Director: Zack Snyder
Starring: Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Russell Crowe, Michael Shannon, Kevin Costner, Diane Lane
Run Time: 143 minutes
Certificate: 12a
IMDb Summary: A young itinerant worker is forced to confront his secret extraterrestrial heritage when Earth is invaded by members of his race.
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No! It's 'Man Of Steel' soaring over expectations and thwarting doubters, proving that, when in the right hands, Superman can be given the film he deserves. Director Zack Snyder, alongside producer and general genius Christopher Nolan, have created a thrilling experience, allowing everyone to cast aside their cheesy allusions of the spandex clad hero, and instead appreciate the man underneath.
Presented in a non-linear narrative, the manner in which we are given Clark Kent's story on earth is both refreshing and, at times, incredibly poignant. You become deeply invested with the misunderstood boy, watching as he deals with extraordinary powers in a rather ordinary, cynical and cold world. When he finally finds out his true self, and steps into the all important suit, it's a moment of comic film triumph - you'll want to stand and cheer as he takes his first flight, as well as gaze in awe at the beautifully elaborate effects used to create such a scene. This film is not one for a home DVD viewing, it simply MUST be seen on the big screen. Scraping on technology and effects is something 'Man of Steel' does not do, and with a budget of around $150 million, every dime has been put to painstakingly good use.
Though Henry Cavill has been in his fair share of films, it has to be said that, before Superman, he was a relatively new face. He does, however, carry this film with great poise and charisma, not allowing his performance to be eclipsed in any way by the big Hollywood names he is surrounded by. Sympathetic, sincere and downright likeable, Cavill embodies the role perfectly. This is likewise for Amy Adams as the fiery Lois Lane, proving that not all comic heroines have to be damsels in distress 24/7. It's no secret that the actress has auditioned for this role in previous Superman films, and we think the casting directors of those failed attempts are probably kicking themselves after seeing Adams, and all the brilliant cast for that matter, in 'Man Of Steel'.
With enough grit to make it feel real, enough mind-blowing effects to make it an escape, and enough heart to make it emotionally charged, 'Man of Steel' thrives during this ever evolving era of comic book adaptations to the screen. You won't be disappointed.
