Directed by Zack Snyder
Screenplay David S. Goyer
Story by David S. Goyer/Christopher Nolan
Superman created by Jerry Siegel, Joe Schuster
Producer: Christopher Nolan, Charles Roven, Deborah Snyder, Emma Thomas
Executive Producer: Jon Peters, Lloyd Phillips, Thomas Tull
Music by Hans Zimmer
Cinematography by Amir Mokri
Edited by David Brenner
Casting by Kristy Carlson, Lora Kennedy, Claire Simon
Production Design Alex McDowell
Art Direction: Vlad Bina, Chris Farmer, Aaron Haye, Dan Hermansen, Craig Jackson, Helen Jarvis, Kim Sinclair
Set Decoration by Anne Juljian
Costume Design by James Acheson, Michael Wilkinson
Starring:
Henry Cavill as Clark Kent/Kal-El
Amy Adams as Lois Lane
Michael Shannon as General Zod
Diane Lane as Martha Kent
Russell Crowe as Jor-El
Ante Traue as Faora-Ui
Harry Lennix as General Swanwick
Richard Schiff as Dr. Emil Hamilton
Christopher Meloni as Colonel Nathan Hardy
Kevin Costner as Jonathan Kent
Ayelet Zurer as Lara Lor-Van
Laurence Fishburne as Perry White
Dylan Sprayberry as Clark Kent (13-years-old)
Cooper Timberline as Clark Kent (9-years-old)
The “Man of Steel” had its NYC red carpet premiere last night, with the cast making their appearances. Outside of NYC, there were also advanced screenings of the upcoming film, of which I was able to attend the San Diego screening. I didn’t get my pass until 2:30pm, so it was a last minute notice.
Having grown up with the past renditions of Superman, from Christopher Reeve and Dean Cain, to Tom Welling and Brandon Routh, I came into the “Man of Steel” with high expectations, that it would carry on what the past had already done.
But that wasn’t the case. I felt the film distanced itself from any other rendition of the Superman stories that we all grew up with. Sure we get the origin of Superman, but through his eyes. We learn who he is, why he is, and where he came from.
The “Man of Steel” portrays more of the human aspect of the character. In the comic books and previous films, Superman is more “God-like”. I felt both characters, Clark Kent and Superman, were both very similar in this film. Maybe because we are learning more about his Kryptonian side at the same time as Clark Kent.
The film does have a lot of action sequences, with laser guns, bug-like spaceships, Kryptonians in heavy armor, and lots of explosions. All of these aspects are very common in the comic books, but I’m not used to it in the film.
I was skeptic when Henry Cavill was chosen for the role, but as I watched the film, he definitely sold the character of Clark Kent and Superman. I could see some essence of Tom Welling in him, as they had scenes of Clark growing up and dealing with his childhood, much like in “Smallville”. But as the film progressed and when Henry had the costume on, he definitely looked and acted the part.
The visual design of the Kryptonians, the ships, costumes, and planet, were very sci-fi, with very intricate and detailed designs. Throughout the film, I felt it had an influence from the “Gears of War”, “Mass Effect”, and “Aliens” franchises. I’m not used to all the heavy armor and laser rifles, I grew up with the long robes and “not of this world” designs of the past. I felt like the Kryptonians were violent people with the armor and laser rifles. I grew up with the people of Krypton as peaceful and humble people.
The film has an amazing cast!! I definitely enjoyed Kevin Costner as Jonathan Kent, playing a very emotional and powerful figure in Clark’s life. Amy Adams was great as Lois Lane, very modern and a believable character. Both Amy and Henry had great chemistry in the film as Lois and Superman. Russell Crowe as Jor-El? Maybe it was the armor, but I felt like he was about to hand Clark the sword of “Excalibur” or something.
But as Jor-El, Russell Crowe played a convincing character. Diane Lane as Martha Kent was just as amazing. Michael Shannon as General Zod, that guy played a very cold and souless villain. He nailed the role, although I kept thinking throughout the film that he looked like an international terrorist or something. Laurence Fishburne as Perry White, I didn’t see coming. Laurence is an amazing actor and I love all his work, especially “Boyz In The Hood”. His Perry White was on point and I could see him running a newspaper.
I read about how the film would not have the classic John Williams theme and I was disappointed to find out for myself that it wasn’t there. That is THE Superman theme and it wasn’t in this new version of the film. The score is so iconic, everyone knows it. But the film didn’t need it, seeing as how this is a different take on the Superman franchise.
J!-ENT MOVIE RATING: C