I am a girl who doesn't claim to know anything about DC Comics, Superman or the Justice League (up until a minute ago when I googled it, I couldn't even tell you the five superheroes in the Justice League), so I am not knowledgeable when it comes to this stuff. The only Superman experiences I have had took place on the 90's television show Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. I have never picked up a comic book unless it was Archie. So, I think I have proved my point that I am not necessary the most trustworthy critic on Man on Steel. If you are a fanatic, maybe you should just see the film for yourself before you take my word for it; if you are trying to become a fan or seeing the movie for kicks, save your money.
Henry Cavill stars in the movie along with Amy Adams, Diane Lane, Kevin Costner, Russell Crowe, and Michael Shannon. It's an impressive cast, but the movie didn't yield impressive results to me. Henry Cavill was fine, it wasn't him as an actor, it was the material that was presented to him. Adams, again was fine, but didn't electrify the screen and her storyline almost felt shoved into the film. Also, if I were lucky enough as a casting director to get Diane Lane and Kevin Costner (two of the biggest names in the biz) you'd better believe that I would give them more on screen time.
The story of course follows Superman in the times leading up to his namesake, a time when people didn't know what he was capable of or who he was. The film opens on Krypton, another planet, where Kal-El (Superman/Clark Kent) has just been born. He is the first baby to be born naturally, without genetic engineering in centuries. Which of course, means turmoil and trouble. Soon his parents are both dead and he is sent to Earth in the shuttle that they made for him with the Codex that gives his planet power. If you are already bored, then I feel you. At this point of the movie (ten minutes in), I was already regretting my choice of this particular film. The film went on to follow Clark's childhood in a nutshell, a very fast nutshell, and then to present day when a prisoner of Krypton has come back into power after his entire planet has been demolished. He seeks Clark so that he can have the Codex and destroy all humankind. It's your typical "Why Can't We Be Friends" moment in the movie when Russell Crowe's ghost/memory graces the screen again to beg Zod (Michael Shannon, the villain to reconsider before pulverizing Earth and mankind. Of course he doesn't listen and a million and one different fighting scenes take place over the course of an hour and fifteen minutes.
I am a girl who loves "boy" movies, take me to Lord of the Rings, The Dark Knight trilogy or any thriller and I will love it! But there was no luster in this film for me. I felt like there was really something lacking in the connections between the different parts of the story. There was no major draw to get you involved. It seemed to be pre-foreshadowed fight scenes one after the other with no real climax or feelings of satisfaction when it was over.
From what I know about our movie world right now and the potential to take the plunge when there is money to be made, there will probably be sequels to this film. After reading some articles this morning that talk about not only the possibility of Superman getting a sequel, but the whole Justice League finally taking the big screen, I am concerned. It took a long time for The Avengers to hit theaters, and I personally feel that whoever made that decision is a genius. Most of the characters had their own individual films, or were at least very defined in who they were onscreen prior to the release of their joint/ensemble cast film. I think it might be wise for the Justice League to wait and do the same. I am not saying that I want to sit in a theater and watch a Wonder Woman movie, because quite frankly I don't. But I think that in today's world sometimes movies and entertainment get rushed in hopes of making the buck faster, when instead the bucks stop short because of a lack of entertainment and efficiency. Man of Steel has made plenty at the box office, but I can assure you that I am not the only one giving the film a mixed review. If you are still dying to see the film, by all means check it out in theaters, but I would wait for Netflix.
Henry Cavill stars in the movie along with Amy Adams, Diane Lane, Kevin Costner, Russell Crowe, and Michael Shannon. It's an impressive cast, but the movie didn't yield impressive results to me. Henry Cavill was fine, it wasn't him as an actor, it was the material that was presented to him. Adams, again was fine, but didn't electrify the screen and her storyline almost felt shoved into the film. Also, if I were lucky enough as a casting director to get Diane Lane and Kevin Costner (two of the biggest names in the biz) you'd better believe that I would give them more on screen time.
The story of course follows Superman in the times leading up to his namesake, a time when people didn't know what he was capable of or who he was. The film opens on Krypton, another planet, where Kal-El (Superman/Clark Kent) has just been born. He is the first baby to be born naturally, without genetic engineering in centuries. Which of course, means turmoil and trouble. Soon his parents are both dead and he is sent to Earth in the shuttle that they made for him with the Codex that gives his planet power. If you are already bored, then I feel you. At this point of the movie (ten minutes in), I was already regretting my choice of this particular film. The film went on to follow Clark's childhood in a nutshell, a very fast nutshell, and then to present day when a prisoner of Krypton has come back into power after his entire planet has been demolished. He seeks Clark so that he can have the Codex and destroy all humankind. It's your typical "Why Can't We Be Friends" moment in the movie when Russell Crowe's ghost/memory graces the screen again to beg Zod (Michael Shannon, the villain to reconsider before pulverizing Earth and mankind. Of course he doesn't listen and a million and one different fighting scenes take place over the course of an hour and fifteen minutes.
I am a girl who loves "boy" movies, take me to Lord of the Rings, The Dark Knight trilogy or any thriller and I will love it! But there was no luster in this film for me. I felt like there was really something lacking in the connections between the different parts of the story. There was no major draw to get you involved. It seemed to be pre-foreshadowed fight scenes one after the other with no real climax or feelings of satisfaction when it was over.
From what I know about our movie world right now and the potential to take the plunge when there is money to be made, there will probably be sequels to this film. After reading some articles this morning that talk about not only the possibility of Superman getting a sequel, but the whole Justice League finally taking the big screen, I am concerned. It took a long time for The Avengers to hit theaters, and I personally feel that whoever made that decision is a genius. Most of the characters had their own individual films, or were at least very defined in who they were onscreen prior to the release of their joint/ensemble cast film. I think it might be wise for the Justice League to wait and do the same. I am not saying that I want to sit in a theater and watch a Wonder Woman movie, because quite frankly I don't. But I think that in today's world sometimes movies and entertainment get rushed in hopes of making the buck faster, when instead the bucks stop short because of a lack of entertainment and efficiency. Man of Steel has made plenty at the box office, but I can assure you that I am not the only one giving the film a mixed review. If you are still dying to see the film, by all means check it out in theaters, but I would wait for Netflix.
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