Actually, it's a bit of both. Rather than go through everything, I figured I would give a hit/miss breakdown of some points in the movie that either let me down or made me squeal like the fanboy that I am.
NOTE: SPOILERS BELOW. IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN THE MOVIE AND DO NOT WANT TO KNOW DETAILS, SKIP THIS AND COME BACK LATER
THE MISSES
1. LOIS LANE
The casting of Amy Adams was something I was skeptical to begin with and I was let down by exactly the same reasons I was worried about. The red hair, the homely appearance, the fact that she clearly is older, and the underwhelming attitude. The best incarnation of Lois Lane to this day in my mind is Erica Durance from Smallville and I saw nothing of that in this version. Sure, there's the ONE singular introductory scene where Lois acts like the bitch that she normally is, but after that, she just becomes a shell of herself.
2. ROMANCE
At no point did I feel like there was a true connection between Clark and Lois to exemplify why they would kiss each other.
3. EVERYONE AT THE DAILY PLANET IS OLD
As mentioned above, Lois Lane feels/looks like a beaten down single mother rather than an energetic young woman. Perry White is understandable, but why is Steve Lombard practically a grandfather? Are these people as dated as the medium in which they work?
4. THEY KILL EMIL HAMILTON
Dude...WHY? What purpose did that serve?
5. ZOD IS BRAINIAC
Think about this lineup of attributes: uses a nanotech-esque series of machines, represents technological superiority and a cold machine-like demeanor, is concerned with preserving Krypton...do you really think of Zod or do you think of Brainiac? Now that they've done all these ingredients of Brainiac, there's no point in doing that character. This should have been Brainiac, it should have been the SEQUEL to this, and it should have been called Last Son of Krypton.
6. REPLACEMENT CHARACTERS
Who is this Jenny person working at the Daily Planet and why isn't she Jimmy Olsen? You mean to tell me she served more of a purpose being a female non-Jimmy intern that needs to be saved and does nothing else, rather than being a young kid Jimmy Olsen working as an intern that needs to be saved?
Who is this Colonel Hardy? Who is General Swanwick instead of General Sam Lane?
Even the dog isn't named Shelby.
7. NO KRYPTONITE
Yet at the same time, they have to go through this whole "atmospheric conditions = hurts Superman just like Kryptonite"....reminds me of Amazing Spider-Man's wayward attempt to get around saying "with great power comes great responsibility".
8. SUPERMAN IS KIND OF A RECKLESS DICK
Multiple times in this film, Superman just doesn't care about how his actions affect others. He steals clothes (when at least in my mind, the real Superman would somehow pay that person back), he blows things up around people and doesn't concern himself with checking to see if people are ok, etc.
THE HITS
1. ACTION
For the first time in a live action capacity, we were treated to a Superman that actually felt like Superman. In the Smallville series, everything was limited to mostly exhibitions of super speed. In the original films along with Superman Returns, the only true action seems to be Superman picking up something heavy. With this movie, there were actual punches to be thrown.
2. CAMEO CHARACTERS
Just as much as they annoyingly went out of their way NOT to do certain characters, the cameos were awesome. Kelex in particular is something I'm glad to see. Faora served a purpose. Pete Ross, Lana Lang, Whitney Fordman, the Ace o' Clubs bar, Jax-Ur, Tor-An, a Steve Lombard that (albeit the wrong appearance and age) hits on Lois. Not a cameo, but by the way, nice "lorem ipsum" joke with Lor-Em.
3. RUSSELL CROWE AS JOR-EL
Nice representation of Jor-El. Much better than the Marlon Brando one, I feel.
4. HENRY CAVILL AS SUPERMAN
While there isn't much of him as "dorky Clark Kent", the rest of his characterization is pretty spot on. I don't think he showed enough compassion in the film, but they decided to go more for the angst of Superman and he pulled that off well.
5. THE SUIT
Tell me that doesn't look more realistic and fitting than the red underwear and spandex. Go on. Could it use a bit more red, like the weird belt thing being red and gold rather than blue and gold? Sure. But that's something to tweak in the sequel perhaps.
6. THE NATURAL BIRTH OF SUPERMAN
People have criticized Superman in the past for using the Jesus Christ template, but this film steps it up and also adds an aspect of Kal-El being the first naturally born Krypton in centuries, allowing him the ability to choose what his life will be about rather than have it be dictated and built into him. In a way, he turns out to be a combination of several job descriptions that Krypton would program people to be: warrior, leader, scientist, etc.
7. THE ALIEN INVASION ANGLE
It felt a bit more like a one-shot graphic novel "year one" type of deal, but I liked it and I think they should try to incorporate aspects of it into the comics canon.
8. WELCOME TO THE PLANET
Awesome line to end on, and I'm glad that Lois doesn't have to play those "is he Superman" games, considering how stupid it is that the glasses would fool anyone.
END NOTES
There's much more to be discussed, but I wanted to give you guys a few general points of what I liked and didn't like in the movie.
If you're looking for a brief review: the nitpicking stuff is really bothering me and I agree with all the critics that say there isn't enough emotion in the film or characterization for many people. Other Superman films had the heart but none of the energy and this one had the energy but none of the heart. I don't know why it's that hard to accomplish - because the Bruce Timm animated series knocked it out of the part - but that bothers me. It was entertaining, but it's a big disappointment considering how amazing it could have been.
For those interested in an in-depth review, make sure to check out our upcoming roundtable discussion podcast on the subject. A video will be embedded below once up. Stay tuned!
Other links you might be interested in:
Superman's Obsession with the Letter L
10 Things I'm Excited/Worried About for Man of Steel
Sideshow Collectibles: Man of Steel Premium Format Figure
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