Zack Snyder's Man of Steel is ponderous, brooding and sometimes too serious for its own good. The newest retelling of the story of an outsider who becomes a savior and symbol of hope is actually about a journey of self-discovery. Reclusive and conflicted Clark becomes the hero who needed to take a leap of faith first before he could scale the highest mountains and fly like a bird. Of course, the movie had all the requisite bonanza of explosions and special effects, but the film also wanted to capture the quiet moments of Kent's coming into terms with his identity and ultimately his destiny. The result however was kind of disjointed, and failed to connect in important ways.
Superman as Christ-figurre has always been obvious, and this version was not remiss in pointing that out, and none too subtle at that. Embodying the best of the otherworldly, but also embracing what can be the best of humanity, it has become Clark/Superman's messianic role to point the world to a future Jor-el (Russel Crowe underacting for a change) prophesied: "You will give the people an ideal to strive towards. They will race behind you, they will stumble, they will fall. But in time, they will join you in the sun. In time, you will help them accomplish wonders."
Clark's understanding of what he was supposed to do is also guided by his adopted father, Jonathan (played by an aging Kevin Costner): "You're not just anyone. One day, you're going to have to make a choice. You'll have to decide what kind of man you want to grow up to be. Whoever that man is, good character or bad, he's going to change the world." The human/divine nature in conflict- a fascinating fodder for centuries worth of Christological debates - is brought into the movie with somewhat pedantic results, and surprisingly uninspiring.
Henry Cavill's Superman with massive shoulders and biceps, square-jawed good-looks was impressive, while Amy Adam's intrepid and precocious Lois Lane was at times too cutesy and annoying. I can't believe that Diane Lane is now relegated to playing middle-aged mother roles.
A disconcerting moment: there was a scene that seemed to have been culled straight from The Matrix, and then Laurence Fishburne made his appearance. Coincidence? My movie buddy and myself automatically recited, "You think that's air you're breathing now?"
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