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| Henry Cavill in Man of Steel |
Grade: B-
If you spent your days since The Dark Knight Rises weeping because Christopher Nolan’s genius
might never be found in another superhero again, fear not.
While Christopher Nolan only produces and co-writes Man of Steel, the latest superhero
reboot, traces of his grittier hero formula are found…to a point.
The details in Clark Kent’s backstory make this reboot a bit
more unique than others and more akin to the The Dark Knight series. Zack Snyder, director, explores Kent’s
emotional and social struggles growing up so differently from the rest of us.
The film gives glimpses into Kent’s past, showing him trying
save those around him without giving away his gifts, out of fear that he would
not be accepted. By the time he’s a young adult, he struggles to find his place
in the world that so desperately needs him but would also be wary of his gifts
should he show them.
But despite his own fears and those of Mr. and Mrs. Kent,
Clark can’t ignore his conscience.
Before I get into what’s wrong, I have to say, Snyder does
so much right in this version. First, exploring Superman’s character itself
humanizes him — much like we saw of Bruce Wayne in The Dark Knight. The best scenes in the movie are the flashbacks to
Kent’s younger years, as the biggest challenge he faces is himself.
Diane Lane and Kevin Costner give terrific performances as
Mr. and Mrs. Kent, and Henry Cavill, who plays Superman, gives a soulful turn
to both Kent’s vulnerable insecurity and Superman’s moral conviction in a way
that balances both the human and super sides of him.
This film is also probably the most obvious about Superman
as a Christ-like figure. He comes from another world, he saves humanity,
accepts his role as savior at the age of 33. There are several shots in the
movie when he falls or flies in the shape of a cross. There’s even a scene
where Kent seeks a priest’s advice and Christ radiates through the
stained-glass window behind him. Maybe it’s a bit too out there, but
personally, I liked the reminder.
But, alas. Despite what’s going for it, we only see glimpses
of an epic film with great potential depth until we are drowned in special
effects and an overly-drawn out climax battling General Zod in New York City. I
almost felt like all those poor buildings did. The film had such potential to revitalize
our beloved hero but turns back to the same blockbuster formula of overdone CGI
and a cliché climax — thankfully, it ends on a simpler note.
Amy Adams gives a feistier spin to reporter and love
interest, Lois Lane, but as a pair, it doesn’t quite seem to work between her
and Kent. There’s also very little development on any character other than Kents’s,
even costing the film its romance.
As a whole, the movie is entertaining and is a more unique
take on a hero, as opposed to, say … The
Amazing Spider-Man. Here we actually have a reason to reboot and redefine
Superman. And while the film has some great moments, it also loses some of its
luster in the middle. Is it worthy of The
Dark Knight reboot? No. But is it a good movie? Definitely. It’s certainly
received the Nolan-esque “dark and gritty” facelift that most recent superhero
movies seem to be applying.
Some critics aren’t gung-ho about the trend of making
superhero stories darker. Gone are the “KA-POW!” days of our timeless heroes,
but while I believe the darkness has a time and place, I also believe that the
trend is a good thing.
What the darkness
does to the superheroes, in giving them some kind of inner conflict, a struggle
to accept their responsibility or a struggle to choose the good, is a
reflection of our own inner struggle.
We all have the capability for greatness — it’s getting
there that’s the hard part. We all struggle with choosing good, with accepting
who we are and doing the right thing sometimes. We all have a darkness within
us and the battle between evil and good doesn’t just rage in fantasy stories.
It happens in our own hearts, on a daily basis.
What the superheroes teach us through it, provided they show
that they overcome those struggles and choose good, is there is always hope and
always a chance to get up, even if we’ve screwed up.
Darkness isn’t a bad thing. Without it, we wouldn’t have
light. But in dark stories, the light must always be shown, because there is
the ineffable truth that hope and goodness always wins. And despite its
weaknesses, Man of Steel shows this.
