Saturday, June 15, 2013

Man of Steel.....!!!!!!!!!


Okay short disclaimer. I will try to keep this as spoiler free as possible for people that have not seen it, but I will be sharing my views. Also I will try not to make it too long, but I may gush about a few times.

One of my earliest memories is of me in my Superman PJs—cape included— jumping off of things pretending I could fly. So I knew if I was going to review the movie I watched Friday morning honestly, I have to think on it as two different people. The Superman fan, and the movie fan.

So I did the only thing rational there was to do...I went and saw it again today.

I had three fears going into this movie.

Lois Lane: I love Amy Adams, but I was worried she would not be the Lois I wanted to have in a movie since I saw Margot Kidder play her in the 1978 version with Christopher Reeves.

So in my opinion how did she do? Far surpassed my expectations. This to me will be the Lois I now set my standards by. She was smart and had emotion and never felt like she was waiting around to be rescued, even when she needed to be.

Clark Kent: If there is a Superman there must be a Clark Kent. He is Superman's mask in some ways and the real person he is in others. If Brandon Routh got one thing right in Returns it was his Clark. 

So how did it go? I don't want to spoil anything so I will say this. The jury of my mind is still out on this one.

The action: If there is one thing a reboot gives us is a chance for technology to try and aid in the story telling. To bring things from our imagination to life. It is so important that what happens aids the story and doesn't pull us out when we see it.

So how did they manage? This movie had the best action scenes from not only any comic movie I have ever seen, but from any movie I have ever watched. The CGI blended with the live action so seamlessly I couldn't tell you in parts which was which. Truly above anything else this movie's portrayal of the action was stunning beyond belief. It was heavy and real and had lasting consequences. 

So was it all good? Well for me there are two glaring moments that when I watched them the first time kind of hurt me. I don't want to spoil anything so I will say it like this. The "handling" of Jonathan Kent, really bugged me. Also there is a scene at the end and when you watch it you will know of what I speak. This was pulled from a comic so it isn't without merit, but the way they did it just had me shaking my head. 

As I watched it the second time, it was eased some since the shock had worn off and I feel it doesn't change my views of this movie.

So as a whole what did I think? This movie is the movie I have been waiting on. If you are a comic fan or a fan of the TV shows and movies there are so many little shout outs to what has come before. Including a scene that shows the space ship from the Donner movies in a retelling of the history of Krypton. I am not a DC fan or a Marvel fan. I am a comic fan and a movie fan. If I was asked to be honest I would say this movie has set the bar high for what can be done with a comic adaptation. I watched Avengers twice in theaters and I watched it once a day for a week after I bought the Blu-ray. Still it didn't hit an emotional core inside of me that this movie manages.

There is a scene where Superman is floating above the military. This image of him floating is not some new idea, but the way it was shot was nothing short of a masterpiece. There is another scene in which Superman has to overcome something that should have defeated him. When the music comes in and you see his determination it just fills you with emotion.

I recommend this movie to everyone. There is some language, so if you have small kids be aware of it, it is very little. I will probably go and see it again since I enjoyed it even more the second time around.

Once again I believe a man can fly.


28 comments:

  1. Saw it early Friday afternoon and really enjoyed it. I liked the serious, darker angle of the film. Been a DC fan for years and had no problem with how the movie handled the character or story.
    Now - where is my JLA movie?

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    1. They say it is coming one can only hope.

      Yeah I agree, it was the right amount of dark, not Batman dark, but more than any before it and I think it gave the story weight it needed.

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  2. Thanks for sharing the movie, Brandon. I enjoyed watching all the earlier Superman movies and TV series with my sons. It was great to hear your thoughts on the updated version.

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    1. My pleasure. I am really glad it is doing so well.

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  3. I love Amy Adams. I didn't know she's Lois Lane.

    Love,
    Janie

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  4. Cool! I saw the trailer before Into Darkness and it looked fab, even tho I was wondering why thy did a reboot on it. I love the old Reeve Superman films--grew up with them so I'm biased, of course. But this new one did look super enticing. Glad it doesn't disappoint.
    So with the "handling" of Kent would you mean Costner's acting?? He's prolly my least fave actor ever. Just rubs me the wrong way, even tho he did some decent films.

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    1. I am as well since I loved those movies so much. They did a reboot so they could usher in other DC characters and create a DC franchise in movies.

      Comics are an always changing thing and I think it is good to examine the characters ever so often to see new angles on them. I loved this version as much as the CR movies.

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  5. Oh as far a Costner, I thought he did a great job as Jonathon. It is more a particular scene I am speaking off. I preferred other versions of this moment much better for a very strong reason. Still an amazing movie.

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  6. Although I'm a comic fan, I do not automatically rush out and see every comic book related movie. Having said that, I'll probably see this one on your recommendation. Thanks.

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    1. I hope you enjoy it, all I can say is keep an open mind going in and you should have fun.

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  7. i am tiptoeing on this, i want to say i loved it for many reasons and hated only one thing... it passed as a great film that i will be watching for a few years and the sequel will happen i am sure.

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    1. Yeah, they got the sequel in works and it seems it is already spawning the JLA film many of us want. I agree it is not a total love fest, but the majority of my mind does love it.

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  8. I just heard all about this from my son today. He said that after all those supposed terrific movies leaving him flat lately, he was happy that this one was really good. So I guess I'll be needing to go to the movies soon :)

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  9. I'll watch it. Thanks for the review.

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  10. I'd like to see this movie. It sounds like a pretty good one, based on your review.

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    1. It was really good. I think most people will really enjoy it.

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  11. So glad you enjoyed the movie, Brandon. You did an excellent job reviewing it, because you included some of the parts that were not to your liking. Thanks for sharing it with us.

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  12. Hey,

    Loved your last sentence and I think if the producers see it, they will be like, "YES!"

    Thanks for an honest and entertaining review:)

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    1. Glad you enjoyed it. Yeah I always loved that line.

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  13. I have yet to see MoS, I'm dying!!! (to see it, not literally, I mean.. ok) I cannot wait! Great review, you didn't give anything away but it did make me more excited to go :D

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    1. Glad I got you excite. Hope you enjoy the movie when you get to see it. I'm thinking of watching it again this weekend.

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