Which involved some walking there and back, plus a bike ride this morning against a strong wind. So, I'm just starting to scribble tonight's Bike, if I can stay awake.
The film: over long, over violent and a bit short on story line. SFX are very good but there should be more to a film than special effects and CGIs. My rating, it was okay rather than good, even though I watched it in 3D I wasn't that impressed as it often made it difficult to see detail in movement.
Comments
Many reviewers over here agree with you
We probably won't bother, but we're old and out of touch. It will probably make a lot of money regardless.
Portia
Cathy Cameron is Superwoman
Cathy Cameron is Superwoman.
Superman doesn't measure up to her.
I suspect
he might be taller.
A :)
Angharad
... and ...
... probably Cathy doesn't wear her knickers outside her jeans. Though I could be wrong as Ang hasn't seen fit to provide us with a picture.
I wonder that the 'Man of Steel' hasn't got trifle rusty after all these years - some of them in a damp atmosphere I shouldn't wonder. He should be either chrome-plated or re-made in stainless steel.
I think I'll give it a miss. I gave up on Superman et al when I was about 13, 60 years ago.
Robi
Judge me by my-
do you? Hmmmm! Sorry wrong franchise!
Most of the reviews I've read prefers the old 1978 version, so-so special effects and all. I understand the original version of Supes way back in Action Comics was dark and brooding, but the one I'm familiar with was the overgrown boy scout that Christoper Reeves played so well. Call me old fashioned and also out of touch.
hugs
Grover
While I liked
Hans Zimmer's sound track on the new film, nothing is quite as good as John William's Superman March which as soon as you hear it quickens the heart...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjIlBoGrVJM
Angharad
On that-
I totally agree. All you have to do is hear it and it sets your heart to soaring. :) Up, up and away! LOL
hugs
Grover
Hans Zimmer's Score
Was pretty good, just not for Man of Steel. Sorry Hans, love your work, but Superman, needs a fan fair.
People say, "You don't know what you had until it's gone." Very true, but also equally true is, "You don't know what you've been missing until is arrives."
John Williams
Hard to replace John William's score. After all think of the music in Star Wars,especially the bar scene.
Karen
As I have said to everyone who has told me anything about
'The Man Of Steel' XP. I knew it was going to suck, the first time I saw the poster. My sixth sense is never wrong.
I have to ask. Is it as bad
I have to ask. Is it as bad as Superman Returns from a few years back? I rented that movie and it was horrible. At least DC had a winner with Batman begins. I wasn't into the second one, but it did well in theaters. Not too sure about #3. Haven't seen it yet
With so many
who have portrayed Superman, wonder which one is the favorite.
May Your Light Forever Shine
My Thoughts...
Anyone who has read Angel, obviously knows I am a Superman fan. Before I begin, I will tired old debate over who is better, Batman, or Superman. For us who write, Batman is a much better hero, one that many can relate to. He can be harmed, must keep in shape, and must rely on whits, training and technology to achieve his goals. Story wise, following his adventures make for great reading, wondering how he will get himself out of a jam.
Superman, shy of magic and a rock, in invincible making it challenging to create suspenseful situations for him. Either employing Kyptonite, or creating vastly superior foes seems to be the only way to make a page turner (or film you want to sit through). His human emotions and love for mankind are also used as plot devices to add a sense of danger.
That being said, as a writer, reader and film critic, Batman is easier to relate to and therefore superior in the scope of a good story. But I don't want to relate to Batman. I don't drive down the street wishing my truck was the Batmobile. As a child, I never wished I had a utility belt to beat off the bullies in school, nor did I dream of making myself menacing in the appearance of a flying rat jumping from rooftops with a grapple gun. No, I wished to soar through the clouds, free as a bird with the wind on my back with nothing to stop me. I fantasized about being able to stand up for those who couldn't fight back. Giving those who prey on the weak a sense of what it feels like to be a victim, much like the scene I wrote with Angel confronting the abusive husband.
With someone as vastly superior in every way, a permanent fear is instilled in the hearts fo criminals, unlike a rich billionaire with fancy toys. Sure, a glowing rock was needed to reduce Superman, but let's be real, the only reason Batman is so good, is because we write him to be so. There was a quote I read a while back from a writer giving advice, "Writing coincidences to get your hero in trouble is good story teling, writing coincidences to get them out of trouble is just cheating." I read that and thought back to the original Batman Movie (no not the Burton Film) where his helicopter just happened to have "inflatable shark" repellent. Sure, always carry that on my possession. In fact Batman seemed to beat Apple to the punch with "I have an App for that."
So let's be clear, the Caped Crusader (the black cape, not the red one) is awesome, because we write him to be. We write him into peril, and we write him out just the same as we do with Superman. Writers will never kill either character (permanently) so therefore, we have little to worry about in terms of our heroes well being. Batman will always think himself out of a hole, and Kryptonite will keep Superman bound for long. I therefore wish to be like Superman or more specifically his cousin, soaring over the majestic diversity of Earth's landscape without canisters of repellent weighing be down.
So, let's get to the question at hand...Man of Steel...to be continued.
People say, "You don't know what you had until it's gone." Very true, but also equally true is, "You don't know what you've been missing until is arrives."
Man of Steel...Thoughts...(
By this time, I hope you understand I am going to spoil the crap out of the movie, so don't read beyond this point unless you want to find out that Zod is actually Khan.
The original 1978 film was awesome. I was almost four when that debuted and today, it's still high on my list as is the Donner Cut of Part II. I rarely load up the film and watch it from end to end these days, but every so many months, I will open my digital copy on my computer and watch the famous scene where Superman introduces himself for the first time. "You got me? Who's got you?" Oh Christopher Reeves was amazing as both Clark Kent, and Superman.
The film was straight out of the comics, felt like a comic, and was perfect in every way until he turns back time. The end was such a let down, one that was repeated in the Donnor Cut of II. It was totally cheating turning the world back. First of all, all you would achieve is the complete destruction of Earth (Maybe that's what happened to Krypton). There are few film endings that are as good as Superman's final triumph over Zod in the fortress.
This was a great example how Superman is not just muscle, rather highly intelligent able to trick the Criminal Genius of Lex Luthor into luring the three Kryptonian criminals into Supermans trap. We the movie goers where dropping the last of our popcorn back into the buckets, eyes glued to the screen as Superman emerges, weakened once again from the molecule chamber. "How the heck is he going to get out of this?" I thought to myself as he was ordered by Zod to kneel before him and take his hand. The specters last night did not cheer and scream with joy and excitement as Henry Cavell broke Zod's neck followed by him crying over it. No, nothing like I remember as a kid, watching Superman crush Zod's hand and throw him into the pit after he reversed the effects of the chamber and drained their power instead.
This is what Man of Steel was missing. Overall I, as a long standing fan enjoyed it. Visually it was stunning, the visual effects of today allow for use to finally see Superman in all his glory, and for that It was enjoyable. I also found the new take on Krypton's end, Superman's biological make up offered a fresh perspective on his origins. This of course follows old alternate comic book stories and is not entirely new to the comic fans.
I also found the reversal of events, Superman first, then mild mannered reporter second to be enjoyable as was Lois Lane's knowledge of who he is. Let's just get past that crap of her spending several films learning who he is, then suffers amnesia and yada yada yada.
Here's where the story seriously lacked. It had little emotion. I couldn't really find myself sympathizing with anyone other than Zod who would actually be very justified leading a coup in order to save the planet. One that Jor-El should have felt compelled to follow, rather than selfishly saving just his own. The infusion of the codex, matrix (whatever) into Kal-El was not clear. What did it really do? Make him stronger? No he was still getting his ass kicked. I can go on, but I'm getting tired. Overall, it was fun with great super powered fights and flights. As it neared the end, the action just became too much with Metropolis nearly leveled in the process. Still, Donner's vision was better. If only we can turn back the world, add in some 2013 visual effects, and remove the turning back the world scenes. Now if you will excuse me, my Rooty Tooty Fresh and Fruity at IHOP just arrived.
People say, "You don't know what you had until it's gone." Very true, but also equally true is, "You don't know what you've been missing until is arrives."
The World's Finest
Was the comic where I first read of the unlikely partnership between Superman and Batman. You are so right that they are the study in contrasts. Bats is dark, broody, and driven by a past he can't forget. Supes is the upright, role model who motivated by his own sense of right and wrong.
However to me they both had something in common. Both characters greatest enemy is in the end, themselves. Batman fights against that darkness that lies within himself. The pyscho hero who has harnessed his madness to the point that he, although without powers, is superhuman.
Like GM says, he is a very interesting character to write about because of it.
You ask how is Supes his own enemy? I answer it's because he's so powerful. He could rule the world and damn few could do anything about it. One animated story had him thanking Darkseid because the Ruler of Apokolips was one of the very few, he could let himself really cut loose against.
The classic article by Jerry Pournelle's "Man of Steel, Woman of Kleenex" really gives a great example of just how bad it is to be powerful in a world of fine-china and fragile glass.
Fans know that Bats and others have contingency plans in place just in case Supes does turn to the dark-side. However, in the end the great defense the world has is Supes himself and that sense of right and wrong. As powerful as he is, we can rely on his innate goodness. Hey, it's Superman!
With all of that said, there is another character that both hope and dread over coming to the big screen. You know a certain blond haired cousin of a certain Man of Steel. Of course she could protest that. "I'm not Supergirl," but someone else would have to write the screenplay." :)
hugs
Grover
Don't like 3D
I've seen two movies in the new 3D, the second because all the normal shows were sold out. I don't like it, it darkens the picture too much. I'll probably go see Man of Steel (Woman of Kleenex) this weekend.
With so many markets now
I read a story on why they are turning more to action than more than ever and less on script.
With so many places movie directors are being dictated on what to write. It seems that it costs the studios tons of money to convert the talk over to the countries that they are trying to market to. With more action and less talk its easier for them to convert it over without having to use sub-titles.
With China and other countries raking in more money for the studio's its better to appease them then us. We in the US no longer bring in the large sums like they used to.
Ibi
Best part of Man of Steel is Lois Lane
Everything she does scares Lois but she does it anyway, I love that portrayal. :)
BTW, at first a blonde Lois bothered me more than a black Perry White but Amy Adams is the goods. Lawrence Fishburne portrayed Perry perfectly, too, Perry's humanity and deep caring about his people and his mission came through.
Most of the acting, is, in fact, better than the dialog. Russell Crowe and Kevin Costner underact really well in their scenes, and manage to deliver some pretty hokey dialog without flinching. Diane Lane is good as Ma Kent but she could have phoned that one in. Ayelet Zurer as Lara Lor-Van was good, too, but Michael Shannon as Zod is the star of the show.
Lots of good stuff and some bad in the movie. Loved the four-winged birds. Visually, you get to see Superman like people who were there probably would. But the script does not include the clever, adaptable, even tricky Supes I remember from the comics of the 50s and 60s. Henry Cavill's Superman is as dumb as a bag of kryptonite.
Cavill, tho, physically, well, like one Army captain says in the film, "He's hot!" Now I want to see a Superman versus Thor movie. LOL.
Two things in the movie gave some clues to possible sequels. A tanker truck labeled LexCorp and a glimpse of Argo, the moon of Krypton and home to Kara Zor-El, Supergirl.
Hugs,
Erin
= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.
There are
There are a bunch of Easter eggs in the movie. The one that's hard to see is in outer space. Its there for only a second if that. Its the Wayne foundations emblem on the satellite that is destroyed. Lots of speculation on that one.
Your not the first to complain about Superman's action. The problem is that he's been around so much we forget that they are portraying him without the type knowledge in helping people. We're just to used to him being well -- super. Lots of destruction an so on. See if you can get the prelude graphic novel it also has other hints.
Nods to certain elements that were discarded. Lois looking at Clark Kent with the glasses on along with Pete Ross and others.
This may also be of interest: http://screenrant.com/superman-man-of-steel-2-story-details-...