Man of Steel is less a coherent movie than a collection
of scenes thrown together.
The alterations made to make Lois Lane central to the origin
story are all great, great changes for a modern Superman story to make. Much as
I love the "lois lane is the best reporter but can't figure out Clark is
Superman" dynamic (especially when Dana Delaney is involved), its high
time for a Lois Lane that gives Superman the hope HE needs in humanity.
But oof. Lord do i ever hate non-linear interlocking
"here's a flashback, there's a flashback, now we're over HERE!"
bullshit story pacing. It KILLS the first act, even when the actors are doing
their level best to deliver. We're never allowed to follow Clark's emotional
journey - which is the one central reason why Batman Begins is the most
successful and definitive superhero film of the past twenty years. That film
told us within the first thirty minutes "This is Bruce Wayne, this is how
he has changed." More importantly, it also showed us Gotham City, showing
us the city that Wayne dedicates his life to protect.
By contrast, Man of Steel wrecks the absolute holy hell out
of Metropolis, but it doesn't land because we've never even seen a skyline shot
of the city beforehand. I suppose if you've been reading Superman comics for
decades you'll feel some pangs of emotion from that implied history. Even there
though, I'm not even sure what version of humanity Clark is meant to protect.
For all I know Wonder Woman and Green Lantern are already active in this world,
its just an off day. There's no context, no sense of how Superman is this game
changer.
There's also no joy in a largely gray and monochromatic
world. Clark smiles a restrained smile when he first flies, but that's about
it. My absolute favorite Superman moment is from the animated series. Clark,
having just been told his kryptonian origins, understanably freaks the fuck
out. He runs past his parents, past the farm, past highways. he runs and runs
and runs until suddenly he's soaring over a cliff side - and his frustration
give way to pure catharsis. He screams in excitement because DUDE, he's
freaking flying.
Far better writers than I have ripped the film's final act
to shreds. Yes, the film crosses the line from evoking 9/11 to crassly
exploiting those indelible images. Yes, Superman violates a central tenet of
his character - causing both my parents to ask "Since when does Superman
do that?" But it is a good setup for a franchise, much to my chagrin.
I just don't really know if its a franchise I want to keep
watching.
No comments:
Post a Comment