Movies with Isaiah: My favorite Superman movie might surprise you
Growing up in the '80s and '90s afforded me the privilege of being introduced to a vast display of various superheroes.
Spider-Man, Batman, The Incredible Hulk, X-Men, Captain America, etc.However, one specific character always had a special place in my heart. The very first superhero film I watched was the 1978 classic "Superman: The Movie." I grew up reading the comics, watching the animated series, playing with the action figures, and my dad would often draw the insignia for me whenever I asked him.
Watching the very first Superman film has brought forth fond memories of sitting in the living room with my father sitting in his La-Z-Boy chair as I'm sitting on the floor. The iconic logo and cinematic score echoed, sending actual chills throughout my body. Afterward, I'd have my mom safely pin a towel around my neck, creating a cape. I'd stand in the familiar pose before attempting to "fly" from one couch to the other in the living room. Superman will always be my favorite superhero since he was the first that my father introduced me to.
In 2013, the cinemas and viewers witnessed the return of the Man of Tomorrow to the silver screen in a modern-day retelling of his origins. Technological limitations from past Superman films made it next to impossible to fully use the proper visualizations and effects to bring his world and abilities to life in an exciting, refreshing and faithful fashion. Visionary director Christopher Nolan, after the success of "The Dark Knight" trilogy and "Inception," became an executive producer and hired screenwriter David Goyer, using a concept of presenting Superman into a realistic, grounded and modern setting that brought forth interesting questions to the world's reaction to an alien with godlike abilities revealing himself to the world. How would local and global governments react? What would the reaction from society create? Not only are those interesting questions for the viewers to ponder, but it was essentially the first film to focus on the actual conflicts of the character. There's nothing from a human perspective that could physically cause him legitimate harm. He has the literal strength, speed and courage of an actual god. There's also an abundance of complex emotions with him, as he is the last of his kind and has become attached to Earth.
Zack Snyder, director of fantastic films such as "300," "Watchmen," "Dawn of the Dead" and "Batman vs. Superman," was brought forth into establishing a cinematic shared universe with this reimagining of the Man of Steel. Henry Cavill was cast to portray the titular character, Amy Adams portrays Lois Lane, Michael Shannon depicts the villainous Kryptonian General Zodd, Diane Lane and Kevin Costner portray Martha and Jonathan Kent, and Russell Crowe performs as Jor-El.
2013's "Man of Steel" retells the origin of Kal-El being sent to Earth after the destruction of his home planet, Krypton, as the last of his kind. Growing up in Smallville, Kansas, he's raised by Martha and Jonathan Kent, who instill in him a powerful moral compass, a code of honor and impactful lessons that resonate within the fabric of his very core. Kryptonian warrior General Zodd is in pursuit of Kal-El in search of the last piece of technology to establish Krypton and enslave humanity. Throughout the course of the film, we're treated to fantastic, grandiose visuals on an epic scale, complex emotional scenarios of character exploration and a Superman that's presented in a more serious realistic world that has him questioning his purpose. None of which is out of the ordinary, as there have been a multitude of stories with the character questioning his existence and wondering about his destiny.
Snyder is a visual genius with his abilities of using the camera and hiring a creative team that has the talent to conceptualize what he envisions in his mind. In my opinion, there's no other director like him in the camera department. All of his shots are unique, fresh and establish a significant contrast to the almost cartoon visuals of past and current superhero cinematic epics. I've always maintained how Snyder's style, in my eyes, mirrored the comic book aspect of using the "Gods Amongst Us" visuals, if that makes any sense. The best way I can describe it is comparing the visuals of "Man of Steel," "Batman vs. Superman" or his recent cut of the Justice League to any Marvel film as of late to grasp the true comparison.
Henry Cavill's performance as Superman received some interesting and unfair polarized reception. A lot of fans and general audience views from my perspective were expecting a similar depiction that Christopher Reeve displayed. Many statements indicated that Cavill was too broody, sulking and gave off the impression of the film being completely joyless. I respectfully disagree with those critics. Since the late, great Christopher Reeve, Henry Cavill is literally the closest actor to a perfect Superman that we'll ever have. Pick up any past comic book of Superman. Place it next to a picture of Henry as the character: about as picture perfect as we'll ever get in my eyes. He looks and sounds exactly how I always heard it in my mind when reading the comics.
Amy Adams was the weakest point for me. Lois Lane, in my opinion, will always be the late, great Margot Kidder. Lois is sassy, spunky, curious and alluring all in one wonderful package that separates her from other literary or cinematic damsel-in-distress characters. Amy, with all due respect to her, I do believe is a talented actress, she's just too bland as Lois, nor did I feel any actual chemistry between her and Cavill.
Michael Shannon is literal perfection as General Zodd. Terrence Stamp portrayed the character in the 1978 sequel "Superman II." His representation of the villain was more specific for that time period in having him not be as vicious, brutal or intimidating since he was campier rather than menacing force of nature. Shannon brought the necessary acting chops in establishing exactly how ruthless, intelligent and committed Zodd is when it came to accomplishing his goals in bringing forth Kryptonian perfection over human civilization.
"Man of Steel" brings to life some of the most innovative and exciting action and flight sequences from Superman. Limitations in technological advances in the '70s and '80s made the task of faithfully capturing Superman's flight, strength and speed next to impossible on a proper scale as the technology, at the time, didn't exist in rendering it in an exciting manner without it looking immensely dated by todays standards.
Being able to witness the graceful supersonic speed of Superman breaking the sound barrier as he flies through the blue skies yields majestic wonders. His first flight sequence is inspiring in a way that, for me on a personal level, debunks critics' responses that the film didn't present the themes of being hopeful. It's a beautiful scene to have witnessed, especially given that it was the first experience in an IMAX theater. The action sequences in Smallville and Metropolis is what a lot of fans demanded in being able to see Superman battle an opponent on equal grounds of power, strength, and speed. Words cannot express the pure true comic book coming to life notion until one finds themselves transfixed on the screen in complete bewilderment over two alien beings engaging in aerial and ground combat.
"Man of Steel" is a vastly underrated film that received a significant amount of unjustified criticism that I believe was more due to the fact that Marvel was still having massive success. Perhaps this type of film would've been better suited for today's cinematic climate. Granted, it doesn't contain any form of intentional serious political allegories and represents actual escapism to its core. Religious symbolism aside, I loved this refreshing take on Superman in more of an uncertain, paranoid and realistic world where not everything is as hopeful or as picture-perfect for an ideal perspective. I've always believed Snyder's point with his story was building up that hope with this character before he's fully formed as The Man of Tomorrow. The concept of Superman is that he's the type of being that we should strive to be in terms of becoming a better version of ourselves. For all his gifts he uses them for good rather than for malicious intent.
For me, this is my favorite Superman film of all time. I rate it slightly higher than the 1978 classic since that's the first and will always be the best for obvious reasons.
"Man of Steel" can and should be viewed in a metaphorical sense of passing the torch posthumously from Christopher Reeve to Henry Cavill. One scene in particular hits to the emotional core in a heartwarming, inspiring tribute to Christopher Reeve. Should you get a chance to watch the film, I imagine you will pick up on the scene I am speaking about.
I highly recommend this fantastic retelling of the world's first superhero in a modern setting with grandiose epic visuals, innovative and exciting action sequences and great performances from Henry Cavill, Michael Shannon and Russell Crowe. As well with it being an emotionally realistic story capping it off as the true definitive Superman story coming to life. An absolute soaring two thumbs up in the end that I will always recommend.
Fun little fact to close this review. After watching it in an IMAX cinema, I watched this film another four times because I loved it that much. It's a shame this didn't receive the fair assessment that it should've and found itself easily disregarded due to it not resembling the standard Marvel formula of cinema. I ask that you watch this film again, or even if it's your first time give it a fair chance before accepting the unfair unjustified negative connotations. "Man of Steel," in the end, for me will always be the perfect Superman film on screen.
Isaiah Ridley works at Beacon Cinemas in Sumter. To watch his movie reviews online, find him @Izzy's Cinematic Escape on YouTube.