Man of Steel Review (spoiler free)

OK so I'm conflicted. I mean, it was totally awesome! Like it blew my mind! But then... at the same time, it didn't. I think there was too much action and fighting. I think that's what might have yanked my rose-colored glasses off. I mean, action is good. I love a good fight scene, but when it just goes on and on and on and ON! You just kind numb yourself to it and you're like "alright already, resolve the issue and move on!". When I sit down for a movie, I expect to sit and enjoy myself. If there's too much going on in front of my eyes all the time, it's like there's a strobe light constantly going and I'm not relaxed.

But the action and fighting was amazingly choreographed, I have to say. And the cinematography around it... *two thumbs up* It's just that there was a surplus of it. Like, there was one part where Superman tackled Zod and they crashed through literally like 50 buildings before finally landing. I was just like "OK, are they going to stop now?". I mean, it's great because it shows how powerful he is, but they could've quit after like 20 buildings and still got the point across. They kind of pushed it a little far and bored me to death.

You know I always say, the plot is what always brings me back in the end. So here's why I'm conflicted. This movie did a frikin' fantastic job of a bringing a fresh new take to the Superman backstory with Krypton's destruction and Clark's childhood and everything. The first half of the movie is focused around that, and the second half is mostly focused around resolving the issue at hand (which involves a lot of tackling, punching, collapsing buildings, explosions, etc.).

Also, if a movie makes me feel emotions on an intense level, you've got me. When Superman flew for the first time, I think there were tears. That was probably THE most powerful scene in the film (at least for me). Not that there weren't many others. Actually, it might have been the most powerful "first flight" in any Superman adaption (at least that I've seen. And I've seen several). His power of flight is always the last power he gains control of, isn't it? Because it's the most epic one, amiright?

I mentioned the cinematography when I was talking about the action, but the amazingness was constant throughout the entire film. And the special effects were mind-blowingly incredible! And the music. The music! Ah! Hans Zimmer has yet to fail me. Another musical masterpiece!

As for the acting, there were a couple minor actors that were "meh", but the main actors were spot on with their performance. A standing ovation for all of them! Can I say "huzzah!" for all the actors of all ages that played Clark?

They strayed away from canon a lot which is another conflict for me as a geek. Even though I went in with an open mind, expecting there to be changes, I was still a bit shaken. Despite the fact that they stuck to the basics, I still missed the traditional Fortress of Solitude, the red trunks, how Jonathan Kent died, etc. But I put aside my pride and rolled with it. I'm coming to terms with it. There's a bunch of characters and references to canon that are there that people who aren't familiar with the originals might think are just wasting screen time or are just another character (like Perry White or Pete Ross).

Overall, I thought that it was a gosh darn good movie! They just could've cut back on the action a bit, that's my one big criticism. Everything else is a typical thing I encounter a lot and can deal with (my headcanons getting messed with, minor acting not being top notch, etc.). I don't know, I think I need to watch it again before I make a firm decision on how much I really liked it. I might decide that the action's not so bad and that everything else is better than I remembered OR I could decide that the action is just as bad or worse and everything else just doesn't cancel it out. But for now, I'm giving it an 8/10 with the ability to retract and change after the second viewing.

(Oh, did I mention it's really, really LOUD?)