How Well Did Man of Steel Age? (2025 Review)

Let’s be honest. It is easy to be a keyboard warrior. It is even easier to call something bad just because YOU don’t like it. I know the world doesn’t revolve around my opinions. Believe me. I get that. What I am trying to do is have a conversation. You might not agree with me and that’s ok. At least hear me out and I’ll do the same if you decide to comment.

As of late, there has been a lot of discussion about Zack Synder and his DCEU now that James Gunn is rebooting the DC universe with Superman. I have a lot of thoughts about the Man of Steel after watching it the other day. But first, let’s start by looking at the trailers for the film.

Teasing the Dawn of the DCEU

I was pumped for the potential of the DCEU under the direction of Zack Snyder. The teaser trailer for Man of Steel was pretty f’n cool. It was grounded and inspirational. It touted big names. No expenses were spared. It was everything a fan could ask for. Especially, the scene of a young Clark running around in the backyard with a red cape on. It was relatable, and it was that kind of imagery and Russell Crowe’s monologue that made me believe that The Kents would help to inspire the dream that Jor-El had for his son. It was damn near perfect.

I’ll admit that the teaser gave me some pause when I saw Clark trying to hitch a ride, and working as a fisherman. I wasn’t really sure what to make of that. Maybe he lost his powers or something. It felt a bit off, but it was easy to overlook with so much of the teaser focusing on heart-felt words and awe-inspiring imagery.

The First Trailer was Confusing but Good

Then came the first full-length trailer. It started so strong. This time showing Martha consoling a young Clark adjusting to new-found powers. It was moving, powerful, and beautiful all at the same time. However, the tone of the trailer shifted when Jonathan Kent was introduced.

I was perplexed to hear Pa Kent tell Clark that maybe he should have let his classmates die when faced with the choice to save them or not. WHAT? Wait a minute. In the teaser we saw Clark running around in the backyard acting like a hero implying an upbringing of hope. In the comics, it was the good nurturing of his adoptive parents that led Clark to become Superman. Hell, it was Martha that made his suit. But now, Old Man Kent (played by Kevin Costner) is telling Clark to keep his abilities a secret. Huh? What would he say next? Get off my lawn?

Although Clark’s human father came off uncharacteristic and more cynical, the trailer was intriguing. It left you wondering how Clark would transition into Superman if not from the upbringing of his adoptive parents.

The Final Trailer is a Masterpiece

The final trailer is just as amazing as the teaser. It removed the uncharacteristic statement made by Pa Kent, and placed more emphasis on Clark’s journey to figure out who he is. Again, it is odd that the trailer emphasizes that Clark’s journey is his own, and he won’t be guided by his adoptive parents – which is a huge deviation from the mythos. However, the music, action, and intensity of the trailer pumps you up to see the film.

Film Reaction, Man of Steel is a Cold and Cumbersome Story

I was definitely excited to see the movie thinking that it would be better than Superman Returns and possibly Superman: The Movie. I was hopeful that updated CGI and a more grounded approach to the character could make the Superman mythos come to life. What I didn’t expect was a movie that tried to separate itself from so much of the source material, that you weren’t even sure if you were watching a Superman movie.

I left the theater confused and uninspired. My initial grade leaving the theater was a C+. After re-watching the film, I still feel that the film deserves the C+ rating since so much of the movie deconstructed the mythos of our hero. Years later, the movie still holds a pretty average rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Why Didn’t Man of Steel Work?

Here are my reasons as to why the movie failed to work:

1. A lot of time was spent on Krypton in the opening act, and although action-packed, it felt like filler. Scenes involving Krypton could have been condensed much like the Donner film.
2. Jor-El never came across as a scientist. More like an action hero. It would have been better if he was depicted as a simple scientist fighting against an ignorant hierarchy – a role that would have added more sympathy for his character.
3. Jor-El gets too much screen time after Krypton. I get why it happened, but it takes away the importance of his adoptive parents. It was Jonathan and Martha that instilled good ethics and a hopeful upbringing that led Clark to become Superman. Not a five-minute speech from his father who he never met. Think about it. Kal-El spent 20+ years with The Kents and five-minutes with a hologram. Who would you be more suspicious of?
4. Clark’s human upbringing is directionless. Pa Kent is spineless, confused, and fearful. Martha is basically absent. There is no connection between Clark and his adoptive parents.
5. Sure, Jonathan Kent pulled a child out of a car but that wasn’t why he ran into the tornado to begin with. It was to save the family pet, not human life. Why not show him running into the tornado to help others – an action that would inspire Clark.
6. Clark’s discovery of a Kryptonian ship and his first interaction with Lois is dull. It lacks epic drama such as the one depicted in the Donner film or the comics. Superman needed to save her from a big disaster showing of his abilities in a huge way that captivates her attention.
7. There is a lack of romance between Clark and Lois. It feels forced and unnatural. There is no chemistry or spark. In all of their scenes its as if we are just supposed to accept there is a relationship there even though not enough time takes place for it to occur. Believe me, I don’t want another “Can you read my mind?” monologue but there needs to be something.
8. Although the battle scenes with Zod and his goons are cool, you never get the impression that Superman is worried about what is going on around him. It’s a lot of fighting but very little saving.
9. Zod makes the mistake of telling Superman his overall plan. Why? In a movie that is supposed to be more grounded and realistic, we get the cliche villain mistake.
10. Superman kissing Lois in the middle of a decimated Metropolis.
11. Superman snapping Zod’s neck was an unnecessary means to an end. Yes, Snyder showed the event to enforce why it would never happen again. BUT, in the Justice League Snyder Cut, he watches on as Aquaman turns Steppenwolf into a shish kabob right before Wonder Woman cuts off his head. Obviously, Snyder never read Action Comics #775, and that is the problem with this film. It’s a Superman movie, without a recognizable Superman.
12. Clark Kent going to the Daily Planet at the end of the movie feels like a miss because he doesn’t have that human interaction to make Metropolis feel like his home to protect.

Superman Comic Writer Mark Waid Makes Some Great Points to Consider

If you haven’t read Mark Waid’s thoughts on the movie, you can find them here. I don’t agree with everything he has to say, but he makes some valid points when looking at the movie in its entirety. Interestingly, some of Waid’s Superman story called Birthright is woven into the movie.

Overall, this film feels more like an Elseworlds comic or something out of Injustice (the series that had Superman kill Joker). It was heartfelt or inspiring. It was cold and stale. I still feel like after all these years the film still deserves the C+ rating.