I always wondered why people seem excited to watch Superman, I get that Batman and Spider Man and the Avengers are all interesting characters but Superman has always been so bland
Woo used it more. WAY more.
See, none of them got turned into a lazy internet meme like Snyder did. THAT'S the major difference.
Skews perception like crazy. It's why just by reading GAF, you'd think that no one likes TDKR. But it'll still score high in a movie of the year thread.It's almost as if there is an inexhaustible club of posters who never miss an opportunity to air their grievances over and over and over and over.
I always wondered why people seem excited to watch Superman, I get that Batman and Spider Man and the Avengers are all interesting characters but Superman has always been so bland
Well Woo hasn't made a good movie since the 90's and most of the people probably never saw his main body of work. It's all about exposure.
I always wondered why people seem excited to watch Superman, I get that Batman and Spider Man and the Avengers are all interesting characters but Superman has always been so bland
Well Woo hasn't made a good movie since the 90's and most of the people probably never saw his main body of work. It's all about exposure.
You are thinking of it from the wrong perspective. In terms of sheer exposure to the 18-35 crowd the biggest body of work is . . . Smallville. Suck it comic readers. You have been replaced.
I'd argue that and the Justice League/Superman/Batman animated series are where most people aged 18-35 got their conception of what these characters are supposed to be.
I always wondered why people seem excited to watch Superman, I get that Batman and Spider Man and the Avengers are all interesting characters but Superman has always been so bland
You should read Busiek's Superman: Secret Identity. It is only four issues and a great story.
You should read Busiek's Superman: Secret Identity. It is only four issues and a great story.
Secret Identity, For All Seasons, All-Star, and Birthright.
Read all of those and tell me if you find Supes bland/boring.
His characterization in Returns was pretty boring (IMO) but that was a direct copy of Reeves' Superman. As with any of the other heroes, Superman has evolved since then, but that evolution has failed to have been properly adapted on the big screen...til now, I hope.
You should read Busiek's Superman: Secret Identity. It is only four issues and a great story.
Bullshit "most of the people" never saw his main body of work. 1) who are "the people" and 2) what constitutes his "main body of work?" Even if you wanna say people only saw Broken Arrow and Face Off - there is a TON of slo-mo in both those movies. Not counting bonafide classics such as The Killer and Hard Boiled.
When they were made doesn't really have any bearing, either. In fact, being older works against whatever argument you're making.
This is a sidetrack that is sidetracking for the point of not appearing wrong on the internet, and is going further away from my main point, which is that Zack Snyder's crimes against cinema with the weapon of slow-motion are exaggerated, and not without lots of precedent.
Saying "Zack Snyder = Slo-Mo lol" isn't a criticism, it's repetition of a cheap meme as substitution for critical thought.
You are thinking of it from the wrong perspective. In terms of sheer exposure to the current 18-35 crowd the biggest body of work is . . . the Smallville tv show.
Suck it comic readers. You have been replaced.
I tried watching the animated movie and found it to be some of the dumbest shit I have ever seen...maybe I was missing something... but I lost it around the point Superman rebuilt the Ttanic then fought Sampson in an underground lava cave, then the god of death showed up....oh an Lana gets super powers, because why not, and she gets super paranoid because of some cloth....also a giant space creature that eats universes created with a space anvil....wat
haha your description paints an absolute trainwreck of a film yet leaves me intrigued to the point where I want to see this now!
Saying "Zack Snyder = Slo-Mo lol" isn't a criticism, it's repetition of a cheap meme as substitution for critical thought.
Maybe the batman cartoons did right by Batman, but the Superman cartoon did not do as well and the Justice League and JLU didn't really flesh out any Superman storylines - they just used his rogues gallery for the most part.You mean the DCU cartoons right?
I saw this about two weeks ago, by accident pretty much. Had to sacrifice a sneak peek at something else, but glad to say I don't regret it. I'll keep my impressions as spoiler free as possible.
I'm not a comic fan just so you know. My exposure to Superman is from the original Donner movies, then the Justice League cartoons. Also, he's still a pussy, This movie doesn't change that!
The movie is good, and entertaining. I don't think I'll use hyperbole of calling it the best movie of the year two months in, but it's a top five, if not top three, superhero movie. I imagine Superman fans are going to really love this, unless somehow people don't like this characterisation of Clark Kent/Superman. Which if you don't, then I don't know what to say. I think this is the best live action version of Superman and it does a great job of making him feel relatable. Just so you know, I consider Batman Begins the cream of the crop and the best superhero movie.
For fans of the Nolan Batman trilogy, you'll take to this quite quickly, like I did. It has a very similar feel to a Nolan movie. I guess that shouldn't be a surprise since Nolan was involved, but I thought his involvement wasn't that great supposedly. Either way, it does genuinely feel similar in style when it comes to the storytelling. The one it holds most similarity to is Batman Begins. Not too much of a surprise since it's also an origin story, but it's also tightly told which is the key point. It doesn't move as swiftly as Batman Begins did, but it's still really nicely paced. Like Batman Begins, it's a reserved and more character focused tale, but it also has comic elements. I'd say it's just slightly less serious/grounded than that movie.
The story is simple, and executed better for it. You're basically presented Clark Kent as a boy/man going through changes and having an internal conflict about his identity. This character arc has a two step resolution.The first is him coming to terms with his role as a potential protector of humanity, a conflict fueled by various events in his life, which brings us the first amazing and climactic point of the movie with the birth of Superman. The second is the reality of the existence of Superman on humanity and him coming to peace with what that means for him and how he is perceived. This obviously brings us the major climax of the movie, supported by an ass whooping.
The action is great in the movie. There is fair bit of it. It feels like The Matrix. By that, I mean it's quite over the top. This is good because it's Superman. There are a lot of little touches that are shown by Henry Cavill which give more gravitas to the vulnerability of Superman. Moments where he's shaken or staggered. They're just cool moments. The action is both slow and fast which gives an effect of something superhuman occurring. In terms of action,It really does feel like the first time Superman has been done justice in live action. There is one moment near the end where you will go, this is fucking Superman. It's basically the climactic moment. I'll have to re-watch Avengers, but I think I enjoyed the action in this movie more than any other superhero movie because it just had a lot of weight behind it.there are about four major setpieces. Then there are a lot of little action moments in between.
You want Superman to succeed.
Henry Cavill is Superman to me now. I like his take on the character. I don't really care necessarily how Superman/Clark Kent is in the comics. But Henry has a really good performance and brings a new Superman for the modern era. One who is powerful, strong, and inhumane in ability, yet also relatable and earns our sympathy. Also, he looks so much more awesome with the beard. It would be amazing having a Superman with a beard. Let him be clean shaven as Clark Kent, but then when he goes all manly and turns into Superman, he grows a beard instantly too. You get used to seeing Cavill without the beard, but it's so weird. Like he was born to have that beard.
Also, damn Zod is badass. Too badass. He comes out with some next level quotes. I don't even--
The weakest aspect of this movie is the Lois Lane/Clark Kent/Superman relationship. I don't think Amy Adams turned in a bad performance, but in a movie which is quite tight and focused, this aspect was the weakest link. It kind of sticks out. The character on her own is fine, and her little crew are a very pleasant addition, but I think they could've stopped going Hollywood and left a little of the relationship development to a second movie.
Supporting cast is strong. Kevin Costner is really cool. The My-Cocaine of this movie. He's not in it very long, but maybe I like those father figure characters. Also, Morpheus being all Morpheus and being pretty cool again.
The music is very nice. At times slow and emotional, and at others sweeping and epic. The new theme is good. Different, but good. It fits the Man of Steel.
I think I chose to compare this to Batman Begins for a few reasons. It feels similar, it's also character focused, and it does a fantastic job of making you anticipate the next movie. There is a nice blend of serious character focus, and lighthearted humour in the movie. The villains for the sequel are somewhat hinted, and this is a really strong first outing. I'm definitely curious to see what happens with the sequel. They could make an amazing movie like The Dark Knight, or like Iron Man 2, turn out a pile of crap after a solid first movie. Who knows, but as it stands, there will be hyperbole when people see this move. I'm sure of it. That's because it's good, and one of the best superhero movies. More importantly, it's brought Superman from being that little pussy who is always in the shadow of the Goddamn Batman, to more of an equal standing.
Also, MAJOR MAJOR SPOILER DO NOT READ UNLESS YOUR HEART IS READY BECAUSE YOU MAY REGRET:
There is no JGL in this movie. The most relief I've experienced when watching a movie. Why? Because fuck John Blake. He's a shit character. Those rumours had me very wary.
I think Warner Bros. has a hit on its hands. I don't think another billion grossing movie is out of the question if word of mouth is good like I think it will be. If this movie bombs, we may as well not bother with Superman in the future. This is pretty much as good as it gets for a foundation laying movie.
Also, I am more convinced now than ever that WB should not focus on the Justice League.
Batman and Superman is where it's at. Do not waste time with the others. It's time to reboot Batman and bring a team-up movie with these two. The universe of Man of Steel has a nice mix of fantastical elements that we could get Batman with his full rogue gallery in it. This movie would be ridiculously huge. Most importantly, with a Batman/Superman movie, you can still bring what both Batman Begins and Man of Steel do better than any other superhero movie, which is earning your emotional engagement. There is a chance of a great movie with a solid story and some amazing action.
I will begin hoping now.
Maybe the batman cartoons did right by Batman, but the Superman cartoon did not do as well and the Justice League and JLU didn't really flesh out any Superman storylines - they just used his rogues gallery for the most part.
I think more people know who Tom Welling is compared to say Bruce Timm or George Newbern. There was 10 seasons of Smallvile.
Haha wow, this gets truer everyday.
It's the same reason I want to watch Popeye. I want to see Superman solve problems on a massive scale by doing some sort of incredible feat. It's a big draw to me.
But that's not what most people want from the character?
Also, MAJOR MAJOR SPOILER DO NOT READ UNLESS YOUR HEART IS READY BECAUSE YOU MAY REGRET:
There is no JGL in this movie. The most relief I've experienced when watching a movie. Why? Because fuck John Blake. He's a shit character. Those rumours had me very wary.
Dat review!!!
Im goind to explode in the theater if all that is true!
It's the same reason I want to watch Popeye. I want to see Superman solve problems on a massive scale by doing some sort of incredible feat. It's a big draw to me.
But that's not what most people want from the character?
Why does that matter? Since when I am an authority on other peoples taste? Taste is subjective, and you'll enjoy things for a variety of reasons. I legitimately think it's a better movie, even with some of its flaws. I'm also sure more people would likely agree with that sentiment than not so it's not an out there opinion by any means. A movie that has had general great fan and critical reception isn't middling-average by most accounts. Plus, GAF is not one focused entity. I think there's plenty of people on here who would understand and agree with that assessment.Sorry man - if you put TDKR above xmen 2 and iron man, I dont think any of GAF will take your opinion seriously.
TDKR is in the middling-average dept of superhero films.
Seriously, you just described Batman. Hal Jordan is more uptight than Superman too. He probably doesn't like that the Justice League looks to him for all the answers.figboy79 said:I think the problem with Superman, and I suppose it's more accurate to say it's my problem with Superman, is that he's so self righteous.
He has a chip on his shoulder, but instead of treating it like a character flaw, and using it to humanize him, they treat it like a virtue. I understand they want to play up the "God among mortals" angle that's inherent to Superman, but that doesn't make for fun watching when he's just so damn smug about being right and good all the time. He's not as humble and full of humility as people think he is, or expect. Because of that, we don't empathize with him the way we empathize with Peter Parker, for example.
I just also wanted to note that I've read For All Seasons (loved it), Birthright, and All Star Superman. Those were great stories, but I feel like they are exceptions to the rule when it comes to the characterization and arc of Superman.
I didn't like the Superman vs the Elite movie, honestly. Superman himself was ok in the story, but I felt the Elite were pretty lame and uninteresting.
EDIT: @ Mister. I also have problems with Green Lantern and Batman as well. I tend to have a big problem with most of the DCU in terms of crafting down to earth, likable characters. I'm not even a Marvel fanboy, but I tend to look at what they're doing more than DC these days. I think the big, iconic DC characters all suffer from identity issues. I feel the smaller, B and C tier characters have better arcs and characterization (ie, Booster Gold, Nightwing, Robin, The Flash, etc). I prefer Kyle Rayner or John Stewart as a Lantern over Hal.
Maybe the batman cartoons did right by Batman, but the Superman cartoon did not do as well and the Justice League and JLU didn't really flesh out any Superman storylines - they just used his rogues gallery for the most part.
I think more people know who Tom Welling is compared to say Bruce Timm or George Newbern. There was 10 seasons of Smallvile.
I feel like Superman would jive with more people if writers remembered that his story is supposed to be about an outsider who chooses to use his gifts to help people as opposed to some depressing Christ parable about sacrifice and loneliness and blah blah. Those latter portions are elements, certainly, but when you try to make that the whole character, you just make it harder for folks to relate to Superman.