Man of Steel

Last week, on its opening day, Zach, my dad, and I went to see Man of Steel.  In just a few words, it's a great movie, well worth seeing in the theater.  I thought it especially appropriate that it opened on Fathers Day weekend, as the father-son theme is dominant throughout.  Kal-El comes to know (and embody, by taking on General Zod) his true father, Jor-El, while struggling with the life lessons given him by his human foster father, Jonathan Kent.  As with any Christopher Nolan-influenced film, there's some real nice messages throughout:  honor and respect your father, help others, take responsibility, choose the man you want to be.  That's simplifying it a bit but really what it boils down to.  It's the stereotypical Kansas (hometown American) values extolled.

The action is top notch but not too violent (a la Zack Snyder's first film, 300).  There really isn't any sex, and the "love story" between Superman and Lois Lane is more of a side-story that's treated lightly than the 'complicated' relationship (with illegitimate child) of Superman Returns.  There's some nice reflections to the old westerns and to New York on 9/11 that strike just the right tone.  The villains are appropriately menacing and complex without being stupid and one-dimensional.  I thought Henry Cavill knocked it out of the park in the title role. At age 38, Amy Adams is a bit mis-cast, as she seems a lot older than Cavill (a young 30).  Still, she is a great actress and shines in this movie.

Someone pointed out to me the clear parallel to the Moses story, which had never occurred to me but is apparent in this film.  There's also a nice visit to a church that is reverent and not at all mocking.  One shot of Cavill in front of stained glass window of Jesus takes it a little far, but it can be forgiven.  Lastly, I should say that the back-story of the fall of Krypton, while a tad long, is fascinating and visually stunning on its own.  There's a nice dig at dithering legislators (and of course to climate change disasters) and the sanctity of life is emphasized.  The use of frequent flashbacks rather than a traditional narrative is also welcoming.