Space Jesus in Tights

My number one anticipated summer movie of 2013 finally opened in Japan yesterday, August 30 and I dropped everything I had to do and took a two-hour bus to watch this film in all its glory in IMAX. Man of Steel is a super clean reboot of the most recognized superhero of all time from DC Comics, Superman. It stars Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Michael Shannon and Russell Crowe. It also has the one of the best supporting cast ever with Kevin Costner, Laurence Fishburne, Ayelet Zurer and Diane Lane. The film is directed by one of the most stylish/coolest/visionary directors in Hollywood, Zack Snyder and produced by the man behind the mask behind the camera of The Dark Knight trilogy, Christopher Nolan. The trailers looked amazing especially the third trailer and I was beyond psyched to see this.

The story is about Clark Kent/Kal-El's beginning before donning the suit. It started from Krypton with Jor-El and Lara Lor Van, Kal-El's biological parents. Kal-El himself is already the special one and must be saved from the planet's destruction. He was sent to Earth and found by Jonathan and Martha Kent who raised him as their own child. In his early adult years, Clark went around to find himself and the meaning of his existence, until some fellow Kryptonian headed by General Zod, found him and unleashed his plan on Earth.

The first two-thirds of the film might be one of the best approach to show the origins of a superhero. It was filled with all the reasons that Clark will carry while donning his iconic cape. Best bits comes from Kevin Costner's Jonathan Kent and a few from Diane Lane's Martha Kent. While the human parents gave Clark a more down-to-Earth view on how should the boy grow up, Russell Crowe's Jor-El gave him the very reason on why he was sent there and how to put the powers to a good use for the people of Earth. Jor El's monologue, as heard on the teaser trailer, is definitely the best lines in the whole film. Henry Cavill nailed it as Kal-El/Superman. Not only he has the body, but the face and the coolness. Brandon Routh has the face and the quirky Clark Kent but not quite the body of Superman. But we still have to see Cavill as Clark in the next film. Amy Adams is also great as Lois Lane. It is only a shame that they kinda wasted Perry White, Jenny (Olsen?) and that Lombard guy. Michael Shannon is awesome as General Zod, although not comparable to Terrence Stamp's embodiment because it is a whole different take on the character. One of the stand outs is Antje Traue as Faora who's very badass and given all the cool, evil lines by scriptwriter David S. Goyer.

My only complaint was the last battle of Superman vs Zod which was destructive in every possible way. We did get some cool scenes there but is the whole destruction necessary? Even now Transformers: The Dark of the Moon's Chicago battle looked puny compared to Metropolis' carnage. It was a sensory overload at its very excessive. One thing that must be noted is the absence of Zack Snyder's trademark slow-mo fights scenes. He did that with an animated film about owls but not a Superman film? Honestly I was a bit disappointed with that but in return we had a super gritty and brutal fight scenes, especially the one in Smallville with Faora looking super badass and that big Kryptonian beating up Superman. Hans Zimmer's score is amazing although sometimes lost in the overwhelming massiveness of the battle on screen. The docu-style is definitely new to Snyder and I must applaud him for trying something new. And that docu-style is a plus point too because it made the film distinguished from other normal superhero films. The look of the film is also cool courtesy of DoP Amir Mokri. Moreover, you just got to love the Jesus imagery in this film. And, helloooo: best ending ever, Clark! Definitely looking forward to Batman vs Superman or whatever it is going to be called. Although I have to suggest to tone down the destruction meter. I might be super-subjective to this film but who cares, Man of Steel: rated 4/4

Casting suggestions for Man of Steel 2/Batman vs Superman:

- As much as I loved Bryan Cranston, I'd have a younger Lex Luthor ala Michael Rosenbaum of Smallville. I've seen some posts around the Internet and I'd say yes to Jason Clarke or Jason Isaacs. There are some interesting suggestions like Jude Law, he could do it but I may need some convincing. But definitely not Cranston or Mark Strong

- Now, a role that would be perfect for Cranston is Commissioner Gordon, as heard in the animated Batman: Year One. That would be beyond great.


Coming in September: The Wolverine, Elysium, and a summer recap.
The Wolverine opens in Japan September 13
Elysium opens September 20
The summer re-cap should follow The Wolverine or Elysium