• Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.

Man of Steel |OT| It's about action.

I'll post my review tomorrow in the spoiler thread once I sleep on it and am able to reflect it in a more measured way, but if I could give a more insightful account as to my previous sentiment it is this:

There is one scene in this movie that made me feel like a kid again; that made me smile and think "this is Superman"; it is the moment where we see a young Clark play with his dog and place his arms on his hips in that iconic pose (the one in the teaser trailer). It was a slow, poignant and highly emotive moment in the film and it just happened to evoke every connotation I had of Superman more in those mere 10 seconds than the 2 hours that preceded it.

Unfortunately that was the only moment.
 

Tenck

Member
She will probably have a cult following from here on, she is just incredible.

Everything she does, every single scene she was on it was amazing.

One of the best things of the movie for me.

Not to mention she looks incredibly beautiful man Jeez...

It's her appearance, and attitude in the film that probably solidified her as my favorite villain in the movie. She looks the part, and she most certainly plays it.
 

Jarmel

Banned
Speaking of villains, Zod I thought was a wasted opportunity. Shannon did a decent job but I think it had the potential for a lot more.
 
One thing i find fascinating that half of the bad reviews says it has no character buildup and half say the middle and opening part which is building up the characters is painfully slow, so which is it ? From what i have been told the movie is the perfect nolan movie

- no nonsense, straight to the jugular and to the point. Did we get a character buildup for for two face and joker in tdk ? No but it was still satisfying for what was delivered to the audience

The structure of the movie is simple. Who is superman who is clark who is his adoptive father and who is his real father. What happened in krypton and how clark becomes superman. All these questions are answered fully. The big action and the 'destruction porn' is what makes superman as superman but I am amazed that the writer of superman birthright said the action was just all destruction and nothing else because that is essentially exactly the type of action which is also in WB animated series and movies and we hardly hear a peep about 'destruction porn' in that instance.

Zod was a placeholder villian to establish the creation and mayhem of who superman is. As was lois who will play a major role in sequel to clark
 

Raptor

Member
It's her appearance, and attitude in the film that probably solidified her as my favorite villain in the movie. She looks the part, and she most certainly plays it.

Toa TAK will cry tears of joy at seeing her doing the stuff she does.
 

AkuMifune

Banned
@AkuMifune Yeah, it was Ursa. Didn't quote in FEAR of spoilers.

It was just a Superman II quote. ;)

When she ripped that patch off was the scariest thing to me as a kid since Barin and Flash took turns sticking their hands into a hollow stump with a Wood Beast in it in Flash Gordon.
 

Veidt

Blasphemer who refuses to accept bagged milk as his personal savior
I'll post my review tomorrow in the spoiler thread once I sleep on it and am able to reflect it in a more measured way, but if I could give a more insightful account as to my previous sentiment it is this:

There is one scene in this movie that made me feel like a kid again; that made me smile and think "this is Superman"; it is the moment where we see a young Clark play with his dog and place his arms on his hips in that iconic pose (the one in the teaser trailer). It was a slow, poignant and highly emotive moment in the film and it just happened to evoke every connotation I had of Superman more in those 10 seconds than the 2 hours that preceded it.

Unfortunately that was the only moment.

Its important to note that you have your own version of Superman. Many of us (including hardcore comic fans) saw a Superman we know and recognise, throughout the whole film.
But I agree, it was a lovely, lovely moment. That's how it should be, not overplaying these things and having them be present naturally.
We get what Superman means by that point, and it makes it all worth more.
That's how you do it right. Don't force it.
 

Ahasverus

Member
The only negative I could see is the fact that there are no 3 defined acts, stuff just happens. I have no problem with that, it's very nolanesque.
 

Tenck

Member
It's hard being me.

I wish I could see it for the first time all over again!! The second she was off the screen, I was waiting for her to come back :d

I need to stop talking about her now, since you're probably going crazy with anticipation!
 

Dahbomb

Member
Can't wait for the DBZ references that spawn from this movie. Only thing this movie needed for it to be a full on live action DBZ movie would be if they threw fireballs instead of shooting lasers from their eyes and some of them went Super Saiyan.
 
I wish I could see it for the first time all over again!! The second she was off the screen, I was waiting for her to come back :d

I need to stop talking about her now, since you're probably going crazy with anticipation!
Stop mentioning her! I don't have the energy to masturbate.
 

Raptor

Member
Can't wait for the DBZ references that spawn from this movie. Only thing this movie needed for it to be a full on live action DBZ movie would be if they threw fireballs instead of shooting lasers from their eyes and some of them went Super Saiyan.

Oh man, oh man!!

Mindblowing shit all around!
 
Can't wait for the DBZ references that spawn from this movie. Only thing this movie needed for it to be a full on live action DBZ movie would be if they threw fireballs instead of shooting lasers from their eyes and some of them went Super Saiyan.
I want Snyder to direct vegeta vs goku battle. I will die in peace after watching that.
 
Can't wait for the DBZ references that spawn from this movie. Only thing this movie needed for it to be a full on live action DBZ movie would be if they threw fireballs instead of shooting lasers from their eyes and some of them went Super Saiyan.
Funny you bring that up....during the final fight I had the "who would win: Goku or Superman?" YouTube video flash through my head.
 

Veidt

Blasphemer who refuses to accept bagged milk as his personal savior
Can't wait for the DBZ references that spawn from this movie. Only thing this movie needed for it to be a full on live action DBZ movie would be if they threw fireballs instead of shooting lasers from their eyes and some of them went Super Saiyan.

The whole film is basically the Saiyan saga.
 
This thread continues to fascinate with its mix of opinions.

It does seem like this movie is getting highly rated by fans on places like Yahoo and Metacritic. Maybe the critics just do have this one wrong. I won't be seeing this for a while yet unfortunately.
 
Its important to note that you have your own version of Superman. Many of us (including hardcore comic fans) saw a Superman we know and recognise, throughout the whole film.
But I agree, it was a lovely, lovely moment. That's how it should be, not overplaying these things and having them be present naturally.
We get what Superman means by that point, and it makes it all worth more.
That's how you do it right. Don't force it.

I don't class my notion of Superman to be inherently Donnersque. For example, the change in Lois and Clark's relationship didn't bother me. I was impressed how the
death of his father was handled
; I'm glad that it actually played a part in Clark's behaviour there-forth. My complaints were not character-driven; they were not ideological in that sense.

If anyone has read my defence of Superman Returns they'll note it was based on how Superman was portrayed visually. I loved the way Superman effortlessly hovered in mid-air; I loved the way he used the camera to create an aura around him.

The scene where he caught the globe and slowly came down with the camera swivelling around Jimmy and the Williams' theme tune in the background to me showcased more power and more majesty than any of the fight scenes in Man of Steel.

Is that 'Donneresque'? I don't know but it certainly resonated with my interpretation of the character. Superman, to me, is beyond bodies going through walls and cars. I've seen that in every comic book movie; it's become generic and cliche, but still many fans wanted to see it. Well, I hope they have their fill with this. To be honest I hold a bit of resentment towards that demographic now.

To me, Man of Steel wasn't a good Superman movie. I can't remember what happened after they arrived in Kansas. I only remember that shot I really liked. Despite that, I hope the film succeeds and a sequel gets a different director.
 
I just saw the movie.

TO all critics I have a polite suggestion..... GO FUCK YOURSELVES WITH A STICK

This movie is AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME !! The action the photography the acting even the story was good, yeah not Dark Knight but WHATEVER this is THE BEST Superman movie EVER and one of the FINEST Super hero movies, probably in the top 5, holy crap I had such low expectations I was BLOWN WAY, FUck everyone hwho wanted another Iron man or anyone who wanted Donner 3.0 THIS IS IT our superman told in great fashion, a hero worth admiring, it's fr far far ore human now and yeah Cavill is PERFECT I have no words really this is a new high for the genre THANK YOU BASED WB

so, did you like though?

I liked the mother/father relationships and in hindsight which they had played on the parallels between the two sets of parents on Krypton and Earth.

The one scene that really got me was
Jonathan Kent telling Clark not to save him
.

yeah I shed a tear too. I lost my father recently and it kind of reminded me of that.

My bf who hates every super hero movie (he doesn't like even the nolan films or ANYTHING) loved the film and is now obsessed with superman, he's driving me nuts but it's ok, he joined me in the sun.


I was going to say divorce but now I see he has joined you in the sun. you will now achieve wonders.

Oh yeah, here is one thing that was never explained:
Why was their codex (or whatever it was called) a weird looking half-skull?

a prehistoric body maybe?
 

Ahasverus

Member
This thread continues to fascinate with its mix of opinions.

It does seem like this movie is getting highly rated by fans on places like Yahoo and Metacritic. Maybe the critics just do have this one wrong. I won't be seeing this for a while yet unfortunately.

They are. I'd bet my house on it.

so, did you like though?
Nope, I LOVED it
I know, lols.

This thing is comparable to Batman movies, Avengers is just another thing that never reached nor will reach MoS status, nor Nolan Batman for that matter.

In fact I'd say it's its own thing, it's not that similar to Batman or the Marvel movies for that matter.
 
We need a Faora thread.

I support this. She was a highlight, for sure.

Speaking of villains, Zod I thought was a wasted opportunity. Shannon did a decent job but I think it had the potential for a lot more.

Yeah. I think Shannon did all he could and there was such a good setup for his character that was largely undeveloped.

I did get feels when he entered rage mode in the last battle, though.

It does seem like this movie is getting highly rated by fans on places like Yahoo and Metacritic. Maybe the critics just do have this one wrong. I won't be seeing this for a while yet unfortunately.

This isn't really an anomaly. One fan in my theatre was on the verge of tears/a nervous breakdown when Superman was about to take flight for the first time.
 
This thread continues to fascinate with its mix of opinions.

It does seem like this movie is getting highly rated by fans on places like Yahoo and Metacritic. Maybe the critics just do have this one wrong. I won't be seeing this for a while yet unfortunately.

Beyond whether or not its a good comic book film, or whether its a good Superman adaptation, there are legitimate complaints to be made as to its quality in general. Some have commented on the dialogue being poor - I disagree, the dialogue was fine but the actual exchanges were confusing. For example, Jor-El in every exchange he has with Zod seems to insult him in one sentence, and then appeal to his conscious the next. And then, there is the curious issue of why Superman and Zod are actually fighting.

My immediate cause of concern, however, was the sudden cutting of scenes. Did anyone else note this? I found that it ruined the pacing of the film for me. There is a scene in the middle of the movie where it happens suddenly again (
When Zod get's into Superman's mind
) and I'm convinced at that point its just another fast forward but instead it turns out to be something else.
 
I thought Shannon did a great job with Zod. When he first meets Kal-El I was thinking "He seems reasonable. Maybe if they become friends he'll see the error of his ways", but he pulls off the menacing psychotic pretty well too.

The carnage during the end sequence was pretty incredible, but I loved it when Zod
threatened Clark's mother and Clark does a flying tackle and pummels Zod. Seeing Clark enraged was a cool/interesting "oh shit!" moment
.

a prehistoric body maybe?
Perhaps. Maybe some
genetically perfect prehistoric ancestor whose DNA they modify.
I suppose we'll never know for sure.
 
I don't class my notion of Superman to be inherently Donnersque. For example, the change in Lois and Clark's relationship didn't bother me. I was impressed how the death of his father was handled; I'm glad that it actually played a part in Clark's behaviour there-forth. My complaints were not character-driven; they were not ideological in that sense.

If anyone has read my defence of Superman Returns they'll note it was based on how Superman was portrayed visually. I loved the way Superman effortlessly hovered in mid-air; I loved the way he used the camera to create an aura around him.

The scene where he caught the globe and slowly came down with the camera swivelling around Jimmy and the Williams' theme tune in the background to me showcased more power and more majesty than any of the fight scenes in Man of Steel.

Is that 'Donneresque'? I don't know but it certainly resonated with my interpretation of the character. Superman, to me, is beyond bodies going through walls and cars. I've seen that in every comic book movie; it's become generic and cliche, but still many fans wanted to see it. Well, I hope they have their fill with this. To be honest I hold a bit of resentment towards that demographic now.

To me, Man of Steel wasn't a good Superman movie. I can't remember what happened after they arrived in Kansas. I only remember that shot I really liked. Despite that, I hope the film succeeds and a sequel gets a different director.


...............the only other movie to do this level was Avengers and maybe hulk?
so you would seriously rather see Superman just basically..posing? lifting heavier and heavier objects real slow? because Superman I had a broken Damn and missiles destroying things and Superman stopping an Earthquake.
part 2 had a big brawl in multiple cities, part four had him fighting a guy of equal power that destroyed the great wall of china and they fought on the moon. where is this majesty you speak of?
 

strafer

member
We need a Faora thread.

antje_124etq.gif
 

Ahasverus

Member
And then, there is the curious issue of why Superman and Zod are actually fighting.
This is like the most obvious thing. I can't stand this kind of critisicm, it's so high horsed it isn't funny, but anyway I'd give you the very very very self explanatory reasons why they are
1- First Zod wanted to kill all human race
2- Then Zod needed to kill Kal for recovering the codex
3- Then Kal made Zod lose his very reason to exist
If those are not reasons then I can't see them, really.
 
Beyond whether or not its a good comic book film, or whether its a good Superman adaptation, there are legitimate complaints to be made as to its quality in general. Some have commented on the dialogue being poor - I disagree, the dialogue was fine but the actual exchanges were confusing. For example, Jor-El in every exchange he has with Zod seems to insult him in one sentence, and then appeal to his conscious the next. And then, there is the curious issue of why Superman and Zod are actually fighting.

My immediate cause of concern, however, was the sudden cutting of scenes. Did anyone else note this? I found that it ruined the pacing of the film for me. There is a scene in the middle of the movie where it happens suddenly again (
When Zod get's into Superman's mind
) and I'm convinced at that point its just another fast forward but instead it turns out to be something else.

yeah actually I agree with you on the qucik editing or whatever that was. that happened a couple of times and was a bit jarring but not something to linger on.

And then, there is the curious issue of why Superman and Zod are actually fighting.

ok, are you serious right now? go watch a second time it's painfully obvious.
edit: I see Ahasverus covered it.
 

Nesotenso

Member
Well everything is debatable I know, but to ME is not, someone could argue forever and still will be wrong in my mind, that's why I said what I said.

it's fine dude. like what you like. I didn't want to come across as mean.

don't have an issue with you. Trolls like Good Job Bob on the other hand.........
 

Hagi

Member
I don't class my notion of Superman to be inherently Donnersque. For example, the change in Lois and Clark's relationship didn't bother me. I was impressed how the death of his father was handled; I'm glad that it actually played a part in Clark's behaviour there-forth. My complaints were not character-driven; they were not ideological in that sense.

If anyone has read my defence of Superman Returns they'll note it was based on how Superman was portrayed visually. I loved the way Superman effortlessly hovered in mid-air; I loved the way he used the camera to create an aura around him.

The scene where he caught the globe and slowly came down with the camera swivelling around Jimmy and the Williams' theme tune in the background to me showcased more power and more majesty than any of the fight scenes in Man of Steel.

Is that 'Donneresque'? I don't know but it certainly resonated with my interpretation of the character. Superman, to me, is beyond bodies going through walls and cars. I've seen that in every comic book movie; it's become generic and cliche, but still many fans wanted to see it. Well, I hope they have their fill with this. To be honest I hold a bit of resentment towards that demographic now.

To me, Man of Steel wasn't a good Superman movie. I can't remember what happened after they arrived in Kansas. I only remember that shot I really liked. Despite that, I hope the film succeeds and a sequel gets a different director.

Sorry this wasn't what you were looking for in a Superman film man, least you still have Returns.

I think the way he was portrayed and how like you say the way he just floated in the air in Returns was due to a certain confidence he had in himself that is absent in Man of Steel. Personally i find the more flawed and human Kent more interesting than the relatively god like figure that is present in Returns but that's just me. Everyone has their own views and i don't think we should be discounting them just because they don't match with ours.
 
Top Bottom