The Real Steel: Superman Trailer Analysis

I was at work when the new Man of Steel trailer was released and couldn’t wait to get home to watch it. My buddy Bryan called me during my lunch break to tell me about it and wanted my thoughts regarding a couple of other movies. Since I hadn’t seen the new Man of Steel trailer yet, I couldn’t really say anything. Now that I’ve seen it a couple of times (more like 27 times), I do have some thoughts on it.

After watching it for the first time, I was speechless. There are so many elements going on, and it has an entirely different tone from any other Superman movie ever made. I had to just gather my thoughts for a while in order to make them coherent. In short, it’s amazing.

I have tons of thoughts on the potential of the movie and where it could go and how it may lead into the Justice League movie in 2015. I will only mention a few thoughts on the recent Man of Steel trailer.

A Gift and A Curse

Wait! There’s a downside to Superman’s superpowers? It’s rarely ever been explored with a serious and grounded approach, but it seems like this movie will do just that. How does a child with superhuman abilities handle growing up? It’s not like going through puberty. Furthermore, how do parents handle rising a child with superpowers? It’s clear the Kent parents will play a prominent role in this film. The trailer seems to give two hints as to this. We see Jonathan Kent (Kevin Costner) playing the protective father, telling Clark, “You have to keep this side of yourself a secret.” Later, Martha Kent (Diana Lane) acting as Clark’s anchor in the world, says, “Listen to my voice. Pretend it’s an island. Can you see it?”

Uncertainty and Loneliness

Superman has usually been portrayed as a black and white character. He knows right from wrong and always does what’s right. In Bryan Singer’s 2006 Superman Returns he made a failed attempt to have Superman struggle with Lois Lane’s new relationship. Really? That’s the best you could do? Singer made Lois’ character so angry at Superman it was difficult to like her.

In a new approach, Zack Snyder’s film shows that it hasn’t been always cut and dry for Superman. Imagine how lonely it must’ve been growing up, trying to find an identity, realizing you’re an alien from another plant that blew up, and you’re adopted to boot. How does a person work through all those issues while maintaining a sense of right and wrong?

We have Lift-off

The shot of Superman preparing to take flight with the stirring of the snow and rocks is a nice artistic flourish on how Superman interacts with the environment. Snyder has always been great with visual effects (300, Watchmen) and it’ll be interesting to see what new elements he brings to his big budget film.

Krypton

No other Superman film has emphasized much of Superman’s home plant, Krypton, or his biological parents. I’m guessing Krypton will be featured more in this film. If you’re going to cast Russell Crowe as Jor-El (Superman’s biological father), I’m sure it’ll more than cameo.

This is good news. Shouldn’t we feel something when a plant filled with people blows up? How would we feel if Earth blew up and we were the only survivor? These are legitimate questions and questions worth exploring.

The Modern World

At the end of the trailer, Superman says, “My dad was convinced the world would reject me.” Superman has always been portrayed as a celebrated and beloved superhero. In reality, however, how would we feel knowing that there is a being on our earth with superhuman powers? Wouldn’t that make you a little nervous? How do we know we could trust him? Why would he want to protect us? What are his motives? What does he want?

Superman in the modern (real) world wouldn’t be celebrated or beloved but feared. It’ll be interesting to see how he deals with an enemy that threatens earth while the earth views him as a threat.

Conclusion

I’m excited for the film. I’m sure they’ll be great action sequences, but it’s also the character drama involved that gives the film substances and makes it much more compelling. June can’t come quickly enough.