It was only a matter of time before Zack Snyder got his chance to reboot a franchise, it seems to be the move that's making this generations Blockbuster heavy weights. With a checkered past that critics consistently pick at, and to be put in the driving seat for a franchise that only recently got dealt a reactionary damp squib by Bryan Singer in Superman Returns, one can't help but feel a sense of pessimism before seeing this latest crack at the man in blue tights.
The expectation, given one or two of the names attached, is very high and these names will undoubtedly reel people in to cinemas, albeit for wrong reasons. Those who know well and good what Snyder does best will revel in the visuals that shout action, adventure and surface meaning. However there's a different tone here that non of the previous Superman incarnations have hit, some emotion and meaning makes it through, particularly in scenes with Kevin Costner. Snyder seems to have learned some lessons in forging some connection with characters. However the age old problem of making Superman relatable is still there, especially when the final act sees the world become an arena for one hell of a grudge match.
Given this the film succeeds in creating excitement and taking you on a ride. The first scene wastes no time in grabbing your attention. Never has an alien world been so bombastically realised just as a jump off point for a film. It gives some real meat and potatoes to Jor El played excellently by Russell Crowe. What follows is a real juxtaposing narrative that sets up Clark Kent on Earth, flitting from his adult life as a ghost who always seems to attract treacherous situations, to those moments growing up with his foster parents. Henry Cavill is brilliantly cast here, he's charismatic and well suited to the role without trying to rob from previous performances. Kevin Costner and Diane Lane provide the more grounded emotional heart of the film, which is our gateway in, naturally we feel a greater deal for the human interaction between these characters and I ended up wanting to spend more time here. In fact Costner nearly steals it and in one scene in particular you could feel he'd struck a chord with the audience. However the plot has some ways to go, the development of the relationship between Louis (Amy Adams) and Clark doesn't seem so poignant or necessary and once Zod (Michael Shannon) catches up on Cal El (Clark) the resulting destruction is visually outstanding but loses its edge.
The heft of CG shots does take its toll, there are some that look suspect in places, especially in scenes with Zod and his various armoured suits that are clearly super imposed on to him. However in realising the speed and the furosity of Supermans power the computer effects and the way in which those scenes are shot make this feel epic and eye popping. I chose to watch this in 2D so I could fully enjoy these moments as 3D causes nothing but blurring and headaches. As this was retro fitted rather than shot in 3D I would seriously recommend seeing this in good old 2D.
The thing is, for all my criticisms I really reeeeally enjoyed it. Like the previous Snyder comic book movie Watchmen I was on board and enjoyed the spectacle of it. The thing is with Superman he gets away with it better, this is a 12 rated film for a bloody good reason, because 12 year olds will utterly love it. There's some stuff here for adults alike, but I could only help but feel like the kid I ended up sat next to, that thrill and that excitement of seeing Superman realised in a way that's believable on the surface. Those moments of wonder like when he pushes a bus out of a river and kids look on in astonishment. Those emotions that coarse through you when Clark is threatened and you know he could end it with a flick of his little finger.The sense of awe is palpable and it knocks spots off a lot of comic book movies that have preceded it. It's just unfortunate that it had to refer to type to tie it up, but again it had a lot more to it than say the latest Spiderman.
It's not perfect by any standard, and it does nothing particularly new as far as reboots are concerned, robbing ideas from various films. However this is my favourite incarnation of Superman on screen and just as I unflinchingly love some daft Hollywood blockbusters of the 90's I stand by this and say that I thoroughly enjoyed it.
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
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