Saturday, June 29, 2013
Found this while searching for a photo to accompany this week's review. Pretty cool retrospective.
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| Photo: IFC |
Man Of Steel
(M)
IT’S been
seven years since we thought our Kryptonian superhero was back to save Earth
for the long haul – but while that didn’t work out, to the delight of both
Superman and superhero genre fans he wandered into the hands and minds of
Christopher Nolan and David S Goyer.
The producer
and screenwriter, with Watchmen’s
Zack Snyder on board as director, sought to present a Superman story in a
modern world. There’s no Lex Luthor, and he’s no spring chicken, brought to us
as a 33-year-old with serious identity issues.
Kal-El/Clark
Kent (Brit Henry Cavill) is a wanderer, moving from job to job without a sense
of purpose. He is in control of his superpowers, and in times of need doesn’t
hide them.
He
eventually discovers a vessel that helps him learn about where he comes from,
catching the attention of roving reporter Lois Lane (Amy Adams) and General Zod
(Michael Shannon).
Zod is a
warrior designed to save the Kryptonian race, matched with Superman in powers
but opposed in views on how to relocate their people. Michael Shannon is
delightfully evil in the role, a determined Kryptonian with a haunted past of
his own.
Zod first invades Metropolis in a chilling scene, made to feel relevant and real as we continue to wonder in reality whether we are alone in the universe. Juxtaposed with beautifully ethereal flashback scenes to Clark's childhood, it's unsettling as we see one man's struggle to do good.
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| A beautiful image... |
Kal-El is no Bruce Wayne though; although with its dark moments, Superman's story is one of inspiration as he comes to discover and know his destiny.
Not based on
ideas from any particular comic book or previous adaptation, the team has
tweaked Superman’s story to good effect. The inclusion of Zod makes for a great
story to challenge the hero in his early days in office.
Cavill, with
big shoes to fill, is solid (in every sense of the word). His Kal-El is
curious, his Clark gentle and Superman a hero sure of his purpose. Russell
Crowe gives father Jor-El authority, while Adams is feisty as the clued-up
Lois.
The minds of
Nolan, Goyer and Snyder are made for this kind of material. While not hitting
the heights (/expectations) of The Dark
Knight Rises, it’s a sturdy start to their new journey - a bridge to rich
potential of exposing Superman to a new generation.
*Published in the Daily Liberal (Dubbo), Western Advocate (Bathurst), Parkes Champion Post and Midstate Observer (Orange) from Saturday 29/6/2013
MISSED LAST WEEK'S REVIEW? See what I thought of World War Z.
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