Man of Steel (2013)

What's it about? Krypton is on the brink of destruction due to out of control mining of the planet's core. General Zod and his cohorts seek to take over control from the planet's ruling body, discovering in the process that Jor-El and his wife Lara have violated Krypton's laws by conceiving and giving birth to a child the "old-fashioned" way, instead of through the now normal genetic engineering approach. Before Zod can stop them, Jor-El and Lara launch their son towards earth in an escape craft, knowing that Earth's yellow sun will bestow on Kal-El powers that will render him all but invincible.

When Kal-El crash-lands in Kansas he is found and adopted by Jonathan and Martha Kent who quickly discover that he is no ordinary child. As the newly-named Clark grows up and his powers develop he struggles to come to terms with them, hide them and control them and as he moves into adulthood he becomes a nomadic loner, although his occasional use of his powers begins to attract the attentions of Lois Lane, a reporter for The Daily Planet. Then, Zod and his associates arrive, searching for Kal-El and planning to take over the planet. Clark must come to terms with who he really is and take his stand on behalf of his adopted home.

What is it like? As has been the case with much of director Zack Snyder's output, this one divided audiences, perhaps moreso than it divided critics who mostly seemed to enjoy the approach taken to this most iconic of superheroes. The opening scenes on Krypton play out as full-on sci-fi, with the planet proving beautifully and richly rendered with harsh, angular landscapes and suitably other-worldly flora and fauna. Kal-El/Clark is presented as a person very much out of place, not feeling at home and not sure of his place in the world. His conversations with Kevin Costner's Jonathan Kent are the richest elements of the film, his plea of "why can't we go back to pretending I'm your son?" met immediately with, "you are my son". Zod is presented as suitably villainous by the outstanding Michael Shannon, his performance wholly different from but just as compelling as that of Terence Stamp in the original franchise. Amy Adams' Lois Lane is a perhaps a little thin, but Henry Cavill really delivers as Superman, covering his move from solitude to prominence adroitly and always convincing as a fully-rounded character.

As the story moves into its final act and Zod and Supes set about each other, we do find ourselves embroiled in the seemingly now unavoidable massive city-wide destruct-othon. As Zod comes to terms with his acquisition of the same powers enjoyed by Superman, they inevitably lay into each other with increasing gusto, but the wholesale collateral destruction does feel a little too familiar to really impact. Likewise, the decision to play the film very straight and very serious will not suit everyone. It is a definite and committed approach and works excellently, but many will protest "where is the fun?". With Christopher Nolan on board as producer, this was always going to take the Batman/serious approach, so if nothing else go in with your eyes wide open. This is not being played for laughs.