Fight or flight

Back in 2006, the attempt to reboot the Superman franchise seemed like a sure bet. Comic book movies had been growing in popularity and this film was being directed by a man who had already successfully kick-started a different comic book movie franchise. And yet despite all the things it had going for it, Superman Returns never really took flight. There were several theories as to why it didn't catch on with the public. Some went as far as to say that perhaps a good Superman movie was impossible given the dramatic limitations associated with his character.

Fast forward to 2012 where Marvel sees huge success with The Avengers film. Not to be outdone, DC Comics became dead set on making a Justice League movie, in order to have their own successful film featuring a group of superheroes. But for that to happen, they need to once again re-establish the characters individually. Enter Man of Steel, the latest attempt at establishing the Superman franchise.

Once again, we begin with a telling of the familiar story of how Kal-El was sent to Earth, Smallville, Kansas to be exact, because his home planet is on the brink of extinction. Superman's father, Jor-El (Russell Crowe), struggles with the decision to send his son away while also dealing with the treasonous General Zod (Michael Shannon), who differs philosophically from him on how the future of Krypton should be handled. The end result is General Zod being sent away to a limbo prison known as the Phantom Zone; this confinement is short-lived, however, as the destruction of Krypton enables Zod to become free

The film hits its stride as the scene shifts to Earth and focuses on Kal-El, now Clark Kent, and his upbringing. The film takes a non-linear approach to show how Clark has struggled with being different from everyone else, yet unable to show this to the world. Kevin Costner playing Clark's Earth father Jonathan is excellent in his scenes. He adds an emotional heft to his scenes that almost make it feel like he's in a different movie than everyone else. You feel the struggles he goes through to give protect Clark from the rest of the world while also protecting the rest of the world from Clark. The other interesting thing about this portion of the film is the decision to make Clark a wandering loner once he becomes an adult. Unsure of who he is or why he's different, Clark migrates from one town to the next hoping to avoid arousing suspicion. I like the Bruce Banner/Hulk approach they take to depicting this character and since it seems like we aren't going to be seeing another film solely featuring the big green guy anytime soon, why not use it here.

Though familiar, this front half of the film largely works. The back end of the picture is a different story as the plot shifts to the central conflict between Superman and Zod, who has come to Earth seeking Superman with plans to use him as a way to create a new Krypton. From the moment these two meet the film turn into a seemingly endless collection of action scenes that never find a way of differentiating from each other. It is one fistfight after another as Superman takes on Zod and his group of devoted soldiers. With Zod's group all being Kryptonians, they too have the same powers as Superman on Earth, which means their battles are quite epic and destructive. One of the driving narratives in all Superman stories, this film included, is Superman's devotion to Earth and to protect its citizens. Those motives can be questioned here given the way he leaves multiple towns in complete ruin in an effort to stop Zod.

Christopher Nolan's presence as a producer for the film does not seem like it was enough to counter director Zach Snyder's (300, Watchmen) compulsion for mind-numbing action. With his Batman trilogy, Nolan focused more on theme and narrative. Snyder takes an approach more akin to the Transformers franchise where the focus is on maximizing carnage instead of developing a compelling story. By the time the movie reaches its inevitable end, I felt exhausted, not enthralled.

While Man of Steel is a flawed film, I don't feel as if its problems set the franchise back in the same way that Returns did. This film suitably establishes the key pieces that can be used to set up future films. British actor Henry Cavill, though occasionally wooden in his delivery, has the perfect look for the role and I'm certainly interested to see what he could do in this role a second time. Amy Adams is also good as a more modern take on Lois Lane. In a way, Man of Steel works similarly to the first film of his Marvel counterpart, Captain America. Both films have their flaws, but succeed in at least showing us that these modern defenders of America still have a place in our post-modern society. Grade: C+