Man of Steel Review - 2½ Stars

Blockbuster fatigue—maybe that’s what makes me a little less than jumping up and down excited about “Man of Steel”, the new Superman reboot. Lately it seems to me that a lot of the big 3 D superhero movies look and sound and feel alike—a little story, a few jokes and an overlong battle to the death in which our hero prevails.  Anyway, “Man of Steel” arrives with handsome unknown actor Henry Cavill who looks great in the new high tech dark blue tights and red cape. “Man of Steel” has a first rate cast, including Michael Shannon as the villain General Zod, and Russell Crowe as Superman’s father in the heavens, while Kevin Costner and Diane Lane bring up the kid on earth.  The script skips around from the opening chapter of the end of the planet Krypton to the launch that takes the baby to earth, to the kid’s childhood, and his wanderings around the country, helping those in need.  Amy Adams picks up hints of the space alien among us and investigates.  And then the war begins between General Zod and the Man of Steel.  The battle scenes feel like they go on too long, demolishing most of Smallville and midtown Metropolis in ways that feel much to similar to the events of 9/11/2001.  The 9/11 echoes offended me.  This Superman re-boot lacks spark, soul, and a sense of fun.  Instead it runs two and a half hours and feels like every minute of it. Blockbuster fatigue—maybe that’s what’s going on:  too many movies feeling too much like more of the same.  Does it deliver what it promises?  Superman rebooted.  Is it entertaining?  At times.  Is it worth the price of admission?  Some fans will love but I came away disappointed.