Superman: Man of Steel Catch All

Nevin73 wrote:

Anyone see this yet?

I'm specifically asking if it is scary for kids. My son (11, but often emotionally younger) was freaked out by the orange glowy people in Iron Man 3 and we had to leave the theater. Now my wife and I are a little gun-shy to take him to the superhero summer blockbusters.

So has anyone seen this and is it dark and grim? Is it more The Dark Knight and less Superman 2?

I'm hearing it's a darker movie. There's a lot of Nolan in there. It's not out yet, though, is it? No Wednesday release.

DSGamer wrote:

I'm hearing it's a darker movie. There's a lot of Nolan in there. It's not out yet, though, is it? No Wednesday release.

I dunno, it looks pretty cartoony to me:

Nevin73 wrote:

Anyone see this yet?

I'm specifically asking if it is scary for kids. My son (11, but often emotionally younger) was freaked out by the orange glowy people in Iron Man 3 and we had to leave the theater. Now my wife and I are a little gun-shy to take him to the superhero summer blockbusters.

So has anyone seen this and is it dark and grim? Is it more The Dark Knight and less Superman 2?

I saw it last night. It is nowhere near as dark as the last few Batman movies. It is way more serious then Superman 2 and is more violent then scary.

More specifics in the spoiler section

Spoiler:

There were a few scenes with decayed skeletal remains and some of General Zod's men whore creepy looking armor. There was a lot of violence and destruction, kind of reminded me of a transformers movie in that respect.

tboon wrote:

Well, now I don't need to see the movie. Why do I watch trailers any more?

Kurrelgyre wrote:

For the journey, not the destination.

lol especially this one. It's not like we dont know the story at this point

Just saw it. It was awesome!

Have a doctors appointment late morning. It should take exactly 2hr 23min.

FSeven wrote:

Have a doctors appointment late morning. It should take exactly 2hr 23min.

3+ if you include previews etc..

Impressions:

Spoiler:

Meh.

Lots of silliness bothered me during the movie. How does the indestructible man of steel shave off his beard with presumably a steel razor? Or does he use his fingernails? If that's the case, I guess his fingernails are stronger than his hair? That introduces a strength hierarchy of Kryptonian biology that can lead to a slippery slope. Also, why the hell was everything happening above Kansas? Superman's pod lands there. Zod comes down there (Superman's Earth mom calls him outside to see the descending ship) despite the signal (which acted as a beacon) being transmitted from the entombed ship in Northern Canada. At that point Zod knew nothing about Kal-El's whereabouts.

It was an entertaining movie but I don't even think I'll own the DVD. I'll only see it again if my son reaches an appropriate age and wants to check it out.

I give it two big ass thumbs up out of five based solely on the fantastic special effects.

Regarding the shaving, this is what I put on my FB when I noticed an ad for Gillette using Kal-El:

I love the ads on FB.
Someone is bad at marketing. Gillette and Superman? Hello, Superman uses a Kryptonian mirror (is this considered Krytponite?) and his laser eye beams to shave that sh*t. It gets sketchy when he does the manscaping. Kal-El is cool with it but an outsider watching a dude laser beam his own junk is kind of disconcerting, you know?

Ok I thought that movie was damn good.

Spoiler:

I especially liked the fight between Supes, Faora-Ul and the other big guy and it was probably my favorite scene.

Gdawg27 wrote:

Just saw it. It was awesome!

Thank you! Everybody's been down on it so far but I really liked it. Of course, I was comparing it to Superman Returns the entire time, so they wouldn't have had to do much to impress me.

Just got back. It was awesome!!

I'm in the "it was awesome" camp as well. It had it's share of inconsistencies but nothing you wouldn't expect from a comic book character. If I had one gripe is it could have used a few slower moments as it's a pretty bombastic experience. Can't wait to see if there is a directors cut, but I'll likely see it again to try and take in all the things that I missed.

Like the Hulk in the Avengers, it's the first movie to date that really captures the power of the character.

It makes Superman Returns look like On Golden Pond and I like SR for the most part. If you have young kids you may want to wait a little bit as it does have some dark, intense moments. I thought it as dark if not darker at times than the last Dark Knight movies, but that's just my 2 cents.

Why?

Spoiler:

Because A LOT of people die. Some it's implied where others it's directly shown

FYI, Kevin Smith really adored it and next weeks "Fatman on Batman" podcast will focus on Man of Steel.

I saw it earlier today and though overall I thought it was decent the first half hour was PHENOMENAL. I couldn't have imagined a better origin story for Superman, it stays true to the basic canon while also fleshing out the world of Krypton better than any other adaptation to date.

I won't get into too much more because of spoilers, but the ends justify the means in this film. I came away feeling optimistic about the future of this franchise, and that's all I really wanted. So go see it! Michael Shannon's performance, the great visual work, and the beautiful score by Hans Zimmer are worth the price of admission alone.

I do feel that they are really going to have to up Batman's game in the Justice League movies in order for him to hang.

I thought the smaller moments they did have were generally effective, with one in particular knocking it out of the park. I hope there's an extended version in the future that gives those scenes a little more time to breathe.

Spoiler:

It's a shame that the story structure meant that showing his experience growing up doesn't flow as effortlessly as it did with Batman Begins. And man, that's a lot of genre actors in one movie.

Ballotechnic wrote:

I'm in the "it was awesome" camp as well. It had it's share of inconsistencies but nothing you wouldn't expect from a comic book character.

I'm also decidedly in the "it was awesome" camp. In fact, I like that more than most comic book movies I've seen since that's been a genre that's kind of dominated Hollywood.

Ballotechnic wrote:

If I had one gripe is it could have used a few slower moments as it's a pretty bombastic experience. Can't wait to see if there is a directors cut, but I'll likely see it again to try and take in all the things that I missed.

Yeah. They squeezed a LOT of story and exposition into that movie. And those were my favorite parts. Especially the scenes in the past. And the first half hour.

Some random thoughts that I'll spoiler tag because they are SUPER spoilery.

Spoiler:

- I loved at the end when he finished the fight with Zod. His reaction and Lois's. I think many people will take it to mean that his reaction was because of being forced to kill someone. I took it to mean that he realized he made a choice and that he was no completely alone. Some of the strongest material for Superman has been stuff like that. Being alone, but then not alone. His relationship with his Earth parents, etc. Loved that.

- His relationship with his mom was excellent. Made me almost teary a few times.

- The scene when he walks out of the rubble at the bank was pretty amazing. I got chills.

- They got the hovering right. Something the earlier movies only got right once (in Superman 2 when he's hovering outside the Daily Planet) is that it's cool when he has full command of his powers. When he has full command of his powers it brings the awe factor up a few notches.

- I loved that he had to learn how to use his powers. Something that always bugged me about the original (Reeves) Superman is that he goes and has a chat with dad and he's Superman. I love that he had to learn how to fly.

- Zod's motivation in the original movies? Jor El put me in jail. Zod's motivation in this movie? Much much better. In fact, that story of how Kryptonian science ran amok and lead them to where they were was really really fascinating to me. I'm kind of shocked that they found a really good motivation for Zod and forced Superman to make choices beyond just beating up his enemies.

- The movie had a bit of an ID4 vibe to it. And I mean that in the best possible way. One of the things I loved about the Nolan Batman movies is that there's a realistic and proper reaction to the existence of heroes. And especially in this case.

Overall I loved it. I'll see it again.

I've also taken up shop in "It was Awesome" city.

Kurrelgyre wrote:
Spoiler:

It's a shame that the story structure meant that showing his experience growing up doesn't flow as effortlessly as it did with Batman Begins.

Really disagreed. I and my rolling posse thought

Spoiler:

the non-linear sprinkling was a great way to include a story we love, but already know, as the real story was developing.

DSGamer wrote:
Spoiler:

- I loved at the end when he finished the fight with Zod. His reaction and Lois's. I think many people will take it to mean that his reaction was because of being forced to kill someone. I took it to mean that he realized he made a choice and that he was no completely alone. Some of the strongest material for Superman has been stuff like that. Being alone, but then not alone. His relationship with his Earth parents, etc. Loved that.

Indeed,

Spoiler:

I was instantly rather shocked, but I also instantly came to appreciate the gravity of literally severing his ties to Krypton. And, yes, I agree, Zod had a much improved motivation, and I also appreciated that he just came down and started wrecking sh*t. I expected some bit where he played nice for the puny humans, while we just waited for the sh*t-wrecking to begin in earnest. It also really played into the aforementioned alone-ness. Zod and Co never get presented as any sort of credible home for Clark--they're sh*tty, the humans are sh*tty, no matter which side he picks, he's still isolated.

I only wonder: after all that, how do you do a movie where Lex is the baddie?

Just got back from it, I liked it quite a bit, but there was some stuff that still didn't click with me.

Spoiler:

Starting out on the really minor end. There were several times when people were just not running away as far or soon as it was really obvious that they should be leaving.

I give them a huge pass for this next one, because it's something they completely inherited. It's always stupid and impossible that more than 4-30 people (depending on how many minions Zod brings with him in the particular story line) don't escape from Krypton. I really liked a lot of what they fleshed out about Krypton, but at the end when they use up a Prison Ship to lock up Zod and the others it just really bugged me. We do find out later on that that ship wasn't outfitted for hyperdrive right then, but still. Like I said, not really their fault though.

Then there was so much stuff that was just super great, two in particular:

Spoiler:

1. His earth Father's death scene was just tremendously done. The choice between his principles or his life, that not only his dad had to make, but he had to make too, was very powerful. Sure... If I was Clark I would have gone after the dog myself... but still.

2. Lois knows who the heck he is. This was something that always bugged me, as mentioned here a big part of Superman's identity is his isolation. This is aggravating when it's almost all self-imposed. It's also always seemed a bit sexist and manipulative of him to hold all the cards over Lois's head like that. After the Superman Return's weird "Date Rape Kiss Single Mother" routine having him attempt a relationship with Lois that isn't built on a foundation of lies is a great change.

SpacePPoliceman wrote:

I only wonder: after all that, how do you do a movie where Lex is the baddie?

I can still see that. At least tens of thousands of people just died, and who knows what the environmental ramifications will be. Lex will have plenty of justifications for distrusting Superman, as well as supporters who do as well. I think that there will definitely be ways to make a well-motivated and relatable Lex Luthor. There is also going to be plenty of Krypton hardware and technology scattered around for him to use.

Yonder wrote:
Spoiler:

2. Lois knows who the heck he is. This was something that always bugged me, as mentioned here a big part of Superman's identity is his isolation. This is aggravating when it's almost all self-imposed. It's also always seemed a bit sexist and manipulative of him to hold all the cards over Lois's head like that. After the Superman Return's weird "Date Rape Kiss Single Mother" routine having him attempt a relationship with Lois that isn't built on a foundation of lies is a great change.

Spoiler:

This was really moving to me as well. I've had the thought you just expressed, but I never expressed it correctly. I just thought there was something "dickish" about Superman being all "aw shucks" around Lois Lane and then trying to wow her as Superman. You expressed why that's terrible better than me. This movie hits it on the head, though.

#1 - If Lois Lane is actually a good reporter and actually has some good luck she would stumble on a lead.

#2 - Rather than kissing her into amnesia he would want *someone else* to know. That ending gave me chills.

Yonder wrote:

I can still see that. At least tens of thousands of people just died, and who knows what the environmental ramifications will be. Lex will have plenty of justifications for distrusting Superman, as well as supporters who do as well. I think that there will definitely be ways to make a well-motivated and relatable Lex Luthor. There is also going to be plenty of Krypton hardware and technology scattered around for him to use.

One of Lex Luthor's main motivations in the comics later on is that he sees Superman as a threat to the safety of Earth. In a comic book where galaxy-wide events occur weekly this is a bit silly. But this movie nailed the reality of what it would be like if "first contact" happened in this fashion. Someone like Lex Luthor would see Superman as a threat to his interests and honestly as a threat to Earth. There would be more motivation there than real estate.

Blind_Evil wrote:

Having not read the thread, I'm gonna bet this is another big budget action film based on a long-standing property that I thought was just fine and pisses off longtime fans. Just like every other movie this year. Am I close? *goes to read*

So far you're wrong, actually. At least when it comes to this thread.

Having not read the thread, I'm gonna bet this is another big budget action film based on a long-standing property that I thought was just fine and pisses off longtime fans. Just like every other movie this year. Am I close? *goes to read*

FSeven wrote:
Spoiler:

MSuperman's pod lands there. Zod comes down there (Superman's Earth mom calls him outside to see the descending ship) despite the signal (which acted as a beacon) being transmitted from the entombed ship in Northern Canada. At that point Zod knew nothing about Kal-El's whereabouts.

Spoiler:

They'd been up on the ship at that point, and he said they entered his mind, same as they did Lois.

DSGamer wrote:
Blind_Evil wrote:

Having not read the thread, I'm gonna bet this is another big budget action film based on a long-standing property that I thought was just fine and pisses off longtime fans. Just like every other movie this year. Am I close? *goes to read*

So far you're wrong, actually. At least when it comes to this thread.

It doesn't even seem like it's taking critical lumps. As in, "From film critics." And that's spanning between ordinary film critics and the ones who focus a bit more on genre pictures. I keep seeing these references to it being horribly received in a lot of places I look, but the reviews seem overwhelmingly positive for a superhero flick. How am I missing this alleged copious bad-mouthing when I'm just this side of actively seeking it out?!

As a guy with the superhero comic background, I'm ordinarily not really all that interested in Superman (last Supes thing that wowed me: Grant Morrison's All-Star Superman, and the fine animated adaptation thereof) , but this is sounding better and better. Give it a max of three weeks and I bet I'll be forking over my money at a nearby box office.

Just got back from seeing it. I thought it was a great take on the story, and I'm on board moving forward.

While some of the action was great, man fight scenes went on far too long and felt unnecessary. But I really liked the story.

And anyone claiming they already know the movie based on trailers are wrong. I watched every trailer, and the story was not really revealed.

Just got home. I didn't enjoy it all. I'll post more thoughts why later, but visually it was way too drab - trying to be more dark and serious. The action sequences were too over the top. I couldn't follow the action a lot of the time, which was reminiscent of the Transformers movies. Someone on Twitter called it destruction porn - which I found apt. The story also felt too hurried. I think the story, not including flashbacks, happens over the course of a couple of days.

There were some good moments, but few and far between.

But the kicker:

Spoiler:

Superman doesn't kill.

For those with kids, I also thought it was way too violent for little ones.

PaladinTom wrote:

Just got home. I didn't enjoy it all. I'll post more thoughts why later, but visually it was way too drab - trying to be more dark and serious. The action sequences were too over the top. I couldn't follow the action a lot of the time, which was reminiscent of the Transformers movies. Someone on Twitter called it destruction porn - which I found apt. The story also felt too hurried. I think the story, not including flashbacks, happens over the course of a couple of days.

There were some good moments, but few and far between.

But the kicker:

Spoiler:

Superman doesn't kill.

For those with kids, I also thought it was way too violent for little ones.

To your spoiler:

Spoiler:

Yes he does. Have you never paid attention to Superman (comics or otherwise) before? What did you think happened to Zod in Superman II when he was thrown against the wall and fell throught he mist? They went out for pizza later?

kazar wrote:

More specifics in the spoiler section

Spoiler:

There were a few scenes with decayed skeletal remains and some of General Zod's men whore creepy looking armor. There was a lot of violence and destruction, kind of reminded me of a transformers movie in that respect.

Spoiler:

Men whores? Well, it's on the list now.

PaladinTom wrote:

But the kicker:

Spoiler:

Superman doesn't kill.

Spoiler:

You're right, which is one of the reasons it caused him so much anguish. He couldn't hold onto him forever, and at that point Zod was no longer targeting him and just causing collateral human damage, he was about to target humans directly, and right in front of him.

Dr.Ghastly wrote:
PaladinTom wrote:

Just got home. I didn't enjoy it all. I'll post more thoughts why later, but visually it was way too drab - trying to be more dark and serious. The action sequences were too over the top. I couldn't follow the action a lot of the time, which was reminiscent of the Transformers movies. Someone on Twitter called it destruction porn - which I found apt. The story also felt too hurried. I think the story, not including flashbacks, happens over the course of a couple of days.

There were some good moments, but few and far between.

But the kicker:

Spoiler:

Superman doesn't kill.

For those with kids, I also thought it was way too violent for little ones.

To your spoiler:

Spoiler:

Yes he does. Have you never paid attention to Superman (comics or otherwise) before? What did you think happened to Zod in Superman II when he was thrown against the wall and fell throught he mist? They went out for pizza later?

Good point. Still didn't work for me. Felt gratuitous and overly violent.

And no, I don't really follow the comics. Although I did read Earth One, which I thought was better than this.

Kurrelgyre wrote:
PaladinTom wrote:

But the kicker:

Spoiler:

Superman doesn't kill.

Spoiler:

You're right, which is one of the reasons it caused him so much anguish. He couldn't hold onto him forever, and at that point Zod was no longer targeting him and just causing collateral human damage, he was about to target humans directly, and right in front of him.

Spoiler:

That and he was killing off one of the last of his own race. That would be a hard thing to swallow. He choose between humans and his own scpeices and it almost broke him except for Lois.