Super Duper Superman!!!!

I wish Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster were alive to witness this adaptation of Superman. It is always difficult to do justice to a character who has been in existence in our hearts and minds for 75 years. Having said that, Superman is not just a character but also a symbol, an ideology, an epitome of morality. He is also the first superhero and a superhero of superheroes. He is also regarded by many as someone whom even the superheroes and supervillains admire.
To tell the story of such a personality is not easy, hence in the past we have witnessed many of the superman movies fail miserably.
But Goyer, Nolan and Snyder have pulled off this impossible task excitingly well. This is not the story of the heroics of Superman, not the story of what he is capable of doing, it is definitely not the story of his romance. This is the story of Superman as Kal-El, about his agony, his choices and his identity.

Siegel and Shuster had developed Superman with a lot of emphasis on science in a way instilling interest in science amongst the readers, especially kids. Superman is science itself acting as a superhero. The comics have concepts of physics, biology, chemistry and mathematics all rolled into one character. This aspect of the comics has been wonderfully captured in the movie. Goyer, Nolan and Snyder have put great emphasis on science throughout the movie. Whether it is about gravity, or atmosphere of earth, or the habitable ecosystem of krypton, be it about terraforming, and even evolution, all have been portrayed and directed well to capture the scientific imagination of the audience.

Another wonderful aspect of Superman is his attitude towards lifeforms and planets and the entire universe. He has the morality of human beings at the same time has the values of his Krypton father Jor-El encoded in his DNA. It shows, as said by Jor-El, in the movie "You have to be the best of both worlds" and he is indeed the best of both worlds. He sees things differently. He sees the soul inside the people and not just the people. For him, people are millions of cells interacting with each other co-existing in the universe with a purpose to fulfill. He understands things the way the universe was to be understood i.e. as an interaction of quantum particles with souls.

Man of Steel also stands for faith, trust, belief and hope. This theme is painted throughout the movie. Indeed Superman, as depicted by Siegel and Shuster, has been an embodiment of faith and trust. He has always been the guardian angel. The alien who sees and protects us from above. Such is the strong message of belief and faith that Clark Kent is shown as being ready to sacrifice his earth father Jonathan Kent, and Jonathan Kent is shown as being ready to die for their beliefs.

Kal-El is far above the rudimentary and primitive emotions such as revenge. This is well portrayed by Cavill, in a scene where he shows that he is forgiving the man who killed his father. Kal-El does have the more evolved feelings such as love, compassion and morality. Again the agony of Kal-El is well portrayed by Cavill showing the choice he has to make between killing his own kind to preserve the people who had given him a home.

Which brings us to the show-stealer, General Zod, the ruthless warrior of Krypton. Michael Shannon has probably delivered the performance of his life-time as General Zod. Zod is a powerful character who has been developed to protect the Kyrptonians in any manner, violent or forceful. Zod is a military trained Kryptonian who is cool, calm, determined and destructive. Shannon makes the character look just that, so much so that, it is as if General Zod himself has come out of the comics straight into the movies.

The only drawback would be a few scenes have been shown in a hurry, such as the mention of Lana Lang, involvement of Peter Ross, and introduction to Superman's suit. Albeit, it is still a 2.5 hours movie with 6 acts.

The Man of Steel team has done justice not only to Superman character but to the culture and ideology that Siegel and Shuster wanted to exhibit to the world. A culture of morality where people have a choice and they make the right one. All this with the breathtaking music of Hans Zimmer gives a fantastic feel when you leave the hall and would make you want to come back and watch it again, if not, wait for the next installment hoping there is a trilogy in the making.

Watch it!! You would love and admire Superman again the same way you did when you grew up reading the comics!!!!