One of the main complaints from critics is that the film lacks joy and humour. Man of Steel is directed by Zac Snyder and produced by Chris Nolan, director of the Dark Knight trilogy. Does anyone remember laughing in the Dark Knight films? I don't. And yet no one complained about the lack of humour in those dark films. I think what's happening is that critics have become so used to Marvel's take on superhero films they have come to expect the same from others. In the Marvel universe there is more colour, more humour, more opportunity for some light-hearted banter. With DC things are a little darker, more bleak. Batman's struggles were always as internal as they were external. We had to watch him fall before we could watch him rise.
In Man of Steel Clark (Henry Cavill) is struggling to align the two sides of himself. He is both alien and human, alien in the sense that he is not of this world, but human in his morality, his connection to the Earth. He is however an outsider, always has been. He uses his abilities to help those in peril, but does so anonymously, hiding his true self in fear of how people will react. Clark may be practically indestructible but he has one very human desire: to be accepted.
The film is not told in a linear form, rather it goes between present and past, creating an in-depth look at how Clark came to be the man he is today. Like the Dark Knight trilogy, it allows the audience some breathing space, doesn't throw in a lot of exposition and instead lets the story flow in its own way. This means that some questions pondered earlier in the film aren't answered until later, keeping audiences engaged. It sounds like a simple thing, but so few films do this, giving too much away too soon.
Cavill is perfect as Clark. He embodies the man of steel and brings a vulnerability to the role. Amy Adams is refreshing as Lois Lane. She is not overly sexualized and is allowed room to be a character and not just someone the hero has to save. Michael Shannon is at first a little overwhelming as General Zod, but it soon becomes natural to the character. He sure does love to yell a lot. Russell Crowe has a bigger role as Jor-El than I anticipated, and this is a good thing. Kevin Costner is well cast in the role of Jonathan Kent, showing both the fear and pride he feels for his son.
The score is done by Hans Zimmer and deserves its own review because it's fantastic. With the epic fight scenes throughout the film the score adds tension and emotion, particularly in one scene near the end where, between you and me, there may have been some tears in my eyes.
I really can't express enough how much you need to a) ignore the negative reviews and b) go see this film. As much as I love the Marvel films, I would be more than happy if superhero films of the future were to become more like Man of Steel. The beauty is that we can have both: the joy and humour of Marvel and the darker journeys of DC characters. It's a big bad universe out there, and there's plenty of room for all.
