Man Of Steel Review: Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Michael Shannon, Effects Shine

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UPDATE: No John Williams Theme “March Of Superman” In Man Of Steel

man-of-steel-box-office-02Man Of Steel is a great movie. While not quite as good as Iron Man 3 or Star Trek: Into Darkness, there should be a photo of Henry Cavill’s version of Superman right next to the word “epic” in the dictionary.

Man Of Steel was that big a film.

What stops MOS from being in a place where it is as excellent a work of film to match its bigness, is in the design of the story. The use of flashbacks did not serve Man Of Steel well. While they did help move the story along, the flashbacks helped it along too well.

In an origin story, especially one where the writers and producers and director were making so many changes to the characters, having a few linear moments of levity during his young years would have been perfect.

And while I liked Hans Zimmer’s music, it wasn’t on the level of John Williams. You need an epic movie soundtrack to go with an epic film, and Mr. Zimmer didn’t bring that – John Williams’ “March Of Superman” is still the gold standard, and it’s role as the thrown-holder here has not been touched.

As for the actors, Henry Cavill has nailed the Superman / Clark Kent character, and is at his best in his scenes with Diane Lane and Kevin Costner, who plays his mother, Martha Kent and dad Johnathan Kent, respectively. Amy Adams’ Lois Lane needed more to do in terms of meat, and while she was good, there were one too many times where she seems reduced to needing Superman’s help.

Michael Shannon’s ‘General Zod’ was the best ever, and Mr. Shannon is arguably the best actor in the movie, and one of the best bad guys in film history, and combined with how well Lawrence Fishburn played Perry White, was the reason Man Of Steel is a top-knotch film.

Well, that and the special effects. Give the Oscar to Man of Steel now, don’t wait for the obviously-animated, night-time and rain-covered Pacific Rim.

Stay tuned.

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