MAN OF STEEL: A Wobbly Start to a Potentially High-Flying Franchise

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Man of Steel (2013) — ***

There’s a scene early in Man of Steel where Superman is learning how to fly. At first, he makes wobbly jumps through the Arctic, even crashing into a mountain. But then…

It’s that “but then” that tells the story of Zack Snyder’s take on the legendary superhero. Man of Steel could be the wobbly start of something spectacular. It’s not so much a movie as it is a very obvious franchise launch. Unlike Iron Man, Spider-Man or Batman Begins wholly entertaining stories that were good enough to warrant something greater, Snyder’s Man of Steel is a film that has to succeed in building something, which is why it’s so hard to enjoy.

Like most reboots, Man of Steel rehashes Superman’s origin story, starting with the explosion of Krypton. With the end of the world near, General Zod (Michael Shannon) attempt a coup to take control away from inept bureaucrats. He wants to continue the Kryptonian race, but without the bloodlines of those who caused the civilization’s downfall. He doesn’t succeed of course and is sent to the Phantom Zone, but not before killing Jor-El (Russell Crowe) as the father sends his son and the entire genetic future of Krypton to Earth.

Flashforward 33 years. Krypton is gone, but the Jor-El’s son, now Clark Kent (Henry Cavill), is trying to find his place in the world. He’s an alien surrounded by humans and can’t introduce himself to the people of Earth as a Kryptonian with superpowers because his adopted father Jonathan (Kevin Costner) told him that humans weren’t ready. But when Zod, escaped from the Phantom Zone, comes to Earth seeking to rebuild Krypton, Clark must out himself in order to save his new home world.

The last two paragraphs imply that there’s a story to be told in Man of Steel. There isn’t. There are only about 45 minutes of actual storytelling in this film, which would be a problem if Zack Snyder were not at the helm.

Snyder’s never been much of a story or character guy. His best movie to date is still a remake of Dawn of the Dead from back in 2004. That’s the closest he ever came to making a film with necessary elements like plot and character development. With Man of Steel, we get a Superman movie that is so action-heavy that things like Clark Kent’s true identity being exposed by Lois Lane and his early life are mere inconveniences that need addresses in order to get to the “good stuff.”

The “good stuff,” in this case, is the other hour and 45 minutes where Kryptonians toss each other around, tearing up pretty much everything in the human world around them. Snyder isn’t necessarily in his element here. (That comes early in the film when he re-envisions Krypton with a visual flare that planet has never received.)  The action, without a story to back it up, is either extremely loud or incredibly dull. Yet, it all seems like a harmless exercise in an effort to remake a legend.

The film’s biggest success is in it’s casting. Not just Henry Cavill, who may be the most perfect actor to ever wear the cape. Amy Adams, too, is the first cinematic incarnation of Lois Lane who isn’t either annoying (Margot Kidder) or lifeless (Kate Bosworth). As Lane, Amy Adams does a better job redefining an iconic character than even Cavill. The combined talents of Cavill and Adams hold the legend intact while we wait for an actual movie.

Only Michael Shannon’s Zod, a central character in this film to be sure, seems out of touch with the character as written. Shannon’s trademark simmering anger and overall acting ability may just be too much for Zod, who is caricaturish even in a movie that takes itself too seriously. Zod is no Joker, but Shannon is just as talented as Heath Ledger. And that’s where the film’s true problem lies.

If the film has any story to it, it’s Zod’s story. That’s not just the way every superhero movie is really the villain’s story. No, here Zod is the only character who has a full arc in three acts, which really makes it Zod’s tragedy. You may not notice it at all, because Snyder and writer David Goyer bludgeon you with so many effects-heavy battles. But like The Dark Knight, Goyer gives the movie over to the villain, only the villain here isn’t that interesting. And there are plenty of Superman villains to choose from.

Without a decent villain, it’s hard to call Man of Steel either fun or entertaining. There isn’t a single moment like in The Avengers or many other Marvel movies that make you want to cheer for the hero. (The crowd I was with was mostly silent, which I guess is better than so bored they’re chatting or texting.) But from the perspective that Snyder and company utilized action and effects to finally bring in the sci-fi elements that makeSuperman relevant and can define a DC Cinematic Universe, Man of Steel may yet be a success.

That’s why Man of Steel has more in common with Sony’s reboot The Amazing Spider-Man than any other recent superhero movie. Spider-Man starring Andrew Garfield was a hard reset, forced to rehash an origin story when it really just wanted to get to the Lizard. That made the film feel dull and storyless at times, a mere two hours of exposition for a sequel. The Amazing Spider-Man isn’t a great movie because of it. Neither is Man of Steel. But then…