Kal-El/Superman surrender immediately. Zod states that if he doesn't get what he wants in 24 hours, the world is basically sawdust and car parts. Talk about putting pressure on a guy...
So... will Clark Kent/Kal-El/Superman surrender to Zod to save the Earth? What does Zod want from Clark anyway? And how will Lois protect him? Or is she the one who needs protecting? What happens when Zod and Superman duke it out in the middle of Metropolis? What's going to happen to all that real estate? Are the people of Metropolis insured against "Superhero Battle Damage?"
Let's hope so...
BUT, SERIOUSLY: Out of all the superheroes in the pantheon, Superman is the one who is the most clean-cut and "not of this Earth." Unlike Batman and his alter-ego Bruce Wayne, or Spiderman and his alter-ego Peter Parker who are humans with special abilities and/or tools, Kal-El is a being from another planet with god-like powers. The challenge, then, is how to make Superman relatable to average folks.
The original SUPERMAN film in 1978 that introduced Christopher Reeve had a child-like sense of wonder combined with a classic coming of age story about a boy finding his bearings and becoming a man. SUPERMAN RETURNS in 2006 turned Clark Kent/Kal-El into a Christ-like figure who sacrificed himself for mankind and was a symbol for good. Unfortunately, the film didn't portray his struggles with coming to terms with his greater purpose - he simply accepted it. That doesn't necessarily translate to compelling cinema. As a result, SUPERMAN RETURNS is often labeled as too genteel and almost bland.
Fotunately, MAN OF STEEL decides to emphasize Clark's dilemma: pursue his destiny and be a leader for humanity, as decreed by his natural father, Jor-El; or hide his other-worldly nature and try to blend in with the people of Earth, as advised by his adoptive father, Jonathan Kent. This conundrum is what forms the emotional core of the film, and the bonds between these two fathers and their common son is the fulcrum that propels the story forward. This decision to portray Clark's grapples with his super abilities is what gives MAN OF STEEL the drawing power that SUPERMAN RETURNS didn't have.
As Clark's two fathers, Russell Crowe and Kevin Costner bring good old-fashioned star power to the proceedings. Crowe gives Jor-El a solid gravity that practically burns through the screen. In comparison, Marlon Brando in the same role in the 1978 film was a bit of a lightweight. Costner is also ideally cast as Jonathan Kent, and perfectly exemplifies Middle American decency and goodness. At its heart, MAN OF STEEL is love story between fathers and sons, and Crowe and Costner make exceptional fathers to one very special son.
Diane Lane is her wonderfully expressive self as Martha Kent., Clark's adoptive mother. Her almost empathic abilities as an actress come into great use in her scenes with Clark growing up, and then later when Clark is an adult and still needing guidance that neither of his dead fathers can provide at that point. Ayelet Zurer is also good as Lara, Kal-El's natural mother. She probably gets the least amount of screen time than the other parents, but she makes the most of it.
As for the heroine of MAN OF STEEL, Amy Adams delivers probably the best interpretation of Lois Lane, to date. Growing up, Lois Lane was one my favorite characters, but the earlier films fumbled her presentation. In the Christopher Reeve movies, she was kind of a ditz. In SUPERMAN RETURNS, she was better written, but was portrayed by Kate Bosworth, an actress who was far too young to be believable as a worldly, intense, and sophisticated photojournalist. In MAN OF STEEL, Adams finally brings Lois Lane into the 21st century and makes her believably tough, intelligent, resourceful, and human.
Michael Shannon & Antje Trauer are solid as the villains, General Zod and Foura-Il. Shannon portrays the best kind of baddie: one who doesn't think he is bad - but believes his own agenda is just as worthy as that of the good guy. This makes him more fathomable and compelling than a one-dimensional villain. Trauer also makes for a formidable associate. Fortunately, the script gives her more than enough room to make her mark on the story. Laurence Fishburne and Christopher Meloni are similary impressive in supporting turns.
And last but not the least is Clark Kent/Kal-El/Superman himself. The big question is does Henry Cavill cut it as the new Man of Steel? The short answer is "Yes." However, is he the best Superman ever? The short answer is "No." Christopher Reeve still holds that title with his combo of boyishness and gravity. Cavill is okay as this new interpretation of a darker, more human Superman. But there seems to be something missing in his portrayal. He hits all the right notes, but that intangible "something" that propels a good performance to the next level and makes it a timeless one is missing.
Unlike Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker in Spiderman, who took a role and made it unforgettably his own, Cavill is merely competent - but not commanding. He looks the part and acquits himself well, but I keep thinking of what it would have been like with someone of Andrew Garfield's emotional transparency and soulful caliber in the role. Obviously, Garfield is already known as Spiderman and is committed to that franchise, but in my opinion, he would have been perfect for the darker, more intense, and heartbreakingly human Superman of MAN OF STEEL. Had Garfield (or someone like him) played Clark Kent in MAN OF STEEL, the film would have rated even higher.
In the end, though, Cavill is good enough. He doesn't hurt the film, and it remains an interesting departure from the typical Superman chronicle. Despite the uproar MAN OF STEEL has caused with loyal fans, old and new, with its out-of-the-box portrayal of Superman, the fact remains that it is a very good film - and anticipation is already high for the inevitable sequel.
