Superman gets the Batman Begins treatment; so 'Superman Starts'!?...
2006 was the year that last saw the world's most iconic superhero grace the big screen, and next year; Superman Returns (brownie points if you got that!). After being sent to Earth as a child, Clark Kent is adopted into a human family in Kansas. Time passes and today Kent, who disguises his identity as a journalist, protects the Earth with his extraordinary powers whenever he dons his iconic costume to become Superman. Soon however Superman will be tested to the limits when a deadly threat strikes...
Whilst I'm not a huge Superman fan and haven't really followed his many other big screen outings much, I do know how big a deal this film could be. Firstly Man of Steel boasts the talents of David S. Goyer and Christopher Nolan on writing duties, the double act behind the incredible Dark Knight Trilogy which has just come to an epic conclusion with The Dark Knight Rises which is now showing in cinemas. These two men have just finished reviving the once dead in the water Batman franchise, turning it into what most people would deem the best superhero films of all time - if anyone can make a Superman film work, it's these guys, and as you can tell by the trailer the film is clearly taking the Batman Begins approach to relaunch the franchise. Secondly, after the success of Marvel's Avengers Assemble, rumours have been persistent that rival DC comics are eager to get a Justice League film in motion - so this film could be the beginning of something much bigger! Alongside these factors, just from the trailer and poster alone it does look like this could be a very good film, and it's certainly the first Superman film that has grabbed my attention in a big way; check out the trailer for yourself and let me know what you think too:
Man of Steel is set for release in cinemas across the UK on June 14th 2013.
Are you expecting little from this film, or do you think it will be super...man!? Will it be a blockbuster or lacklustre? Leave your comments below!
My favourite Superman film, one I remember watching a lot on repeat when I was a kid, probably why it's my favourite, is Superman 2. It was fun, didn't take itself too seriously, allowed space for some silliness (which would not work in conjunction with Nolan's trilogy I know). It was just immensely entertaining and I felt worked for that character. I felt a great surge of joy whenever he'd appear flying towards the camera as the music kicked in! This will be a darker film with strong serious themes, not something I have much of an issue with but I really doubt Snyder's ability to balance it all without it becoming just a man in a cape, flying around, saying serious Nolanesque things, just looking cool while fighting some big bad-guy while diverting a missile crisis (or maybe some kind of literal bank collapse to make it contemporary) and not much more. All looks, complicated plot and dark themes, nothing much to invest in character wise. Featuring none of those surges of childish joy. I really hope I'm wrong and at least with Nolan and S. Goyer writing and Snyder's visuals it should be an epic cinematic experience as well as hopefully lead up to something great.
ReplyDeleteOverall this film would be a real worry to me, especially after the disappointment of Superman Returns, if I had much invested in the Superman character. Unless I loved Snyder. And Superman. And Kevin Kostner (lolage). But this is kind of pointless to say as I'm just really giving my opinion and that sure is not mine. Sorry. I'm very tired.
Man that Superman Returns sucked... even with bald Spacey getting angry all the time!
Also if at any point it looks like I doubt the ability of Nolan as writer... I really don't, it's just the drag factor of Snyder.
I apologise for the use of "lolage", like I said I'm very tired.
DeleteThanks for your comment, it was a very interesting read indeed, especially coming from a Superman Superfan just like yourself! ;) I have to say that I agree with you completely and share the same concerns as you do; whilst hearing the Nolan and Goyer are on script writing duties fills me with a huge amount of hope, equally my doubts towards Snyder as a director balances things out - I guess we'll just have to wait and see, here's hoping that the weight of this franchise, its writers and the potential future will push aside Snyder's rocky past to give us a great film...
DeleteOh and 'lolage' apology accepted! haha ;)
DeleteI'm hardly a Superfan I just loved that movie as a kid. Well I still do and Superman 1 was great too (probably better really). If you haven't you should check them out, especially before this movie comes out and ruins your perception of Superman. Even if you don't like anything else they're worth watching for the music. Just makes you want to leap out the window fist first. I was a very impressionable child...
DeleteBe sure to hold back the tears, it can be quite emotional (particularly when when Brando gets involved http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KchxYM0WhDM).
Oh I intend to, I've been keen to watch them for a while now but I just haven't gotten around to it - this'll get me to finally watch them though to prepare! ;) Oh yeah the original Superman theme is amazing; one of those all time John Williams greats that you know even if you haven't seen the films, that could be something missed by a lot of people when this comes out I think - of course, time will tell...
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