MAN OF STEEL

[Sailor Steve]

Just got back from seeing it. First showing, 11:30 in the morning on a work day, theater maybe 1/4 full if that. Nobody sat next to anybody they didn't come with. Here is my quickie review. Don't worry, there are no spoilers.

The Good: It's more down-to-earth than any previous version. No camp at all, not even any comedy, though there are a couple of minor scenes that made me chuckle. Very serious tone, and very realistic in that manner. Whereas Batman represents the dark side of the DC Universe, Superman is the light. They managed to keep that light despite all the seriousness.

The acting is uniformly good. This is the first time a non-American actor has played the role, and Henry Cavill (The Tudors) grew a great midwest accent. I love Amy Adams. I couldn't really see her as Lois Lane, but her talent made me believe. I was put off when I read Laurence Fishburne was playing Perry White, but then I remembered how much I liked Michael Clarke Duncan as marvel's Kingpin, and sure enough he was great. I'm not a big Kevin Costner fan, but he not only did a fantastic job as Jonathan Kent but he has one of the single most powerful scenes in the movie, and he does it without saying a word. Diane Lane as Martha - I can say no more. Russell Crowe does a bang-up job as Jor-el, and the rest of the cast is just fine.

The Bad: Action. Too much action. Way too much action, all at once and non-stop. It goes from being well-paced and personal to being cosmic. Nothing wrong with that, but once it's done it immediately starts up again. Then it ends. And starts again. By the end I was drained. One good note is that after all that the scene that ends the action is very small and personal. Maybe they planned it that way. Still, it was a bit much overall.

Minor spoilers: Product placement: You've seen the trailers. They blow up a 7-11. Lots of fun there. There is no Lex Luthor, but there is a double tractor-trailer tanker truck that gets wrecked in one scene, and on the side it says 'LEX-CORP', so there's hope for the sequel. That's it, unless I've forgotten something.

It was worth the $5.50 I paid for a matinee, but I doubt I'll see it again in the theater. Then again, I rarely do, unless it's with a friend who hasn't seen it.

Oh, yeah. Unless you like watching all the credits, don't bother staying 'til the very end. This isn't Marvel, and there's no cute scene after they're done rolling.

[Red October1984]

I was never a big fan of the Superman stuff...

I may rent this when it comes out. :hmmm: I don't know.

[Sailor Steve]

I was never a big fan of the Superman stuff...
Different strokes for different folks. I personally own aroun 6,000 comics, 99% of them DC. Of course I was two years old when the George Reeves TV series made it's debut, so I kind of grew up with "Look! Up in the sky..." :sunny:

[Red October1984]

Different strokes for different folks. I personally own aroun 6,000 comics, 99% of them DC. Of course I was two years old when the George Reeves TV series made it's debut, so I kind of grew up with "Look! Up in the sky..." :sunny:

I grew up with late 90's kids TV, Transformers (FTW!), Star Wars, and a crap-ton of Lego stuff (Slightly less FTW but still great). :woot: :D

I always was and still am a big fan of the original Transformers TV Series. Even last year I would get up at 0600 instead of 0700 just to watch it before going off to school...until the Hub Channel dropped it. :doh:

I can't wait for the next movie. I've seen the other 3 Transformers movies probably 30 times each. :rock:

I had an Army that would rival an infantry division of the toys...I had the T-Shirts....I read the comics....read the books.... I'll be a Transformers fan forever. :har:

My childhood was awesome until I got to school age.

And there was also Lego.... I was hardcore lego... I probably had 200 sets of Legos that were mainly Star Wars. This was well before Lego went downhill and started all the video games and TV Shows and all that other crap. I've even got some Halo Legos up in my closet. Cybermat47 knows what I'm talking about.

[Stealhead]

And there was also Lego.... I was hardcore lego... I probably had 200 sets of Legos that were mainly Star Wars. This was well before Lego went downhill and started all the video games and TV Shows and all that other crap. I've even got some Halo Legos up in my closet. Cybermat47 knows what I'm talking about.

Lego went downhill about the time you where born if you ask the opinion of anyone who was a child in the late 70's through the 80's.They had awesome sets back in the day and they also used to have sets focused more on engineering they where called Lego Technic(not the joke new Technic line mind you) and each set had several plans for a machine that actually worked some even used pneumatics you constructed nearly every part now lots of moving parts are already in one piece.

Nothing was overly set specific so you could combine dozes of sets.My brothers and I we would take a huge pile of the old time Technic sets and see who could come up with the best working machine.Now adays though the sets are model specif and have molded parts for what ever the set is about hampering creativity.

Legos used to be more about you making something from the blocks in each set to the set just being another prefab toy that you sort of put together this change happened about 20 years ago in the mid 90's.I'll give you an example back in the 80's when I was around 10 they used to air reruns of the TV show "Black Sheep Squadron" a I freaking loved that show well actually I loved the F4U-1 Corsair in it so I made from Legos my own Corsair.

[Red October1984]

Lego went downhill about the time you where born if you ask the opinion of anyone who was a child in the late 70's through the 80's.They had awesome sets back in the day and they also used to have sets focused more on engineering they where called Lego Technic(not the joke new Technic line mind you) and each set had several plans for a machine that actually worked some even used pneumatics you constructed nearly every part now lots of moving parts are already in one piece.

Nothing was overly set specific so you could combine dozes of sets.My brothers and I we would take a huge pile of the old time Technic sets and see who could come up with the best working machine.Now adays though the sets are model specif and have modled parts for what ever the set is about hampering creativity.


I had some Technic models....Some pretty good ones at that.

Lego didn't go downhill for me til about 2005-6. I loved all those specific sets. I had a fleet of Star Wars stuff. I set up battles all the time.

I don't like the modeled parts....That's one thing I wish they'd stop doing.

[Sailor Steve]

crap-ton
That's Krypton, you philistine! :O:

I always was and still am a big fan of the original Transformers TV Series.
I was already well into adulthood when the first series came out. I thought it was awful then, and my opinion hasn't changed.

I can't wait for the next movie. I've seen the other 3 Transformers movies probably 30 times each. :rock:
Hated the first one. Didn't bother with the rest. As I said, though, different strokes...

I had an Army that would rival an infantry division of the toys...I had the T-Shirts....I read the comics....read the books.... I'll be a Transformers fan forever. :har:
That's why they made the show in the first place - to sell the junk.

Lego went downhill about the time you where born if you ask the opinion of anyone who was a child in the late 70's through the 80's.
And those of us who grew up in the '50s played with the bricks, and nothing else. The first sets came out in the '60s.

[Stealhead]

I had some Technic models....Some pretty good ones at that.

Lego didn't go downhill for me til about 2005-6. I loved all those specific sets. I had a fleet of Star Wars stuff. I set up battles all the time.

I don't like the modeled parts....That's one thing I wish they'd stop doing.

That is my point though 20 years ago they did not have those set specific modeled parts.

It is just like everything else these days mass marketed which means it must please the short attention span uncreative person.This is what is wrong with most everything entertainment wise from movies to toys to video games.When you mass market to "please" all you make it more dull you make it have less substance.

Man of Steel for example Steve pointed out that it had too much action and that is problem right there Super Man is interesting because you get to see his personal struggles its not the action that matters so much its is the inner struggle his pain, his hopes, his dreams and how he deals with them while at the same time using his power to help people that makes him interesting not that he can pick up a locomotive.In most every modern movie now too much focus is on overloading the screen with action and you miss out on or have too little time to absorb the inner struggle stuff which is what really makes any character interesting.

"Das Boot" is good example how to do it right the story is interesting because you get to know the crew and like them there really is not that much action in "Das Boot" and it helps develop the characters you get a lump in your thought at the end and you do not have to have any interest in U-boats or submarines.

[Red October1984]

"Das Boot" is another example the story is interesting because you get to know the crew and like them there really is not that much action in "Das Boot" and it helps develop the characters you get a lump in your thought at the end.

Depends on which cut you see. :hmm2:


Back on topic....

I remember watching this one Superman movie....the last one to come out....Superman Returns I think? I remember it being a pretty decent movie. Not "OMG THIS IS THE BEST" but it was alright.

[Stealhead]

Depends on which cut you see. :hmm2:


Back on topic....

I remember watching this one Superman movie....the last one to come out....Superman Returns I think? I remember it being a pretty decent movie. Not "OMG THIS IS THE BEST" but it was alright.


What do you mean it depends on which cut? the only major difference I am aware of is the length more/or less scenes the end is same in all of them and you still have good character development you just see more or less depending on the version.

What I meant by action is that it is not one action scene after another in a long string.

[Red October1984]

What do you mean it depends on which cut? the only major difference I am aware of is the length more/or less scenes the end is same in all of them and you still have good character development you just see more or less depending on the version.

What I meant by action is that it is not one action scene after another in a long string.

The Theatrical Cut has less of the character development. Who wants to go see a 5 hour movie in a theater? They cut that out. The Director's Cut has more and the Uncut has the most, obviously.

I know exactly what you meant by your action point. :yep:

[Stealhead]

The Theatrical Cut has less of the character development. Who wants to go see a 5 hour movie in a theater? They cut that out. The Director's Cut has more and the Uncut has the most, obviously.

I know exactly what you meant by your action point. :yep:


Of course the theatrical cut has less development but it still has good character development.That was my point good character development Standing by itself the theatrical cut has good character development I am not getting nitty gritty which Das Boot is better here but being general this film compared to a different unrelated film.Das Boot compared to X film that has poor or hard to follow character development.A great example of bad character development would be Star Wars Episode I or the Resident Evil movies.

This sums up well how I feel abut most modern movies
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sygqz9IgyU&list=UUrTNhL_yO3tPTdQ5XgmmWjA&index=2

[Red October1984]

I'd watch that video...but I don't have time...I watched the first bit though.

I get the point. :03:

Okay....back OT.

Man of Steel managed an 8.4 out of 10 on IMDb but only a 55 Metascore. :hmmm:

This'll definitely be one to rent but not to buy since I'm not a huge fan of Superman.

Amy Adams looks a lot like Jenna Fischer... :hmmm: Every time I see a new preview I always make that mistake. :-?

"Oh look! It's Pam from The Offi-Ah...no it isn't...."

[Stealhead]

Metascore is a joke I would not consider its ratings to have any balance or validity.

[Onkel Neal]

Great summary, Steve. How was the score? Anything nearly as great as William's original?

[Skybird]

Isn't this movie directed by Christopher Nolan? Not sure, think I read something like that.

I am a big fan of his Batman movies, especially 1 and 2. 3 was a bit of a letdown, but it closes the circles and attaches the lose ends.

[Rhodes]

Isn't this movie directed by Christopher Nolan? Not sure, think I read something like that.

I am a big fan of his Batman movies, especially 1 and 2. 3 was a bit of a letdown, but it closes the circles and attaches the lose ends.

No, it was produce by him. Zack Snyder was the director!

Steve review does not move away of what I have read about the movie. The only negative point of IGN review was "Why so serious Superman?" and by the trailers that was my opinion, since supes was always the "overgrown" boy-scout and not so dark and serious as batsy!

The film is only going to open here on 27th of this month, bahhh:shifty:! For what I have saw in the trailers, I think I going to miss the original theme and the british voice of Terence Stamp. :03:

[Red October1984]

Steve review does not move away of what I have read about the movie. The only negative point of IGN review was "Why so serious Superman?" and by the trailers that was my opinion, since supes was always the "overgrown" boy-scout and not so dark and serious as batsy!

Seems like all the superheroes are getting serious these days.

Except for Iron Man...

Iron Man needs to stay the way he is. :up:

[Wolferz]

Why so serious Superman?
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb295/Wolferz_2007/Funny%20Pictures/Seriously.jpg

I had the ultimate Legos... Lincoln Logs

[Skybird]

No, it was produce by him. Zack Snyder was the director!


Snyder. So 300 meets Batman, and 300 wins. That's why the action overkill.

Will skip the cinema release ove rhere, even more so when these days they try to destroy your ears, that much they used to pump up the volumes last times I went to the movies. Will wait until it is cheap on DVD.

[the_tyrant]

I hear it is actually surprisingly good.

Lets be honest here, Superman is a walking deus ex mechina, I hear this movie is very well done, without having to pull another deus ex mechina like kryptonite.

[Sailor Steve]

Amy Adams looks a lot like Jenna Fischer... :hmmm: Every time I see a new preview I always make that mistake. :-?

"Oh look! It's Pam from The Offi-Ah...no it isn't...."
Way back when Interview With The Vampire came out, I saw Kirsten Dunst in the trailers and said "Oh, look! Jennifer Jason Leigh! I need to see this!"

A friend said "Steve, that girl is like, ten years old!" :oops:

Great summary, Steve. How was the score? Anything nearly as great as William's original?
The score was good, but not memorable. John Williams is a true genius. Others wish they were him. Occasionally the music was a little intrusive, but mostly it did its job. I certainly didn't leave the theater humming the theme.

I had the ultimate Legos... Lincoln Logs
I forgot all about those! :rock:

Snyder. So 300 meets Batman, and 300 wins. That's why the action overkill.
Actually it's better than that. Yes, it was overkill, but the buildup is worth the price. Life with the Kents is told entirely in flashbacks, and the story bounces back and forth a bit, but always in a good way.

I hear it is actually surprisingly good.
It is quite good. Looking back I think one of my problems with the action sequences is that some of the scenes happen so quickly that it's hard to absorb what happened before the next thing is happening.

Lets be honest here, Superman is a walking deus ex mechina, I hear this movie is very well done, without having to pull another deus ex mechina like kryptonite.
In his original form he wasn't. He was faster and stronger than normal people, but he had no special powers and couldn't fly. "Leap tall buildings at a single bound" was literal at that point. As other heroes came along they wanted him to stay out front, power-wise. Ultimately he was so powerful they had to invent kryptonite just so there would be something that could stop him.

In the original universe Superman swore that he would never kill. In the 1986 revamp they gave him a reason for that vow. This movie follows that lead, and as I said, the massive action sequences suddenly end on a level so small and personal that I ended up liking it all over again.

Don't get me wrong. It is well worth seeing. Just not as good as it could have been, unfortunately.

Of course my judgement is influenced by the fact that after all these years no actor has pulled off the dichotomy between Superman and Clark Kent anywhere near the way Christopher Reeve did. On the other hand this film doesn't get that far, so Henry Cavill's abilities on that score remain to be seen.

[Red October1984]

I had the ultimate Legos... Lincoln Logs

I had those too...they made great target houses and bases for the bad guys. :up:

[Jimbuna]

I hear it is actually surprisingly good.

Lets be honest here, Superman is a walking deus ex mechina, I hear this movie is very well done, without having to pull another deus ex mechina like kryptonite.

It wasn't too bad at all...and to think a Brit starred in it :03:

[AVGWarhawk]

Thanks for the review Steve. I'm doing my best to convince my daughter the Man of Steel is a great super hero character. She is a Spiderman, Batman and Ironman fan to the last! She always busts my chops about kryptonite taking out Superman. I retort that Spiderman is taken out by the Terminix man. Once Batman loses his utility belt his pants are not only on the floor but he is just about done as a super hero. Ironman will rust in a matter of of hours. :haha:

She has begun a collection of the original Spiderman comic books.

[nikimcbee]

http://images4.fanpop.com/image/photos/18000000/Gary-Coleman-as-Arnold-diffrent-strokes-18022847-640-480.jpg

Different strokes for different folks

Whachyoutalkinabout Steve?

Nevermind Steves Review, What would Midge think?

[Rhodes]

Thanks for the review Steve. I'm doing my best to convince my daughter the Man of Steel is a great super hero character. She is a Spiderman, Batman and Ironman fan to the last! She always busts my chops about kryptonite taking out Superman. I retort that Spiderman is taken out by the Terminix man. Once Batman loses his utility belt his pants are not only on the floor but he is just about done as a super hero. Ironman will rust in a matter of of hours. :haha:

She has begun a collection of the original Spiderman comic books.
http://supermantv.net/wallpaperbattles/supermanspidey.jpg

:O:

[Sailor Steve]

Thanks for the review Steve. I'm doing my best to convince my daughter the Man of Steel is a great super hero character.
Well, he is the original. I had a friend in the '60s who was a huge Marvel fan, right when they were starting to make their mark. Great stuff, but Steve Ditko's are always put me off. Curt Swan was doing Superman at the time and I always thought his style was more realistic.

She has begun a collection of the original Spiderman comic books.
That could be an expensive hobby.

Nevermind Steves Review, What would Midge think?
Now that makes me shudder. :rotfl2:

...:O:
Spiderman Meets Superman! The original Marvel/DC crossover. I didn't like it much, but I remember it well. :sunny:

[Rhodes]

Spiderman Meets Superman! The original Marvel/DC crossover. I didn't like it much, but I remember it well. :sunny:

Yep, very cheesy!

[AVGWarhawk]

Steve:
That could be an expensive hobby.

It is expensive depending on the issues and quality. But this is something you already know owning 6000 copies of various comic books.

[Sailor Steve]

My collection is almost all modern comics, 1985 or newer. I have some silver age comics, no golden age at all and certainly no originals. On average I would guess my collection to be worth less than a dollar a copy, with the most valuable being worth less than $30. They aren't well preserved, since I bought them to read, not make money on.

[AVGWarhawk]

She is purchasing the 1-199 series. The first series and original. Looking for specific copies such as Mary Jane first introduction. Most are in decent shape and are going for $4-$5. I did purchase her a copy she wanted. It was a $15 and quite nice. She does read them then puts them pack in the protective cover. She has grown to enjoy the simpler things in life like a good comic book.

I did not get much into the comic when I was a kid. I did enjoy Cracked and Mad Magazine.

[Sailor Steve]

I'm guessing that would be the 1990 series by Todd McFarlane? The reason I keep asking is that there is when someone says "original" I think of the 1963 series by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, a copy of which is currently on eBay for $8400.
http://www.ebay.com/bhp/amazing-spider-man-1-1963

And that's only in 'Fine' condition. A 'Mint' issue is priced at $36,000.

[Cybermat47]

I can't wait for the next movie.

Wait, didn't all the Decepticons die in the last one? I honestly can't see how they can make a sequel... and yet they are. FFS.

I've even got some Halo Legos up in my closet. Cybermat47 knows what I'm talking about.

I have no idea what you're talking about. I've only heard of Halo Mega Bloks.

[Red October1984]

Wait, didn't all the Decepticons die in the last one? I honestly can't see how they can make a sequel... and yet they are. FFS.

It's an unrelated storyline I do believe. Shia Labeouf and all the characters from the last 3 aren't going to be in this movie. They've casted Mark Wahlberg as the lead character. It should be good even though a continuation of the last one would be so much better.


I have no idea what you're talking about. I've only heard of Halo Mega Bloks.


Ah...they are Mega Bloks... But I've got a Banshee, Hornet, Hawk, Scorpion, Wolverine, Shade, Ghost and a bunch of little Spartans and Elites.

They're all in pieces from the last time I had them out. They kinda fell off the shelf and I never put them back up. :hmmm: Maybe I should just for old times' sake.

[AVGWarhawk]

I'm guessing that would be the 1990 series by Todd McFarlane? The reason I keep asking is that there is when someone says "original" I think of the 1963 series by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, a copy of which is currently on eBay for $8400.
http://www.ebay.com/bhp/amazing-spider-man-1-1963

And that's only in 'Fine' condition. A 'Mint' issue is priced at $36,000.

She is buying the originals printed in the 1960's-70's. Not all go for thousands. Can pick up nice ones for a few dollars to $100.

[Cybermat47]

It's an unrelated storyline I do believe. Shia Labeouf and all the characters from the last 3 aren't going to be in this movie. They've casted Mark Wahlberg as the lead character. It should be good even though a continuation of the last one would be so much better.


Apparently it's going to be set 4 years after DotM.

But I can't see how it could work :hmmm: the bastards even killed off Starscream! :wah:

[Red October1984]

Apparently it's going to be set 4 years after DotM.

But I can't see how it could work :hmmm: the bastards even killed off Starscream! :wah:

I kinda liked Starscream...

I liked Blackout better and I forget what the tank was called in DotM.

Still, Autobots FTW. :03: I just hate how Shia Labeouf won't be in it anymore. These are the only movies that I like him in. Bumblebee won't be the same without Sam.

There's going to be a hole that needs filling. I hope Mark Wahlberg can fit the bill. Usually he makes great movies...but I don't know about him being in Transformers 4.... :dead:

[Rhodes]

Went to see the film yesterday! WWWOOOOWWWW! :yeah::up:

Wonderful Super-Man movie! Yes, it's action scene after action scene, but in the end, for me, I was hopping for more action scenes.
I missed a strong and characteristic accent for Gen. Zod and the famous catch phrase. As Perry White expressions, but L. Fishburne does a good job in the character!
And a brit actor plays super-man; both his fathers played Robin Hood...:hmmm:hummm (just realize that when watching)!
The soundtrack is great and tunes very well with the scenes!


And Batsy is watching the all thing from the cave and saying "Clark, you overgrown boy-scout!" :D

[eddie]

Looks like the next Superman movie will have an new character thrown in-
it will be Batman! Wonder how that will work with these two together?

http://news.msn.com/pop-culture/superman-is-coming-back-this-time-with-batman

[Wolferz]

Justice league would be the next logical choice for a superheroe flick IMHO.:up:

The Man of Steel flick was pretty good for covering the complete back story on Krypton and its fate.:yep:
Kneel before Zod!

[Jimbuna]

Looks like the next Superman movie will have an new character thrown in-
it will be Batman! Wonder how that will work with these two together?

http://news.msn.com/pop-culture/superman-is-coming-back-this-time-with-batman

From what I've read Batman is going to be the 'dark' figure but it is still undecided who will play him.

[Cybermat47]

So who'se going to win? Place your bets here! :D

[Rhodes]

So who'se going to win? Place your bets here! :D

It will be Superman and Batman not Superman vs Batman! But if want to know who would win:

http://www.geekzenith.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/dark_knight_returns.jpg
Here!