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METROPOLIS — The biggest movie of the summer is finally here. According to pre-ticket sales, it seems just about everyone on the planet will be seeing "Man of Steel" this weekend.
The big-budget superhero film is a new take on a classic character, but is it the film we were hoping for? I'm here to tell you, it is and it isn't.
I have for you three reasons you should see it this weekend and two reasons you should wait.
SPOILER FREE
Reasons to see it
The cast
#poll1
The cast of "Man of Steel" has accounted for a combined 11 Academy Award nominations and one win for acting. This comes across in the film.
No one felt weak or lacking, and everyone seemed to own their role.
Henry Cavill is a very convincing Superman, and he carries a charisma about him that some of the other Men of Steel were missing.
Amy Adams gives us a different Lois Lane, but one I personally could relate to better than any of the other portrayals of the fiery reporter.
Russell Crowe and Diane Lane were solid as usual, but the real standout was Kevin Costner. The veteran actor showed that he still has what it takes to be a star.
It's beautiful
Director Zack Snyder is known for striking visuals and gorgeous scenery, but "Man of Steel" may be his most beautiful film to date.
He may have gone a little J.J. Abrams crazy at times with the lens flares, but his landscape shots and use of light are truly breathtaking at times.
Unlike some of his earlier films like "300" and "Watchmen," this Superman flick wasn't shot totally on a green screen. There was plenty of green screen, but there was also a huge amount of actual locations used, and those moments really steal the show.
It's entertaining
The film is nearly two-and-a-half hours long and at times it starts to lose its way, but it manages to stay entertaining all the way through.
#poll2
There is more going on in "Man of Steel" than any other Superman movie, and it's also more entertaining than any of its predecessors.
That doesn't necessarily means it's the best of the bunch, but from a popcorn flick standpoint, it wins hands down.
Reasons to wait
CGI heavy
I understand that this is a movie about a guy who can fly and burst through walls, but as I mentioned earlier, the best parts visually are those which are shot on location, not the Computer Generated Images moments.
The first part of the movie is almost all CGI, and truthfully it made it difficult to really get into the film. From there I was totally sucked in as most of the second half uses the CGI wisely and sparingly, but then the third act tore me back out again with the overuse of CGI.
The right balance of practical effects and CGI is a delicate one, and I feel that Snyder tipped the scales in the wrong direction.
Lack of personality
One of the things we have come to love from earlier incarnations of Superman/Clark Kent is his wit and charm. This new Clark Kent is played so serious that it's hard to remember any jokes or light moments.
Those moments do exist, but they are so sparse that at times I forgot I was supposed to be having fun.
Granted, the subject matter is serious and the stakes are high, but it felt as if all this tension was continually building and I needed something to break it, but that moment never came. Or, at least it never came in time.
As I said, some moments were there, but they are few and far between and almost none of them come from Superman or Clark. It's a different take on the character, which is desperately needed, but he could have used a bit more personality.
With that said, a more tortured and conflicted Superman did make for a much more interesting and robust character, but apparently all of that confusion growing up as an alien killed his personality.
There you have it, three reasons you should rush out to see "Man of Steel" and two reasons you could wait.
Overall I enjoyed the film, but felt like it was missing a little something to make it truly great. But enough with my opinion, what did you think? Have you seen it yet? When do you plan on going? Let me know on the comment boards, Facebook or send an email.
