Man of Steel - *Spoilers*

[ShogunLogan]

To answer my own questions regarding Easter Eggs, after an interwebs search, take a look at these:

Supergirl

Want something that isn't just fake product placement shoved into the background of the final fight scene? Well, how about Supergirl? This is a tricky one, but try and follow along: Before the film came out, DC Comics published a prequel comic explaining how that Kryptonian seed ship ended up trapped in the Arctic ice floe for the past 20,000 years. It turns out that Superman's distant cousin (ancestor?) Kara Zor-El, better known as Supergirl, piloted that ship. Unfortunately, a rogue killer murdered the rest of the crew in their stasis pods, but Supergirl herself apparently survived the attack — as hinted at by the one empty and open stasis chamber Clark finds when he enters the ship. So did Supergirl die 20,000 years ago? Or did she get back in her pod and emerge much more recently? Or was the lone survivor of the crash actually the Kryptonian serial killer? Looks like we'll have to wait for the sequel to find out.

Booster Gold

On the other hand, we're going to take that back right now, because Snyder was so subtle about his Booster Gold reference that fans actually needed to freeze-frame the trailer to see it. Booster Gold, for those who don't know, is a time-traveling athlete from the 25th century who comes to present-day Metropolis and uses stolen technology to become a superhero. He also got his own line of comics published in Metropolis by a company called Blaze Comics ... whose logo can be seen in the background during, you guessed it, the Superman-Zod fight. How meta!

Bruce Wayne

For months, rumors swirled that Nolan had roped one of his "The Dark Knight" stars into appearing in "Man of Steel." That didn't happen, but Bruce Wayne did actually have a presence in the film. During the climactic fight between Superman and General Zod, they head up into space and crash straight into a satellite — one that conspicuously bears the Wayne Enterprises logo. Hopefully for Bruce, that was the satellite that ran Brother Eye, because that would save everyone a lot of headaches down the road

[Deleted]

Seeing as for the most part we've only focused on flaws and what people didn't like. Hows about a thread for scenes, music or dialogue you did like?

I'll kick it off with a few

** Clark's reaction to discovering he can fly

** His crouched take off when he masters it, made especially epic by Zimmer's music kicking in, again I loved the fact he smiles during the flights enjoying his new found power"

** Colonel Hardy using Faora's "a good death is it's own reward" line back on her at the end, thought Hardy was a great character and loved that duel between the two.

** Adored the Krypton stuff, everything in it, the design, the kryptonian technology, Crowe, the music, I just thought it was all brilliant.

[atp]

Did anyone understand Jor-El's explanation for why he and Lara couldn't come with Kal-El?

What was that crap about being a product of Krypton's failure? How did that stop them getting into spaceships and escaping?

[Knight]

I loved the Krypton sequence this could almost play as a precursor to STM; treason, the counsel etc. Loved it. I liked the alien technology, Zod's wrath at the Counsel, Kal-El's ship hurtling towards earth and then crash! The boat breaks upon the waves! Excellent cut! I like the animation of Krypton's history, a tableau of their past. Very art-deco I thought, cool! And yes, the empty capsule...

I thought that the flashbacks were pretty cool too. Little things, the bucket with the pegs in, the close up of the empty swing, Clark sat on the pick up truck with a spare wheel in the back... (sound familiar?) Young Clark in School, the use of his x-ray vision, hearing etc, and Ma Kent coming to his aide. That is such a nice scene, a lot of heart. The bus rescue, introducing Lana, Pete Ross, the jerk in the diner and the tangled up wagon. Great.

Costner as Kent, Clark's reaction to his death, Superman becoming weak and spitting blood upon Zod's ship, also, Jor-El and Lois Lane I thought that scene was entertaining. Zod being weak on earth too, that was good. Loads of things to list here, LOVED the film.

I swear to god that IS Chris Reeve we see during the 'white light' scene, seen that film twice now and if its intentional then it's really fucking cool! -This needs to be confirmed.

the kid in the yard from the trailer, white t-shirt and red cape. Oh man! So iconic, this is the car lifting scene from SR...

Clark in The Daily Planet, oh, how I wanted more. I wanted him to hear someone in distress... legs it out of the DP, rips open shirt. Credits: Man of Steel. Boom!

[SupermanUF]

Another thread to discuss the movie? Really?

[SupermanUF]

Jun 17, 2013 12:04:53 GMT -5 ShogunLogan said:

Anyone see or hear of any Easter Eggs? You probably know about this one:

In the Smallville flashback, when Clark is bullied and up against the chain link fence--his dad is standing in "Sullivan's Garage," which I'd assume is possibly supposed to be Chloe Sullivan's dad.

Also, the "IN the BUS" lady makes reference to "that Fordman boy" which I think is a reference to Whitney Fordman from Smallville as well.

[Deleted]

Was the title of the thread not clear enough in that this was specifically to discuss what people liked in the film and not to nit pick every single part of the plot and basically everything else they didn't care for?

If it's going to cause serious disruption and mayhem, then by all means admin, feel free to delete. Just thought it would be nice to have a thread where it was more positive.

[atp]

How come it looked like there was a huge battle on Krypton,involving thousands of soldiers on both sides, yet only about eight people were sent to the Phantom Zone?

[atp]

I think I liked the Krypton scenes the best. In a way, I almost feel like Jor-El was the hero of this movie.

[ye5man]

I liked the Krypton stuff too. Looking forward to checking that out again. Also Superman saving his Mother. I was LOL at that final fight too. Pure insanity. It was way over indulgent but fuck it, we waited so long to see something like that.

[Metallo]

Jun 17, 2013 12:17:17 GMT -5 @kris said:

Reeve's range is definitely tested more because of the script and vastly superior extended dialogue he has, i'm just talking about the thing about monotone, how much does it really change during STM?

Cain? He might get more opportunity to show range but I'm not sure how good it is since his Superman flat out sucked, and I love Cain and his portrayal as Clark.

If MOS get's a sequel, with the secret identity thing set up, and Lois knowing who Clark is, that should really put Cavill's acting chops to the test.

I'm not really getting that though, I suppose he had a decision to make and decided it wouldn't be wise to take 3 or 4 kryptonians on right next to his mum. I've also heard people say he was irresponsible in the film and should have tried to have moved these fights elsewhere away from people. but then like you say, what's to stop any of the kryptonians just grabbing bystanders and murdering them? It's the kind of thing that if you look at in too much detail you can't enjoy, much like my Superman II example of Superman abandoning an entire city hoping the villains would follow him.

Reeve had plenty. Watch the Lois Lane Interview scene. In that alone Reeve has a lot of range and his charm comes through because of it. I never got around to finishing Immortals but I can't imagine Cavills delivery is always this flat because during the tornado flashback I really thought he delivered some of his best work in MOS.

I think this might be more of a case like Kevin Conroys vocal work change during the shift from Batman the Animated Series to the New Batman Adventers. It's obvious he was told to make it sound different so Batman seemed colder and even more serious. I've always said during that change Conroy went from the ONeil/Adams Batman to the asshole Batman of the 90s comics.

Cains problem as Superman was that he wasn't confident enough. He didn't have the commandin presence or inspire awe. Seemed more like a guy in a suit that the bold inspiring character Superman is. Reeve and Reeves had the commanding presence when they stepped in a room wearing the suit. Cain almost always looked uncomfortable and stiff thus the constant posing. Always folding his arms or with his hands on his hips. He could never just "be" as Superman. Reeve always looked more at ease.

As for the Martha/ Zod stuff not wanting to take on all fhe Kryptonians on the farm is still no better than leaving her by herself when she's already been threatened. If he could see what was happening to had to know these guys were trouble. And why not save Martha first? Again I know blind rage but the whole scenario is full of holes.

Your assumption that they could just grab a bystander and murder them is exactly what I'm talking about. What's to say Faora wouldn't just grab Martha and murder her? It can't be had both ways. If it was Kal El who they were after like you said and they had no interest in Martha they shouldn't have interest in just grabbing someone and killing them if they were just a bystander. They might want someone if they knew rhey could use them against Clark somehow. They went after the military because the military was clearly ready to engage them.

I think when people say move the fights away to protect people is to protect them from indirectly becoming collateral damage. Not so much to protect them from a bad guy directly killing someone.

[Metallo]

There is a lot to like in MOS. first flight was amazing except for some minor quibbles. Shannon was good as Zod. Hardy was my favorite minor character. I liked the idea of an ancient reaserch ship being this films version of the Fortress. Zimmer's score was damn good. I enjoyed most of the flashbacks. Zod's broadcast was creepy. people's fear before Superman turned himself in.

[Deleted]

Point still stands though, if you try and move the fight away they could quite easily not follow and just break you by killing innocents.

You just need to look past these things, if you break it down like that you'll never enjoy it, always happens in these films. In The Dark Knight the joker lets Rachel go on the edge of the building and Batman leaves his room full of guests in a room alone with Joker and his henchman, some might argue that was wrong and he was potentially leaving the others to be slaughtered by going after his crush.

[Metallo]

Jun 17, 2013 13:51:59 GMT -5 @kris said:

Point still stands though, if you try and move the fight away they could quite easily not follow and just break you by killing innocents.

You just need to look past these things, if you break it down like that you'll never enjoy it, always happens in these films. In The Dark Knight the joker lets Rachel go on the edge of the building and Batman leaves his room full of guests in a room alone with Joker and his henchman, some might argue that was wrong and he was potentially leaving the others to be slaughtered by going after his crush.

I'm sorry but that's bullshit. We may as well give every major film with glaring flaws a pass. It's the film makers job to put together the best story. It's not my job to pay for flaws. I gave em my money so I got the right to say whatever I want and if I think something is stupid I'm not going to just be a blind stooge and let it pass. Especially since the guys making the film sold it on it being more realistic and modern. Minor things I can forgive but this movie is full of stuff like that. Nolan's films have their flaws too but not nearly as many.

As for the killing innocents thing that's a terrible excuse. Does that mean he shouldn't at least try? Of course not. superman can't save everyone but that doesn't mean he doesn't feel the need to out in the best effort he can to do what he can. If he did stay around which he did he was clearly seeing the destruction they were causing. A much more guaranteed example of people getting hurt compared to the possibity of what may or may not happen if he left or tried to take the fight away. By the end Zod's people were back in the phantom zone your excuse works even less. It was just him and Zod. No other Kryptonians to threaten people. The flaws are there because Goyer and Snyder wanted some slam bang action who cared if it makes sense. But that doesn't work anymore because similar films filled these same holes that MOS had far better while never claiming to be deeper or more smartly written or as more real world. That's why Marvel and its partner studios have been kicking WB and DCs asses on the film front for ten years and why WB is desperate to play catch up. They are the ones trying to emulate Marvels success. To them MOS is more about a shared universe and a Justice League film than it is yet another Superman franchise.

Just accepting mediocrity and eating it up is why we have so many halfassed summer blockbusters in the first place. These films should be so much better with the time and resources people are putting into them. If they start making going to the movies cheaper then maybe ill ignore the crap. But I see they keep jacking up the price.

[Deleted]

and you're a fan of STM despite it's short comings? Good luck ever finding a comic book movie you can enjoy.

Nolan's films are loaded with it, it's just glossed over for the most part, and it should be easier to write for Batman. You're never going to avoid this stuff in a Superman film, and if you're waiting for a story where it is perfect and there's not a lot for you to challenge you'll be waiting a long time.

Sorry that last bit doesn't make sense to me, what was your suggestion for the part with Martha Kent? And where are the excuses? what are you actually talking about? I'm just giving you my interpretation of it. Out of Nolan's 3 batman films begins was my favourite, I enjoy it, but I'm not going to dwell on how a 4 ton tank managed to drive over a bunch of rooftops without going straight through them.

[Jor-L5150]

Jun 17, 2013 13:02:53 GMT -5 atp said:

How come it looked like there was a huge battle on Krypton,involving thousands of soldiers on both sides, yet only about eight people were sent to the Phantom Zone?

The followers of zod were probably pardoned because they were programmed to follow orders.
The high council probably would not lower itself to every bit of legaleze minutia, but for zod and his lieutenats they would have a much bigger show trial.

Ask yourself in "stm/s2" how is it zod- a brilliant military leader- thought to overthrow krypton with only TWO companions? There's only 3 in the phantom zone that time.
Yet zod clearly had had an army- where's the other trials?
Clearly the phantom zone is not the uniform punishment for every criminal every time.

Or maybe you wanted krypton c-span to have 100s of hours of trials for every member of zods' militia?
That sounds like a heckofa good movie.

[Knight]

Yea, Zod's broadcast was quite sinister. I love them masks they wear too, looks like an industrial face huger, kinda.

A big fan of the flashbacks, also I quite liked Clark being petulant just prior to Pa Kent's death. Chris Cornell's 'Seasons' is the track used during Clarke's 'lost years' so to speak.

I'm glad Superman got put through his paces and yes, Zod swinging Superman by the cape too, ha! The use of heat vision was great. Also, I liked that Lois knows who Superman in, I mean, she has to in this day and age. That photograph of Clarke in the polar regions reminded me of that famous picture of Big Foot! haha

[cypher85]

Speaking to Bleeding Cool, David Goyer described some problems inherent in Man of Steel 2 (spoilers for Man of Steel here):

"We were able to sidestep the issue of the ludicrous glasses disguise in this film but going forwards, we’re going to find ourselves in a sticky wicket. Zack and I have definitely talked about “Okay, hmm, this will be interesting.” Clearly Perry White and Steve Lombard see Lois kissing Superman at the end of the film. Perry’s not an idiot. Moving forward, he’s probably going to say to Lois “What’s up with that?” We’re definitely going to have to go through some story gymnastics."

[Metallo]

Jun 17, 2013 14:12:23 GMT -5 @kris said:

and you're a fan of STM despite it's short comings? Good luck ever finding a comic book movie you can enjoy.

Nolan's films are loaded with it, it's just glossed over for the most part, and it should be easier to write for Batman. You're never going to avoid this stuff in a Superman film, and if you're waiting for a story where it is perfect and there's not a lot for you to challenge you'll be waiting a long time.

Sorry that last bit doesn't make sense to me, what was your suggestion for the part with Martha Kent? And where are the excuses? what are you actually talking about? I'm just giving you my interpretation of it. Out of Nolan's 3 batman films begins was my favourite, I enjoy it, but I'm not going to dwell on how a 4 ton tank managed to drive over a bunch of rooftops without going straight through them.

There are plenty of superhero movies I enjoy. Quite a few of them are better than MOS. Even STMs flaws aren't the same ones MOS has. There are terrible bits in that movie but more effort was out into executing them. Even if it does have flaws the excuse you are using it is stupid. It's like bitching over a 1928 cars performance vs a 1968 cars performance. STM was the prototype. Nobody had even attempted a movie like that of that scope. Superman II handles some of the same issues better over thirty yesrs ago and its a Frankensteined stitch job of a movie. Avengers handled some of the same issues better last year. MOS has had almost forty fucking years of trial an error to learn from. Sounds to me like you just want people to love Mos no matter what. Get over it dude some people are going to have some issues with it even some who like it. That doesn't stop you from enjoying it.

[Deleted]

I'm well aware plenty of people don't like it, i've read the reviews, I know people personally who didn't care for it.

But nah, I'd say its more a case of you cherry picking when it suits you (suddenly previous incarnations get a pass because they're older and had less experience, shame the same can't be said about Nolan's bat films). But by all means, carry on

Don't worry about me, I like what I like and nothing changes that. A lot of film collection would probably not be popular on here.

[Metallo]

Except you don't know what you're talking about because I've always discussed my problems with previous incarnations. Fail.

[Deleted]

Jun 17, 2013 14:36:22 GMT -5 Metallo said:

Except you don't know what you're talking about because I've always discussed my problems with previous incarnations. Fail.

I must have missed that, I certainly don't remember you getting your knickers in a twist to that degree.

[Knight]

Jun 17, 2013 14:16:52 GMT -5 cypher85 said:

Speaking to Bleeding Cool, David Goyer described some problems inherent in Man of Steel 2 (spoilers for Man of Steel here):

"We were able to sidestep the issue of the ludicrous glasses disguise in this film but going forwards, we’re going to find ourselves in a sticky wicket. Zack and I have definitely talked about “Okay, hmm, this will be interesting.” Clearly Perry White and Steve Lombard see Lois kissing Superman at the end of the film. Perry’s not an idiot. Moving forward, he’s probably going to say to Lois “What’s up with that?” We’re definitely going to have to go through some story gymnastics."

This IS going to be interesting, how are they going to deal with this ''sticky wicket''? I'm sure it's going to be a lot of fun too.

[Metallo]

The masks kind of reminded me of the space jockeys/engineers.

I loved the heat vision. Pretty much spot on IMO. Lois knowing who he is was for me this films "I am Iron Man" bit. Taking an old and accepted element of the comics and turning it on its ear. I loved it and welcomed it. She usually finds out anyway. They just moved up the timetable.

[Jor-L5150]

Lois knows- and she's going to cover.
Steve and jenny are probably too sheckshocked to even connect clarks resemblence to superman.

Perry though- especially THIS perry- he can't not know.
I hope that they go all sitcom/chucklehouse with it. Mayb create a little drama between perry and lois with regard to whether "the public has a right to know".