Paternal Man of Steel

Posted on June 14, 2013

HENRY CAVILL is the new Superman for the millennium. Catch MAN OF STEEL in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall.

Written by

Jude Thaddeus Bautista

Clark-13 yrs old (Dylan Sprayberry): I just wanted to help. Jonathan Kent (Kevin Costner): I know you did but we talked about this. Right? Clark you have to keep this side of yourself a secret. Clark: What was I supposed to do, let them die? Jonathan: Maybe. There’s more at stake here than our lives and the lives of those around us. The world finds out what you can do its gonna change everything, our beliefs, what it means to be human, everything. You saw how Pete’s mom reacted right? She was scared. Clark: Why? Jonathan: People are afraid of what they don’t understand.

Jonathan Kent (Kevin Costner) shows the craft that his adopted son Clark Kent-at 13 yrs old (Dylan Sprayberry) arrived in. Catch MAN OF STEEL in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall.

Just like the dialogue above between Clark and his earthly father, played by Kevin Costner, there’s a stronger emphasis on how parents are able to shape the minds of their children and explains how Superman became the person he is. Apart from just watching MAN OF STEEL with your dad, there are a lot of Father’s day activities this weekend in Resorts World Manila, Shang Rila Plaza Mall, East Wood Mall and Lucky China Town Mall.

GLADIATOR Russell Crowe is Jor El he also gets to kick ass in Krypton. Catch MAN OF STEEL in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall.

Jor El (Russell Crowe) lifts off on a flying beast, there’s more of Krypton in MAN OF STEEL than any other SUPERMAN film. Catch MAN OF STEEL in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall.

For millions of fans Superman is one of the most recognizable characters in comic books and film. MAN OF STEEL by Zack Snyder is an explosive, action driven update to a well-loved icon. The quick, exciting action sequences are no surprise from Zack Snyder. He built his reputation on 300 with upcoming sequel 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE. At the same time it also has a logical and more relevant storyline that audiences today can relate to. Screenwriters David S. Goyer and Christopher Nolan did a fantastic job in this regard. Chris Nolan wrote and directed INCEPTION and DARK KNIGHT.

Director Zack Snyder of 300 fame was perfect for the exciting fight scenes in MAN OF STEEL. Catch MAN OF STEEL in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall.

This is no mean feat because SUPERMAN THE MOVIE produced in 1978 by Alexander Salkind was such a monumental success that its lead star Christopher Reeve has become the face of Kal El in the minds of so many fans. Everything from the casting, Gene Hackman played Lex Luthor, Marlon Brando as Jor El, to the special effects, story and music by John Williams gained both critical and commercial acclaim. Countless remakes on television and film have forever been compared to the trilogy of movies that Reeve made famous. I remember seeing it as a child in the early 1980s on Betamax. I only saw the re mastered version on HBO last year. I was even more impressed at how convincing the special effects were without the CGI that we’ve gotten so used to in recent years.

Christopher Reeve was Superman on and off screen. Get this and other wallpapers from fanpop.com. (Click on image for link) http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/superman-the movie/images/18164074/title/christopher-reeve-superman-wallpaper-wallpaper

It’s the same problem that George Lucas had with the first STAR WARS films- ‘New Hope’, ‘Empire Strikes Back’ and ‘Return of the Jedi’. Millions of fans have devoted themselves, inhabited the worlds and have been those characters in their minds because of those iconic films.

Zod’s crafts attacks Jor El’s home. Catch MAN OF STEEL in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall.

The Lois Lane (Amy Adams) and Kal El (Henry Cavill) romance was not emphasized. Catch MAN OF STEEL in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall.

Being able to live up to the expectations AND the standards previously set is nearly impossible. To a certain extent BATMAN by Tim Burton starring Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson was also as memorable as Reeve. Nicholson’s performance made the role of the Joker for the first time more interesting than the title character. That’s why Christian Bale and Heath Ledger’s achievements in those two roles are worthy of praise. Both Batman versions have won Oscars.

Laurence Fishburne plays Perry White. Catch MAN OF STEEL in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall.

MARVEL comic book heroes don’t have as big a problem of having to overcome those achievements in film the way DC’s Superman and Batman have to. Success for the X-MEN franchise, IRON MAN, THE AVENGERS, THOR and CAPTAIN AMERICA in recent years is all about the numbers: ticket sales, merchandising as opposed to awards or critical praise.

GLADIATOR Russell Crowe is Jor El . Catch MAN OF STEEL in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall.

Gladiator and Elliot Ness

In MAN OF STEEL, Henry Cavill doesn’t have to BE the next Christopher Reeve. There’s enough interest for fans to want to see Russell Crowe cast as Jor El and Costner as the human father Jonathan Kent. Cavill may very well make his own stamp in this iconic character, only time will tell.

from left: Jor El (Russell Crowe ) and Lara Lor-Van is played by Israeli superstar Ayelet Zurer. Catch MAN OF STEEL in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall.

One advantage of Russell Crowe is that he is more than capable of handling action scenes with GLADIATOR as one of his most famous films. By the time Marlon Brando was Jor El, he was morbidly obese and more senior. Who wouldn’t want to see Gladiator and former Roman general Maximus Decimus Meridius literally kick ass in planet Krypton? And yes, he does get to do so in this movie. Kevin Costner had just as many action filled roles: Elliot Ness in THE UNTOUCHABLES and DANCES WITH WOLVES. Here it’s his dramatic side that shines through.

from left: Jor El (Russell Crowe) has an expanded role in Man of Steel (right) Kal El/Superman (Henry Cavil). Catch MAN OF STEEL in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall.

There is also more screen time for Russell Crowe as Jor El is able to program software that creates a realistic 3D hologram. JOR EL comes alive in ways that Marlon Brando wasn’t able to. The concept of interactive software is easier to understand nowadays.

Clark Kent-at 13 yrs old (Dylan Sprayberry). Catch MAN OF STEEL in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall.

MORE REALISTIC Superman

If that is at all possible, they have made Superman more human or realistic. That’s the knock on Superman is that he is all-powerful and invincible. One of the major changes is being able to understand what the psychological effects of having his powers and abilities have especially at a young age. This actually makes sense, how would anyone be able to deal with for example super hearing? All these various sounds near and far flood his ears. He wouldn’t have any control over his x-ray vision. Imagine the horrific images and sounds that would wreak havoc on a child.

The lovely Diane Lane is Martha Kent. Catch MAN OF STEEL in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall.

Again this is where his human parents are given a more important role. Diane Lane is yet another amazing casting choice as Martha Kent. She has a special connection with her son that helps him control his powers.

from left: Lois Lane (Amy Adams) and Colonel Nathan Hardy is played by Christopher Meloniwho is in HBO’s TRUE BLOOD and LAW&ORDER SVU. Catch MAN OF STEEL in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall.

As part of the more realistic update, there’s also less emphasis on the romance between Lois Lane played by Amy Adams. Margot Kidder’s Lois Lane seems to be a better fit, it has a lot less to do with the acting as to how the character was written.

Amy Adams is a tougher investigative journalist than previous Lois Lanes. Catch MAN OF STEEL in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall.

In SUPERMAN THE MOVIE, Lois Lane has a funnier ‘relationship’ with Clark Kent. There IS a lot more humor in the 1978 version, where Lois insults and berates the bungling Clark Kent and yet melts in the presence of Superman (while not recognizing him without the glasses). Perhaps there will be more romantic chemistry/scenes in the sequel.

Jor El (Russell Crowe) and Lara Lor-Van (Ayelet Zurer) launch infant Kal El to Earth. Catch MAN OF STEEL in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall.

GLADIATOR Russell Crowe is Jor El. Superman fans will get to see Krypton like never before. Catch MAN OF STEEL in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall.

MAN OF STEEL is not just a retelling of the same old story but a different story altogether. Krypton is more fully visualized and becomes an example. The destruction of Krypton is connected to the environmental degradation on earth. The Kryptonians have used up their sources of energy, which led to the destruction of their planet. You can easily replace oil, with the Kryptonians exploitation of their core. The film also comments on genetic engineering, individuals losing their chance to choose what they want to be and losing element of chance. The film’s most powerful message however, is not any of these.

Superstar cast Kevin Costner and Diane Lane are Clark’s parents. Catch MAN OF STEEL in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall.

While Kal El’s Kryptonian parents gave him super powers and even the Fortress of Solitude it’s his earthly parents who mold his mind, his character. Their nurturing and guidance is what makes him a true hero.

Cooper Timberline is Clark Kent at 9 years old. Superman didn’t just happen, his earthly parents instilled values in him since childhood. Catch MAN OF STEEL in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall.

Jonathan Kent (Kevin Costner) has the difficult task of explaining why Clark at 13 yrs old (Dylan Sprayberry) has to hide his abilities. Catch MAN OF STEEL in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall.

HENRY CAVILL is the new Superman for the millennium. Catch MAN OF STEEL in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall.