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?)

My Trophies

You know that feeling where your life is utterly meaningless, but there's only one thing in the distant future that keeps you going? That glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel? That trophy at the end of a long run? Well what if someone suddenly blew out that light right as you got there? Or took away the trophy? You'd feel pretty bummed right? The one thing you've been riding on for months has suddenly been pulled out from under you! I have literally been counting the days to this moment, only for it to be pushed back. One day does make a difference! The thought of everyone else out there doing the thing you've been waiting for for months while you have to sit at home doing the same old thing you've been doing every day when you were expecting to be out there with everyone else. Why can't I drive!? If I were at school, I would be able to just walk! But no. I had to be suspended because of my stupid deteriorating brain.
This happens all the time. My trophy always gets yanked away at the last second. But normally, I just suck it up (maybe sulk for a little) and then move on. But NO! Not this time! This has been one of my longest runs and most anticipated trophies in a long time. I have been so psyched for this trophy! I seriously cried when I found out about this trophy and actually cried again when I found out I wasn't getting it when I expected. I have a list of when things that go my way that I add to when I actually get my trophy when I expect to (I started it at the beginning of this year, hoping it would help me be more positive). There are 5 things on it. Five. Out of... well a lot more than five. I don't care how ridiculous the trophy may seem to other people. I am excited about it and it has given me something to look forward to. And when I don't get my trophy, it just disappoints and ticks me off. It doesn't give me "one more day of anticipation". And the longer the run has been, the testier I get when it comes to receiving the trophy. If it is planned out in advance when I will receive the trophy (whether out loud or in my head) and suddenly at the last minute, it switches... all my impatience surfaces in unpleasant emotions.


...This happened with Tangled too. We had to wait SO LONG!

And The Princess and the Frog! I had to talk Dad into dropping me off after some church activity on a Saturday two days after it came out.

This is why I never ask for anything. Because I don't get it, or we don't do it forever, or it's pushed to the side while we do other people's things, and sometimes forgotten about until I bring it up again.

I'm not asking anyone to really understand my need to get my trophy the day of, but just try to accept it's one of the few things I ask for and try to help me out. The only time it's ever happened is while I was at college and I could walk myself. I don't care if I see it with anyone, I'll go sit in between strangers because you're not supposed to talk anyway. I just want to see the blinkin' movie! The second or third time, I'll go see it with the family (which is often why my trophy gets taken away or pushed back a day). Because I'll still have the same opinions and it'll still be awesome! (Because I probably won't be so psyched about something that turns out to be so bad I won't want to see it again).


Now just to clarify, my trophies are not just movies, but those are often the longest anticipated that are most frequently yanked away from me and just so happen to be what sparked this post.

A Super Post

Since there seems to be a surplus of movies coming out lately, I thought it appropriate to post about this. Now, I'm just going to talk about a couple of my favorites since this would be rather extensive if I talked about every single one in existence.

SPIDER-MAN

My favorite superhero. He's always been my favorite, but I wasn't very vocal about it until the new reboot movie, The Amazing Spider-Man, was released. I hadn't really read much of the comics before, but I knew generally what the character was like in them and I liked how he was portrayed in the reboot better than the original trilogy. I just love this hero, OK? The crawling on walls, the swinging across rooftops, the Spider-sense, the super strength, the quick reflexes. His powers are so AWESOME!!! Plus his outfit is pretty sweet (even though I'm not a huge fan of red).
The Amazing Spider-Man got it right: in the comics, the web-shooting wasn't originally part of his powers, but something he developed later. In the beginning, he developed web-shooters for his wrists-- as seen in the movie. Also, he's such a smart-alek while he's got the mask on, in the comics, and the movie got that right as well. Another unique trait is that he's the first teenage superhero to actually star in his own comic. Before, the teens were usually just the sidekicks. And then his secret identity, Peter Parker, just d'aaaawww! In the original trilogy he was played by Tobey Maguire, but honestly I'm not a huge fan of his. I mean, sometimes I thought maybe he was sort of cute, but then sometimes there was just something about his face that bothered me. There was something about the way he talked... I don't know. But still, his character :D!!! But then Andrew Garfield took the role and portrayed it in a completely different way... and I liked it!
SECRET IDENTITY: PETER PARKER: a nerdy high school student who loves science and gets bullied a lot.

ZORRO

He's as much of a superhero as Batman (apparently he's a big inspiration for Batman). Using his mad fighting skills to defeat the bad guys, no special super powers. I was completely obsessed with The Mask of Zorro a couple years ago. It's still seriously one of my all-time favorite movies. I have only seen The Mask of Zorro and its sequel, The Legend of Zorro, so I only have one version of Zorro to discuss here. I love those old swashbuckling films with sword fights, secret plots, revenge, chases, escapes, "true love, miracles" (a little movie quote humor there for ya XP). I remember when I first watched this, it was purely because I was curious as to what Zorro was... and then I was hooked. I've always liked his outfit. Very... I don't know what the word is I'm looking for. Dashing? Foxy? (LOLOLOL "Foxy". Get it? Because Zorro means "fox" in Spanish?) Anyways, I love that he sometimes warns his enemies (with his trademark "Z") and they still are never prepared for him XD. I can't quite be sure about his secret identity since he's had several, although I think his most famous is Don Diego De la Vega (which is the mentor in The Mask of Zorro). Of course the one I'm familiar with is Alejandro Murrieta/De la Vega (played by Antonio Banderas), who succeeded Don Diego.
SECRET IDENTITY: DON DIEGO DE LA VEGA: a rather foppish, passionless young don who does not care much for action, romance, etc.

BATMAN

Speaking of Batman... of course everybody's favorite superhero is on my list. Seriously though, he is EVERYBODY'S favorite! I'm not really sure why. The musical, Holy Musical B@man, explores this concept, why does everybody love Batman so much? (Also I remember I saw an interview with The Avengers cast and somebody asked one of them who their favorite superhero was when he was growing up. At first he said Superman and only got a few cheers, which he noticed, so he changed his answer to Batman and got almost everybody cheering.) But, I admit, he is pretty awesome! I've probably seen the most movie versions of this hero than any others. Of course, lately I've been watching the ones starring Christian Bale. His outfit is pretty boss and his logo is probably my favorite superhero logo (it's a shame you can barely see it in the Christian Bale movies). The "Batman Voice" is the best though. It sounds like he's battling throat cancer or something. I can hardly take him seriously most of the time because it's just so different from his Bruce Wayne voice (you know, his secret identity in case you were oblivious).
SECRET IDENTITY: BRUCE WAYNE: carefree billionaire playboy who owns pretty much all of Gotham City.

SUPERMAN

Quite frankly, I will never understand why this one is not more popular. I mean, he is the epitome of the superhero! I freakin' love Superman (right after Spider-Man)! He's like the only (famous/popular) hero that can fly, he's got super strength, x-ray vision, heat vision, super speed, super breath/ice breath, and he's invicible (that's my favorite one. I love watching bullets ricochet off him, or when he gets whacked by a steel pole or something and is completely unaffected). Also, he's actually got an original backstory compared to most other superheroes. No radioactivity accidents or a tragic childhood or whatever. He's also the originator of most of the superhero stereotypes like changing in a phone booth.
I didn't know more than the average Joe on Superman until recently when I found out about the new movie, Man of Steel, which is coming out this Friday actually (SO PUMPED!). Then I started looking into it more. I've left my education (which included watching all the Christopher Reeve films and Smallville) with newfound love and appreciation for the character. I found that I not only love his hero side, but I totally love his secret identity. Clark Kent just always makes me laugh. Despite being the most well-known, he is the most glossed over. It must be the bright red trunks on the outside of his costume that loses people's respect XD. I suppose it's a good thing they took them away in the new film, although I'll admit I was a tiny bit disappointed.
SECRET IDENTITY: CLARK KENT: clumsy, socially awkward news reporter for the Daily Planet.

THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL

The original superhero. Lots of people say that Zorro is the originator of the superhero, but actually it's this one. He's the one that made the secret identity famous (although Zorro is the one that started the whole wearing a mask thing). This will forever be my favorite book, it's SOOO good! Again, no superpowers, he just relies wholly on his high intelligence, strategic thinking, and wit. For those of you that don't know, the Scarlet Pimpernel is a mysterious being who rescues french aristocrats from being beheaded at the guillotine. He doesn't wear a mask, but wears disguises to get past the guards at the gates in Paris so he can smuggle the aristocrats out. He is called "The Scarlet Pimpernel" because he always leaves behind a note signed with a small, red, star-shaped flower called a scarlet pimpernel.This character had a lot of inspiration for Zorro (who, in turn, had a lot of inspiration for Batman). So I suppose this one indirectly inspired Batman XD. I have seen three movie versions of this, but my favorite is the 1982 version with Anthony Andrews as Sir Percy (the 1934 version is pretty good too, but the TV mini series from 1999 is awful, awful, AWFUL!!! D:)
SECRET IDENTITY: SIR PERCIVAL BLAKENEY: a foppish, lazy english aristocrat who spends most of his days fussing over fashion, and writing "masterpiece" poems.

Have you noticed that like ALL superheroes are orphans? I mean Spider-Man lives with his aunt and uncle, Zorro-- well depends on which version-- but I think they're all orphans, Batman's parents were killed right in front of him when he was a kid, Superman's planet exploded when he was a baby (last son of Krypton, right?), the Scarlet Pimpernel's mom went crazy when he was kid and died shortly after and his dad died right after he sent him off to boarding school.
Iron Man's an orphan, Wolverine's an orphan, all the X-Men are orphans, Green Arrow's an orphan, Captain America's an orphan, I mean THEY'RE ALL ORPHANS!

Best of Smallville

You knew there was going to be one. There's always a post shortly following every show I watch. And since I finally finished this one last week...

(You know I really just make these posts for my own amusement, right? I don't expect anyone to read them, especially if you have no idea what they're about.)

TOP 10 MOMENTS (pretty much just funny moments, because that's what tickles my fancy and stays in my head the best out of everything I watch. And there were 10 seasons to sort through to remember my favorite stuff. You might get a follow up post of epic moments or romantic moments or memorable moments or something)

10) Reenacting a Crime Scene

Of course a mom with kids would have to walk in on that XD.

9) Pete's Secret

I love how everyone (meaning Clark and the viewers) are expecting him to tell her Clark's secret, but then he goes and does that. Talk about plot twist! I also love how shell-shocked Clark looks. Ha!

8) "I'm the Blur."

And the Man of Steel is taken down by a petite reporter. This was like the best reaction to him telling anyone that he had a secret identity.

7) Socially Awkward Clark Kent

Go HERE for video

The first time we really get a taste of the Clark Kent we all know and love from the comics. The milkshake thing, OMG I just about choked on my own saliva. Who comes up with this stuff? XD

6) The Green Arrow?

(I've always wondered how that slap didn't hurt her hand.) Oliver's face always cracks me up and his dry: "So tell him thank you". I'm sure neither Oliver nor Clark ever expected her to do that. And Clark's face after he runs away. Plus Jimmy snapping pictures the entire time just makes it better. (Of course all the Clois shippers sang hallelujah since this was technically their first kiss).

5) Sharing the Bathroom

Poor Clark. Victim of Lois's big mouth and forward ways. I love their love/hate relationship before they become a couple, it's hilarious. "SHOWERS! We took separate SHOWERS." LOL.

4) Shower Encounter

Once again, poor Clark. All he does is get out of the shower and two women are mad at him XD. And not the focus of the scene, but Clark sings in the shower XDDD

3) Normal Reporter

"Aren't you going to do anything?" "You're absolutely right, Lois *dramatically takes out phone* 911?". Gold! Superman actually calls the police. And the whole rooftop scene is hilarious! When Chloe/Lois comes at him with the pipe or when he's enjoying the acoustics or complaining about the rust. I die laughing every time! XDD

2) Lovesick Lois

The way Clark hightails it out of there when she goes to put the CD in... BAHAHAHAHAHA!!! I seriously suffocate on my laughter!

1) Posing as an Engaged Couple

All their nicknames for each other, Pumpkin, Muffin, Poodle, Cupcake. Pffffft! The way Clark just shoves the ring onto Lois's finger. Oliver's reaction is the best though. "Is this true?" "I'm afraid so." XD This scene is the best!