(Originally from August 9, 2013)

My worst fears for Man of Steel have been confirmed. As soon as I found out Zack Snyder was helming, I worried that it would end up like his other films–visually stylistic, but without much else to back it up. I think this latest Superman film has suffered the same fate. I can’t remember being as bored as I was while so much was happening on the screen. Entire skyscrapers were razed, super-powered punches launched characters through…pretty much everything.

I’m not sure where it went wrong. I’ve been turning it over in my mind for a while, now. For sure, there were plot holes. Supes also deals with a moral question near the end of the film, which didn’t seem to be built on anything. Lois Lane, who is pretty integral to the Superman mythos, in my opinion, is just useless here, which is too bad, because I generally like Amy Adams. But she’s completely wasted. They have to stretch just to give her things to do. Without spoiling anything, she has to be an intermediary for an issue that, at least to me, seems like it shouldn’t have needed one.

And even Michael Shannon disappoints. I’m not sure what it says when Kevin Costner gives the best performance in the film, and is only in it for about three scenes. (Hey, I like Kevin, but let’s be honest–he’s been more wooden than Pinocchio on occasion.)

This probably sounds worse than I felt, but this is now the second time that they’ve messed up Superman. I’m getting a little tired of it. Stop being so concerned with the sizzle, and concentrate on the steak. Or better yet, take a look at The Avengers to see how to do a superhero movie properly. IMDB, obviously in the grip of some sort of madness, gives it a 7.7. I’m giving it a 5, which is a little generous, and mainly because superhero movies are like pizza–it’s hard to get it TOO wrong. (running time 2:23)

UPDATE: I just noticed that even the poster is crap. It’s Superman, for chrissake! The poster should make him look…super. Not like he’s taking a shitty selfie. The only things missing are the duck lips and gang signs.