The Man of Steel

Potential Spoilers Ahead... 

I loved the movie. Honestly. Truly loved "Man of Steel" and for me there was no comparison to any other versions at all. A spectacular stand alone vision that had me glued to its kinetic action and magnetic visuals. I clearly remember critics in 1978 split on "Superman: The Movie". Some didn't care for the acting, lovey dovey storyline, improbable time paradox action for the lovey dovey storyline... but it didn't matter

It was Superman. The Man of Steel.

Now for the 21st century, with movie technology caught up to finally give us a truly great and deserved Superman story worthy of the franchises in rebooting, but also one that could easily fit into a comic book issue, I have to say I'm looking forward to the sequel.

Nitpickers also had their day with Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy... we fans finally got the bad taste of Joel Schumacher's dismal and colorfully unbalanced direction of George Clooney in the batsuit. "Man of Steel" cleaned our pallates after the acrid directorial love letter to Richard Donner with Brandon Routh from Bryan Singer's command.

For what we Superman fans have been waiting for finally happened: the alien side of an American icon was shown and a universal hero was reforged- all in a battle of might and strength to showcase his incredible powers and to remind us that he's not only a "Strange Visitor from another planet", but also why he's nicknamed "The Man of Steel"- his resolve in protecting this planet is very much pun intended; "steely". Clearly David Goyer wrote a story that could easily translate into a comic book storyline, but he also made it translatable for casual fans.

"Superman: Birthright" and "Superman: Earth One" are indicative influences seen in this movie (read the books if you care to know my references). And strongly there's a moral question of action in the movie... as a fan, we know this very act was done in an issue written and drawn by John Byrne with Superman doing the unthinkable. As a fan, I see what Goyer did and I applaud his efforts and delivery. Also treating Lois as smart and respecting her enough to create an issue of trust and guardianship means no dumbing down of a character that for years had many question "A Pulutzer award winning reporter- how could she not know...?"

As a fan I love this movie as much as I adored the Nolan Batman trilogy. We're in the 21st century and the world is a dark, different place than what it was in 1978. Men still wore fedoras and women wore evening gowns. Dates were over candlelight, smoking was allowed indoors. Gas was under a dollar, typewriters were used, and you dressed professionally for work. Now baseball caps replace fedoras, jeans are the norm for dates, sportsbars beat candlelight, designated smoking sections exist, gas is at times almost $5, smartphones trump the classic writing tool, and dress down day is everyday for most places of employment

My point? We're in the 21st century!!! And we need a hero reflective of these often dark times to instill hope. That is super in train of thought. To be optimistic and have that about you 24/7 is superhuman. But that's why he's called "Superman". From his very first illustrated afventure of clearing a convict's name and saving him from execution, he has done just that- instilled hope. So yes, things were thrown about, it may have reminded some of a "Transformer" movie. The storyline may have lacked humor and the soft light adrenaline swooning flirty love scenes. This is a Superman for us hardcore fans, but it also allows the casual fan to sit next to us. Together we watch, seperately our reactions vary, but unified we can say this- that's Superman on the big screen.

We agree to disagree, but for me in 2013, I was that little boy in a darkened theater in 1978 all over again. And with hope, I saw a man fly and do really incredible, super things. His face and costume are different from back then, but the core of the character is still there.I didn't mind that there weren't red trunks or a yellow belt. That there was no "S forelock". I saw a man do super things and it looked very real! He fought for Truth. He stood for Justice and he proclaimed he was American. And he wore that "S" on his chest well. Today- I reaffirmed my belief in Superman- his ideals and his determination made me stare at the screen in awe, never changing my gaze. This was Superman- the Man of Steel.

I await the sequel.