by YoungJRNY » Wed Dec 18, 2013 11:30 am
I agree with your post, v. I have the same experience when talking all over the web with people who have seen the film multiple times only to say the same things about the second time around changing their stance, which is interesting to me. Even Facebook and friends I talk to say the same exact things without the knowledge I'm aware of so that's odd.
Since I'm highly in Man of Steel's corner for all the reasons I love and the film got right, it's only fair to be objective and mention the things that fell flat and parts that could have been handled better, so here goes:
1. Hans Zimmer soundtrack. Don't get me wrong, purchasing the CD and watching the Blu-Ray to get a better ear for the soundtrack was relieving, but I still find the soundtrack not as triumphant as it could have been. What worked for the trailers so well was the emotional chord, especially trailer #2, which was amazing and really hit you with emotion. I didn't get that with Zimmer's score. It felt more powerful but yet, humbling at the same time but there could have been more uplifting sequences in the score at the right times, especially his first flight. It was really, really good, different from what we've known from Williams and it FELT like Supes FOR SURE, but it could have been so much better IMO.
2. The money shot. In trailer #3, they completely showed the entire sequence of Superman's first shot in the suit at the Fortress. To me, that should have been put away and seen for the first time, especially for a reboot and an origin story for Supes. That scene should have been locked and stored in the WB vaults for the audience to see for the first time. Instead, his entire reveal was seen in trailer #3. Should have been managed better.
3. Loved the action. I pity those who have the tiny testicles to pull out the "TOO MUCH ACTION!" for a damn Superman movie that has been starving for it for quite some time, especially after the SR abortion. If there's any superhero that needs to just go at it with mindless action, it's Supes. With that, I could have done without the World Engine defense system. It just looked tacky and there was some brutal Superman "cough-overs" that sounded absolutely terrible, like they weren't supposed to be there. Him struggling and flying up through World Engine would have been just fine without the tentacle defenses.
4. Supes piloting the Fortress/ Kryptonian space-craft. That was a far-fetched scene and laughable to picture Supes sitting in the drivers seat and taking off. It was goofy to me. It happened, but to show it in that manor made me chuckle.
5. Shaky cam/ in and out camera work. There was a ton of action, and I dig the style Snyder pulled off with going for a more realistic approach to Superman's/Kryptonian powers and most of all, super-speed, but sometimes there was too much going down on the screen that left was what supposed to be great shots, blurry.
6. Time lapse from killing Zod and going straight into destroying a government drone. I think a small scene in-between there could have done the movie wonders in terms of not going into another loud segment when Supes JUST made the most important decision of his life that would change everything about his character and the world around him. A light moment and more thought going into the mind of Superman dealing with such a decision would have been nice. Instead, they rush right into the ending without showing or mentioning anything from his battle with Zod. I know the sequel will touch heavily on this, but it could have been placed.
I wasn't expecting Lois and Clark to meet so early at Pa's cemetery, revealing his identity to her so soon. That was a cool initial shock. Also, Pa Kent's death took me by surprise and I thought it was an under the radar moment. Some people hate it, but I love it for all the reasons why people hate it. That scene alone gives Superman more meaning and depth as a character as to why he is who he is. That moment will forever remain apart and heavy on him. It was a powerful scene.
The ending was magnificent, though. "Welcome to the Planet." So spot on AWESOME with that ending, and to think I didn't realize or catch the significance of that line the first time around, haha.
