The Man of Steel delivers on many levels-here’s why (spoiler free review!)

The Man of steel is an amazing movie on many levels.  Do you treat it as a reboot, comic book movie or action movie?  I like going to movies, really enjoy comic themed movies, but will honestly say when they’re disappointing (hello Iron Man 2!).  With all of that in mind, The Man of Steel is great any way you treat it.

As a movie

The Man of Steel is shot with a shaky cam, not enough to be confused with a found footage movie, but it’s all done with one camera.  I found this to be a unique, action oriented way to watch the movie.

It’s also shown in a non linear manner, going back and forth in time for the first hour or so.  While not my favorite way to see a film play out, I liked it and this way of storytelling was a fresh spin on a superhero movie.

The story in Man of Steel is logical, brisk and refreshing.  Similar to this summer’s Star Trek, who brought back Kahn, Man of Steel brings back General Zod from Superman II.  Michael Shannon plays Zod this time out and nails it.  He’s fierce, loyal and fighting for Krypton, even if it is in a misguided manner.

The entire movie is packed with action, but the second half is all action.  It’s ridiculous action.  I had to use the bathroom about 25% into the movie and totally forgot about that fact.

The fight sequences are shot tight, happen fast and in all sorts of surroundings.  The violence and destruction happen on a large scale but from far away.  The film may be too much for a 7 year old, but a 9 year old should be OK.

Through the Marvel Prism

It’s almost impossible to talk about any comic book movie without mentioning The Avengers or other movies.

The Man of Steel is much, much better than Iron Man 3 and makes you totally forget about the previous reboot of Superman.

The Man of Steel is almost as good as The Avengers.

The Donner Critic Party

The Donner Party people think that Superman was at his prime in Superman II.  To them Christopher Reeve will always be Supes and the humor, compassion and interaction is the way the character should be.

Batman worked much better when he wasn’t campy TV and even more so when Nolan took over.  007 is producing the best movies in franchise history, proving that life improved when the wise cracking spy got a bit more serious.

If you’re in The Donner Party try to see The Man of Steel for what it is.  Reeve’s Superman was his and always will be. The Man of Steel stands, flies and fights on its own.

To their point, The Man of Steel doesn’t have the ‘light’ moments of 80’s Superman or his awkward tendencies. There are several light moments in Man of Steel, but is a more serious movie than the previous incarnations.

That is OK.  Daniel Craig’s Casino Royale worked for the very same reasons that people are criticizing The Man of Steel.  It was a more serious, slightly more violent take on a character that everyone knows the back story on.

The Man of Steel is great.  At just under 2.5 hours the film flies by and is the best action film of the year so far.