Man of Steel - Limited Edition Steelbook [Blu-ray 3D + Blu-ray] [2013] [Region Free]

Great film Warner Bros are mad not to have made more Superman films with Henry in the role, crazy.

This is a thoroughly enjoyable super-hero film.I originally watched it at the cinema (in 3D), and subsequently on Blu-ray (both 2D and 3D). The Blu-ray quality is fantastic (excellent audio and picture). While the 3D version is fun, it doesn't add a great deal. So when I choose to re-watch this film, I opt for the 2D version.This is a re-boot of the Superman franchise, following the less than financially successful 'Superman Returns' (2006) film. While I enjoyed the 2006 film, which sought in various ways to fit-in with the Christopher Reeve's film-series, I thought that this 2013 movie was superior.This film seeks to tell the story of Superman's origins ... starting with the destruction of the planet Krypton, the orphaned baby Kal-El arriving on Earth and being raised by the Kent's in Smallville, and Clark Kent's transformation into the Man of Steel. All of this has been done before - both in film and in TV series. So it's difficult to add something fresh and imaginative. Yet the film succeeds in this regard. Rather than draw on the earlier movies (or the TV series), this film is inspired by the wealth of comic books that comprise the 70+ year history of Superman. The 'origin story' has been depicted several times in the comic books, and this film borrows from many of these. In addition, it offers new elements - especially in terms of the 'look' of Krypton, of the various space ships, etc.The story focuses on Clark Kent, and how he's forced to become a super-hero. While he's been a 'good guy' (saving people), he's never adopted a public persona as a known hero. That is, until General Zod (and a gang of criminals previously imprisoned in the Phantom Zone by Krypton's judicial system) arrives at planet Earth and demands to see Kal-El. The General is a nasty piece of work (just as he was in 'Superman 2'), and decides to re-design the Earth into a new Krypton! And so Clark must save the world ... he becomes Superman, and battles the villainous Kryptonian criminals.There's mayhem and destruction ... but just enough opportunity for Superman to gain a love interest, in reporter Lois Lane. The great city of Metropolis is ruined, and - finally - it's a battle to the death between Superman and Zod. This all happens as the world watches in awe and fright. Fortunately, Superman is victorious.This film serves as a starting point for the wider DC movie universe. The first cross-over film is 'Batman Vs Superman: Dawn of Justice' (2016) ... which will, eventually, lead into the Justice League saga. This initial installment is a serious tale, offering a complex Man of Steel. He struggles to accept his 'destiny' as Superman, although he knows it's the right thing to do. This is a super-hero who has such vast abilities - powers he himself is unaware of until he chooses to use them - that he's almost utterly separate and distinct from all other people. Yet he wants to live a normal life. He struggles with inner-demons, with the loss of his home world, and with the death of his adoptive father. But he succeeds in overcoming these, for the good of humankind.The movie is superbly directed by Zack Snyder. Yet it's not his best work (both '300' and 'Watchmen' are superior). I get the impression that he's not had complete freedom to direct, and was operating within parameters set by Nolan (producer; direct of the 'Dark Knight' trilogy). In my view, Snyder is a superior film-maker as compared to Nolan, and I wish the latter had not been involved.The acting is done well. I was particularly impressed by Henry Cavill, who not only looks the part (and is more in-keeping with the comic book depiction of Superman than any previous film incarnation), but he portrays the tragic aspects of the Man of Steel excellently. In addition to Cavill, I thought Amy Adams was perfect for the role of investigative reporter Lois Lane (brining both intelligence and beauty to the role). Finally, Zod was brilliantly played by Michael Shannon.I was also impressed by the music - overall, an excellent sound track. It sought to establish itself in a distinct manner, totally separate from the earlier films. In my view, this music elevated the film to a higher level than might otherwise have been the case.This is a movie I will re-watch every so often, as it's a good super-hero action film. Yet it's not perfect. I think that the Krypton scenes were rushed, and ought to have been extended. And I think Zod should have interacted more with the people of Earth, clearly establishing his dominance (and thereby creating more of a need for Superman). Nonetheless, it's a very good film. 8 out of 10.

Much loved film, could watch over and over.

See this film in the cinema and well it's just awesome it has masses of depth to it amazing visuals and the fight scenes between superman and his rivals are just epic giving the grand scale of how powerless humans are in comparison. If you felt let down with the other franchise aka superman returns and quest for peace this film makes up for it.Don't care about the 3D as it's something that only games should be connected to the film itself is epic that's why I bought it on blu ray. However that being said I took it to my mate's house to watch on his huge 3d screen and was impressed but another mate of mine said his was poor, this could be due to quality of them as one is worth £2000 the other £1000 plus they operate at completely different power outages that give off different frame rates and resolution.I'm not bothered about extras as I'm from the age of vhs so I was brought up with just the film high definition is the best thing about films in this day and age so I'm happy with the film being as clear as possible :).Back to the film as I said about depth you get to see krypton from another point of view and this time it looks like a whole planet rather than a crystal city in the middle of a planet. Has more of a believable take which was helped brought to life with the aid of.....OMG its Russell Crow.The story has to follow the same path way as the comic as it does giving great potential for a different perspective from the directors take on the story.Things that are different in this story are costumes they just look alien and better on so many levels. Many people have said the story between Louis lane and superman was not as good but if they make a sequel I can see this progressing. How his father Jonathan Kent dies and his father Jor-El die gives that little twist of how they die protecting a person who they love in different but the same way.Human reactions towards superman are more realistic as humans by nature always fear what can't be explained or controlled. Unlike the original films where disaster happens and superman turns up to save the day and gets praised this is more about self-preservation in how revealing himself to a world that wouldn't be ready to accept him could go wrong. So the traits of batman, the amazing Spiderman and iron man on the law and government's reaction to a crime fighter or vigilantly apply but with fear as they could all be hunted down and killed if it came to it superman well let's face it he's most peoples favourite for the reason that he can't be harmed.Right I have said all good points so guess I will add some things that bug me as it's only fair because no film is perfect will list them as points to take notes of if you watch:).*How does superman have a tailored suit for him when he's a man when he left krypton 100s of years before?*When superman takes on other krypton folk surely they would hurt him better yet surely his suit would get torn to shreds.*Superman was born and raised on a farm and takes on a small squad of highly trained warriors and punches his way through them as they do with him erm really?*The materials used on the alien ships would have radioactive properties on them from krypton's minerals and would cause superman to get funky on them or just going near them as he has never been near it since a baby.*When superman sets off a beacon how do the krypton warriors get to earth that fast when it took superman well let's say a pretty long time at the least.*The general is all about preserving the life of krypton but superman was the first born child so surely he wouldn't want to harm him.*WHY GO SAVE THE DOG INFACT WHY DIDN'T CLARK GO SAVE THE DOG!!!!*Punching holes in the alien ships shouldn't be as easy as they are carbon materials from the planet Krypton and the sun would or could react in the same way changing the molecular density.*Superman learns how to fly too fast.*And oh yeah how to stop an alien invasion sneeze on them then role the credits.Ok hope that helps like I said I loved the film but instead of praising it saying it the best film ever would be a lie. But it certainly entertained me and say bring on the next one. Thank you for reading :)