Man of Steel is a headache. Oddly, its script is both excessive and rushed. Its overindulgent intro drags with desensitizing action. Then, Clark’s dilemma mixes contradictory themes of hope and fear. Thus, Clark is passive, only acting when confronted. Furthermore, this arc is solely turning points and flowery melodrama, rarely braking for calm relatability. For example, Lois and Clark are artificially romantic after three exposition-heavy scenes together. Finally, the last hour is chaotic and exhausting climax. Its extreme destruction but absent personal connection proves bigger isn't better. Ultimately, Man of Steel has muddled emotions, characters, messages, and structure.
Conversely, Man of Steel has technical merit. The cast works to conjure an illusion of drama. The visuals use lighting, mounts, and composition (but also get cluttered and drab). The soundtrack is epic (though it rips off The Dark Knight). The effects are CGI-heavy but convincing. Despite product placements, the production design uniquely suits the tone. Lastly, the sound is symbolic, emotionally muted, and complex. It's unrestrained during the finale, but primarily proficient. Still, the film suffers from disjointed editing and needlessly edgy direction. Overall, Man of Steel might satisfy diehard Superman fans, but it’s not worth the trouble for general audiences.
Writing: 3/10
Direction: 4/10
Cinematography: 6/10
Acting: 7/10
Editing: 4/10
Sound: 8/10
Score/Soundtrack: 7/10
Production Design: 6/10
Casting: 9/10
Effects: 7/10
Overall Score: 6.1/10
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