"You Think You Can Threaten My Mother?"-Man of Steel

I adore superhero movies. So as to be expected, I was undoubtedly freaking out of my mind as the release date approached. When the trailers began running on the big screen I nearly peed my pants As a girl, who has probably watched nearly every Superman movie, TV series, (yes that includes the Superboy TV show that none of my friends seem to remember) and animated series that has represented this American icon...it's fair to say I was anxiously awaiting June 14th. Anxiously is the key word. Allow me to be real with you. The last time we found our hero 'returning' to the big screen, it did not go so well. Although the anticipation of Bryan Singer's interpretation was high, the film itself fell flat. As nostalgic as it was....it felt as if the past was desperately trying to repeat itself. And if I have learned anything from Jay Gatsby this summer, it's that you can't repeat the past. And no one had to tell me that Kate Bosworth was a dreadful choice for Lois Lane. So you cannot blame people for being skeptical of this latest venture, even though it was obvious from the trailers that this film would be completely different than any of its predecessors. But would different be any good?

YES. 

I will admit, as the film began, I found it hard to get into the groove of it all. Perhaps it was the weight of my own expectations of traditional, chronological storytelling, We went from Krypton's inevitable destruction to the landing of Kal-El's capsule, and BOOM, 30 some years later, he's working on a boat looking like an incognito Wolverine. As we see him sheepishly pretend he could have been killed by a falling object and hitchhiking along the gritty depressing roads of whatever town he has drifted into, we are introduced to a rather lonely Clark Kent with even lonelier memories. I honestly found my eyes welling up when he locks himself in a supply closet, terrified of the world, while classmates stand cruelly mocking outside. Its a version one may have assumed but never quite seen portrayed. In these early scenes that we are connected to the vulnerability, kindness, and displacement of a usually strong protector. Henry Cavill does a phenomenal job sharing with us the heart and lost soul of Superman. With a slight tilt of his head or lift of an eyebrow we see the lingering insecurities yet growing confidence that culminate into the foundation on which Superman is built. Cavill's performance as the man of steel may be...dare I say it...my favorite of all. (Christopher Reeve will always be the ideal, but this is a new era) Henry captured the depth and sensitivity of someone who fights for truth, justice and...a better way. (its not all about 'merica. Like it or not he belongs to the world.) 

The story began to even itself out when Kal..ahem..Joe..Clark, whoever he is at the moment meets Lois Lane.I loved the chemistry between the two, in spite of their rather painful first encounter.  Not too many actresses can pull off this character, so I was eager to see someone as versatile as Amy Adams fill those shoes. If I am being completely honest, Lois Lane is my comic girl crush. Strong, fearless and confident in her Pulitzer (which she never fails to mention) she's a feminist's best friend. If Maggie Gyllenhal hadn't played Rachel Dawes in The Dark Knight, I could see them attempting to place her in this role. I probably would have hated it no matter how much I like her. The plot only soars higher as Superman is forced to reveal his identity to the world in order to protect us (geez,I say that like its real) due to the terrifying alien invasion of fellow Kyptonian, Zod demanding his surrender. 

Let's just all take a moment to stand and slow clap for Michael Shannon. *CLAP...CLAP...*

I could not have chosen a better actor to play this infamous villain. I loved the modern day, warrior take on such a primitive narrow minded character. But I don't say that to insult his intelligence. But I am happy this time around he doesn't look like he's in a V-neck pageant. Nor does he sport a super creep goatee. Michael Shannon's intensity brews and seeps off the screen in a way that almost subliminally sends the message that you better KNEEL or else. I don't even think he speaks those famous words, but you get the feeling that you better consider it or else. (Did anyone else almost crap their pants when he yells the words "I WILL FIND HIM!" in the trailer? Just me? Ok then.) Each confrontation with Zod gets better and better. Anytime Superman yells the words "YOU THINK YOU CAN THREATEN MY  MOTHER?!" while flying into and punching someone, my day is made. [Ok, I was kind of ticked about the IHOP though. Those people just wanted some pancakes that day and probably got killed for it.Or how about those pumping gas...or shopping at Sears??? Seriously, the most mundane activities that day in Smallville proved to have been the deadliest.] All of this leads up to a battle of epic proportions. I don't want to write a play by play in case you haven't seen it. Just know that it's everything that you would want a Superman battle to be like and more. I commend Zack Snyder for his directing style, particularly during these scenes. MIND BLOWN. The angles, gritty filters (think the beginning of the Hunger Games) and style that Synder used to shoot this movie were all fantastic for the eyes to view. Also, film greats like Kevin Costner, Russell Crowe, Diane Lane and Lawerence Fishburne add a great deal of amazingness to this story. It wouldn't have been as great without them. 

HOWEVER. In viewing the film a second time, I found myself with a few questions/ irritations with the following: 

1) How many times does it take for people to learn to push the drive all the way in. Who cares if it is magnetically inserting itself. Like a regular flashdrive, you have to plug it all the way in. 

2) Dear Lois, how many times are you going to fall out of the sky? Do you want Superman to have to fly around the world to turn back time? 

3) DEAR EVERYONE, why do you keep giving useful information to Zod to use against you? 

*Jor-El tells Zod he and Lara have had a child. A boy child. In fact, it's Krypton's first natural birth in forever. Seriously? I would have full on lied. Its a girl, she's headed for Asgard. I don't know where she came from.

*Superman tells Zod his parents taught him to hone his senses by focusing on one thing. Uh, Kal, you just inadvertently taught Zod how to hone his senses, therefore making it easier to fight you.

* Martha tells Zod where the ship is by glancing over at the barn. MARTHA. Are you freaking kidding me? This is the worst, yet most classic tell in the book. I don't care how good the movie is, it's always stupid. 

My favorite lines of the film. And by favorite I mean I cringed & said to myself, "What the...?" 

*Jor-El: "Zod, what are you doing? This is madness!"

*Clark Kent (to Jor-El): "I have so many questions. Where do I come from?"

* Clark Kent/ Superman: "I know you're trying to find out where I hang my cape." (Something like that...I just remember it was lame.)

With all that being said, I found the film to be absolutely amazing. I look forward to so much more with Henry Cavill as Superman. Not just because I find him incredibly attractive. Well, besides that, he's brought someone precious to us all back to the big screen. He embodies the gentle strength and idealism that's at Superman's core. He brought him down to earth. He's made him more relatable now then ever. I hope we see more of him in films. I hope Hollywood doesn't change him. There is something bright in Kal-El that inspires all of  us to be better. We know that we are meant for something greater, and when watching or reading about this character, something inside resonates with that notion of HOPE. As Jor-El states, "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." Superman hasn't just returned...he's been reborn. And if the filmmakers play their cards right, these new films could be classics.