Man Of Steel- Two and a half hours of time well spent!

      Wowzers, I have not blogged in many a moon! Feels good to be back and oh so much to discuss. The first thing I wanted to discuss is the newest comic book movie "Man Of Steel". Before I saw the movie this past week I did read many reviews (most were positive). So I met up with some friends and plunked down the nine dollars to witness DC Comics latest cinematic offering. Let's just say it went above and beyond my expectations in almost every way!
   First off I want to say that this blog is full of spoilers, so If you haven't seen the movie yet then you should probably stop reading now. I really enjoyed the fresh take on Krypton. Really never before on screen have we seen how the Kryptonian society works or what their planet was like in general. General Zod is a well fleshed out villain whom you can almost feel for. The man is trying to preserve his people and their legacy. Way back in Richard Donner's "Superman 2" Zod is a very generic villain who just spews out classic lines such as ,"kneel before Zod human".
     I will just come out and flat out say that Henry Cavill is Superman! This man was born to play the part. He brings humanity and vulnerability to the role. Christopher Reeve played the part as very much a boyscout "oh golly" "oh gee" type. Chris Reeve was what I would say the "Curt Swan" version of the character, while Henry Cavill is very much the "post-New 52" version. Henry Cavill went through intensive training for the part and it shows. The man looks like he literally just stepped out of a Jim Lee drawn Superman comic! I know some fanboys will bitch about the suit and how it's dark and that Superman doesn't have a curl in his hair or how there's no outside underwear. I say,"get over it!" I actually much prefer this movie version to the current suit Supes is wearing in comics. Also what most people fail to realize is that Superman has gone through a number of subtle costume changes over the years. The "S" symbol has changed in size and color and styling. The blue color has gone from darker to lighter hues as well.
   I will go on record as saying that the climactic fight between General Zod and Superman through the city of Metropolis is the single best one on one fight between a hero and villain I have yet to witness on screen! I feel it matches the climactic fight of Marvels "The Avengers" movie ( I know I'll get flack for that one,but I digress...)  It's destruction on a Gojira level scale! 
   Although this movie didn't have the suprise ending that have now become an almost trademark of the Marvel movies, there were definite nods to other DC characters.  During the fight of Zod and Supes when they go into the Earth's upper orbit they smash into a Wayne Enterprises satellite. Also when they are fighting in the streets of Metropolis an oil tanker is seen with a "LexCorp" logo on its side. Also one of the female Army captains last name was Ferris. This could very well be the future love interest of Hal Jordan aka Green Lantern. She later becomes the villain Star Saphire and sometimes hero.
    The casting I felt was great all the way around. It was a little odd not seeing Jimmy Olsen at the Daily Planet,but perhaps he'll show up for the sequel? Speaking of the sequel, It has been announced by Warner Brothers Studios that they have already green lite a sequel. I am hoping for Braniac as the villain or perhaps Bizzarro.
   One last thing to discuss before the review is over is that many people were angry because Superman kills General Zod at the end and people have stated," Superman doesn't kill!" Wrong people! Superman has killed before and only does such when there is absolutely no alternative. He killed Doomsday and I distinctly remember a Superman annual that I got in the late 80's,pretty sure just right after Crisis, that Superman fought the alien conqueror Mongul. At the end of the book Mongul made a similar boast to what Zod said and Supes ended up snapping Mongul's neck killing him like Paula Dean's career.
   I give "Man Of Steel" 5 out of 5 spicy meatballs. Until next time kids......stay geeky!