First Batch of Reviews Are In for MAN OF STEEL

The press embargo has lifted! The first batch of reviews for Man Of Steel are finally in. Mild spoilers ahead. Tread with extreme caution.

By PentoReality - Jun 10, 2013 08:06 PM EST

Filed Under: Man of Steel

Man Of Steel opens this friday, and now the first batch of reviews are in for the movie, and it is looking great so far. Read on and sound off below.

The Hollywood Reporter

To the oft-asked question of whether or not the world is really starving for yet another superhero origin story, Man of Steel simply responds by serving up what could be as much spectacle and action — minute-by-minute, frame-by-frame — as any movie anyone could think of. Zack Snyder’s huge, backstory-heavy extravaganza is a rehab job that perhaps didn’t cry out to be done but proves so overwhelmingly insistent in its size and strength that it’s hard not to give in. Warner Bros.’ new tentpole should remain firmly planted around the world for much of the summer.

Super Hero Hype

Man of Steel is great. It takes stories that we all thought we knew and looks at them through a different prism, creating a solid superhero story that stands apart from all of the others. Though the acting is solid all around, many of the characters don't naturally fit in, but when the film offers amazing fights and comic book levels of destruction, most fans won't mind that at all.

Rating: 8 / 10

ScreenCrush

‘Man of Steel’ isn’t perfect. There’s an emotional beat that is supposed to have resonance, but you’ll probably be thinking, “who’s she?” (The answer, undoubtedly, is “someone whose earlier scenes got cut out.”) There’s also a dopey decision that a character makes, a beat that only an actor of Kevin Costner‘s quality can save. Also, the world-building in ‘Man of Steel’ is so good that the movie lends itself to some hardcore nitpicking of a “how did they know English?” variety. But when your scrutiny has to go that deep, you know you have a solid blockbuster on your hands.

9/10

Crave Online

Man of Steel is a movie we need right now, and while normally such blanket statements refer to films of great portent or contemporary significance, I’m not convinced that Man of Steel is either of those things, not really. It’s a remarkable piece of popcorn entertainment with a few lofty issues on its mind that are simply expressed beautifully throughout the film. It’s an impressive retelling of a story that is generations old, and that somehow feels fresh here, without sacrificing the greatness that began with Action Comics #1. It could, to use the common parlance, be referred to as “awesome.” But awesome no longer means “awesome.” Awesome means “strikingly cool.” Man of Steel is awesome in that it inspires a sense of genuine awe. That, dear readers, is something of value by its lonesome.

9.5/10

Digital Spy UK

Man of Steel is not quite the perfect movie. Snyder's deployment of handheld camerawork works to create an intimacy between viewer and action, but this aesthetic jars horrendously with the 3D conversion (see in 2D if you can). Character loses focus in favor of action in the final third and there are also shades of Clark's character that go unexplored (for instance his split identity and deeper relationship with Lois). These threads are left tantalisingly open for a sequel, though. The foundations are firmly in place for what could be exciting further adventures of Superman.

4/5 stars

Ain't It Cool News

MAN OF STEEL is the Superman movie we have been waiting for. Full of action, emotion, and spectacle, this is Zack Snyder’s finest work so far, and I prefer David Goyer’s work here to his work on Nolan’s Batman films. This was the harder job, by far – to make Superman relevant again, and to give him life beyond the page. It is true to the comics, to the films, to everything we love about this character. When I dreamed of heroes as a child, dreamed of taking flight, I saw this movie in my mind’s eye. Zack Snyder has pulled from the dreams of millions of fans, and brought us something to cheer for. MAN OF STEEL soars on the winds of those visions. I imagine fans will lose their damn minds over this movie, and deservedly so. What the future holds for DC on film, I cannot know, but MAN OF STEEL lays the foundations for something quite extraordinary. I can’t wait to see what’s next.

SlashFilm

Yes, folks, Man of Steel delivers. It’s a phenomenal film and an even better set up for what we hope is a huge, DC Universe.

8.5/10

Movies.com

Man of Steel has a whole ton of pride, as do both its heroes and villains. Pride in where they came from and how its shaped them. The film is very much about what it means to be home and feel home, and even though it's about an alien man who flies through the air shooting lasers out of his eyes, there's nothing you won't be able to relate to in this.

The action is also pretty boss and fairly frequent (the Smallville sequence alone is loud and meaty), and there are some moments that are easily comparable to the best stuff from any recent superhero movie (including The Avengers). But where Man of Steel really succeeds is in its power to connect, emotionally and spiritually, with its audience. That's a rare trait for a giant movie like this with an incredible amount riding on its sucess, but that's what also makes it the best Superman movie to date.

Follow @PentoReality

MAN OF STEEL Director Zack Snyder Defends Clark Kent's Decision To Allow His Father To Die In The Movie

Recommended For You:

MAN OF STEEL Storyboard Artist Remarks on a Polarizing Detail Featured During The Final Battle

DISCLAIMER: ComicBookMovie.com is protected under the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) and... [MORE]

ComicBookMovie.com, and/or the user who contributed this post, may earn commissions or revenue through clicks or purchases made through any third-party links contained within the content above.

Do you have what it takes to write for us?

Want to contribute?

518 Comments

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ...

Zessus - 6/10/2013, 8:43 PM

W00000T!!!!!

BlackPhillip - 6/10/2013, 8:43 PM

Sounds good. However, over at Metacritic, it's currently sitting at 60. Yikes!

SuperSam - 6/10/2013, 8:46 PM

NICE!!!

Peacefront - 6/10/2013, 8:47 PM

I knew this movie would own! Especially in the action department! http://howmuchaction.blogspot.com/ tells you how much action is in comic book movies

whoa123 - 6/10/2013, 8:48 PM

It's currently at 86% at RT with 8 fresh reviews and 1 rotten. Looking good to me. Can't wait to watch this!

murdy511 - 6/10/2013, 8:52 PM

@TheHeat: I wouldn't put too much stock in Metacritic at the moment. The Avengers was a great superhero movie and it only has a 69 on the site.

TheYoungMan - 6/10/2013, 8:52 PM

@TheHeat 60 on Metacritic? Damn, that's almost as low as Thor.

REDSTORM - 6/10/2013, 8:53 PM

Hahah R.I.P. Little Theon

Zessus - 6/10/2013, 8:56 PM

90% at RT now

Supes17 - 6/10/2013, 8:57 PM

I hope the score gets higher. Can't be as bad as Iron Man 3

PsychoManiacJacky - 6/10/2013, 8:59 PM

The film is not...supposed to be good at all. Why...

RextheKing - 6/10/2013, 9:08 PM

On RT the average rating is a 7.6, which is around where Iron Man 3 started at when the embargo was lifted for it(like most movies, the rating only went down from there). So I'll say by the time all the reviews are end, on RT, Man of Steel will lye around 75-79% with an average rating around 6.5-7.

Whiteandgold - 6/10/2013, 9:11 PM

YESYESYES!! It is a good day to be a DC and Sony fanboy!!

EdgyOutsider - 6/10/2013, 9:12 PM

This being a Zack Snyder movie, no matter how good the hack makes it, I knew he would sacrifice character for action.

Zessus - 6/10/2013, 9:12 PM

@Dev 7, dude, there's like only 2 negative reviews out there, at least right now. Stop kidding yourself

Spideyguy94 - 6/10/2013, 9:14 PM

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so pumped for Friday it's beyond ridiculous.

Gnyah123 - 6/10/2013, 9:15 PM

can we all pray that nothing bad happens thursday evening or thursday night for the early screening and midnight screening for this movie...i dont want another TDKR shooting like last year...that wud be sad..
i hope nothing happens...just had a college shooting in santa monica so pray

TheDARKestKNIGHT - 6/10/2013, 9:15 PM

Rotten tomatoes has it at a 90%

But haters gone hate so....

Howlett - 6/10/2013, 9:25 PM

I think my head will explode O_o

C17Swampy - 6/10/2013, 9:26 PM

Nice to see this film doing well so far. Its sad though to see a flame war....

Banner - 6/10/2013, 9:26 PM

ThePresidentGaming - 6/10/2013, 9:28 PM

Digital Spy UK can go [frick] themselves.

Supes17 - 6/10/2013, 9:29 PM

@RextheKing
i predicted the same

Banner - 6/10/2013, 9:33 PM

I don't give a rats ass about the so called movie critics, I will watch a movie because I like it not because they said they like it or hate it but because I like it.

Dick - 6/10/2013, 9:34 PM

@banner salutes! I never rely on critics to watch a movie anyway.

Dick - 6/10/2013, 9:38 PM

I believe the ones who gave a negative rating are expecting a Christopher Reeve Superman from Zack Snyder haha well Fcuk you! who give's a sh*t about a campy movie anyway? not in this era!

Howlett - 6/10/2013, 9:40 PM

@sweeper A modern take on Superman is the way to go, look at Returns and what happened to it?

murdy511 - 6/10/2013, 9:43 PM

@Sweeper I agree man. The Variety review relied too much on comparisons to the Donner Superman and even older incarnations.

superotherside - 6/10/2013, 9:46 PM

Cool. Can't wait to see it.

TayDee - 6/10/2013, 9:47 PM

Can we have at least one damn article in which both companies are being compared? This is about Superman, leave Iron Man out of it.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ...

Related Headlines

Man of Steel

MAN OF STEEL Director Zack Snyder Defends Clark Kent's Decision To Allow His Father To Die In The Movie

JoshWilding

40 mins ago

Action

Henry Cavill Kills A Lot Of Nazis In First THE MINISTRY OF UNGENTLEMANLY WARFARE Trailer

MarkCassidy

Jan 30, 2024 04:01 PM

Sci-Fi

Chad Stahelski's Next Project Will Be HIGHLANDER Starring MAN OF STEEL's Henry Cavill

MarkCassidy

Jan 17, 2024 07:01 PM

Related Headlines

Man of Steel

MAN OF STEEL Director Zack Snyder Defends Clark Kent's Decision To Allow His Father To Die In The Movie

JoshWilding

40 mins ago

Action

Henry Cavill Kills A Lot Of Nazis In First THE MINISTRY OF UNGENTLEMANLY WARFARE Trailer

MarkCassidy

Jan 30, 2024 04:01 PM

Sci-Fi

Chad Stahelski's Next Project Will Be HIGHLANDER Starring MAN OF STEEL's Henry Cavill

MarkCassidy

Jan 17, 2024 07:01 PM

DC Studios

The DCEU Is At An End! Ranking All 15 Movies From MAN OF STEEL To AQUAMAN AND THE LOST KINGDOM

MarkCassidy

Dec 29, 2023 02:12 PM

Man of Steel

MAN OF STEEL Storyboard Artist Remarks on a Polarizing Detail Featured During The Final Battle

JonathanDan

Oct 05, 2023 12:10 PM

Man of Steel

Transformers

TRANSFORMERS ONE: New Character Posters Offer A Closer Look At The Movie's Cartoonish Lead Robots

JoshWilding

1 hour ago

Watchmen

Zack Snyder Wanted Tom Cruise To Play Ozymandias In WATCHMEN - But He Was More Interested In Rorschach!

MarkCassidy

1 hour ago

Latest Headlines

Man of Steel

MAN OF STEEL Director Zack Snyder Defends Clark Kent's Decision To Allow His Father To Die In The Movie

JoshWilding

40 mins ago

Transformers

TRANSFORMERS ONE: New Character Posters Offer A Closer Look At The Movie's Cartoonish Lead Robots

JoshWilding

1 hour ago

Watchmen

Zack Snyder Wanted Tom Cruise To Play Ozymandias In WATCHMEN - But He Was More Interested In Rorschach!

MarkCassidy

1 hour ago

Horror

ABIGAIL: Was That... [Spoiler]? Find Out What Happens In Radio Silence's Ballerina Vampire Movie

MarkCassidy

1 hour ago

Mad Max

FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA Stills Highlight Anya Taylor-Joy And Chris Hemsworth's Respective Transformations

JoshWilding

2 hours ago

She-Hulk

SHE-HULK Star Tatiana Maslany On Dealing With Sexist Fans And Her Comments About "Out Of Touch" Bob Iger

JoshWilding

4 hours ago

Hot Headlines

113 comments

MADAME WEB Star Sydney Sweeney Responds To Producer Who Said "She's Not Pretty, She Can't Act"

MarkCassidy

1 day ago EST

107 comments

Leonardo DiCaprio Was In Talks To Play Lex Luthor In BVS; Gave Zack Snyder JUSTICE LEAGUE Idea

MarkCassidy

1 day ago EST

95 comments

REBEL MOON - PART TWO: THE SCARGIVER's Rotten Tomatoes Score (And It's Zack Snyder's Worst-Reviewed Movie Yet)

JoshWilding

21 hours ago EST

91 comments

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE: Fans Believe Taylor Swift Has Confirmed MCU Role On THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT Album

JoshWilding

20 hours ago EST

83 comments

More Sci-Fi & Fantasy ►

TRANSFORMERS ONE Character Posters Highlight The Movie's Divisive Animation Style

More Cartoons & Animated ►

Telltale Games Shares Four New Screenshots From THE WOLF AMONG US 2

More Anime & Manga ►

ABIGAIL Spoilers: Find Out What Happens - And Who Shows Up - In New Horror Comedy

More Horror ►

JAMES BOND: Henry Cavill Isn't Closing The Door On Playing 007; Maybe I'm Too Old Now. Maybe I'm Not...

More Action Movies & TV ►

SMACKDOWN Sees Tama Tonga Leave Kevin Owens Bleeding As Cody Rhodes' First Challenger Is Revealed

More Pro Wrestling ►

REBEL MOON - PART 2: THE SCARGIVER Spoilers - Who Lives, Who Dies... Who Cares?

More Sci-Fi & Fantasy ►

More Cartoons & Animated ►

More Anime & Manga ►

More Horror ►

More Action Movies & TV ►

More Pro Wrestling ►

First Batch of Reviews Are In for MAN OF STEEL

The press embargo has lifted! The first batch of reviews for Man Of Steel are finally in. Mild spoilers ahead. Tread with extreme caution.

MAN OF STEEL Director Zack Snyder Defends Clark Kent's Decision To Allow His Father To Die In The Movie

MAN OF STEEL Storyboard Artist Remarks on a Polarizing Detail Featured During The Final Battle

MAN OF STEEL Director Zack Snyder Defends Clark Kent's Decision To Allow His Father To Die In The Movie

Henry Cavill Kills A Lot Of Nazis In First THE MINISTRY OF UNGENTLEMANLY WARFARE Trailer

Chad Stahelski's Next Project Will Be HIGHLANDER Starring MAN OF STEEL's Henry Cavill

MAN OF STEEL Director Zack Snyder Defends Clark Kent's Decision To Allow His Father To Die In The Movie

Henry Cavill Kills A Lot Of Nazis In First THE MINISTRY OF UNGENTLEMANLY WARFARE Trailer

Chad Stahelski's Next Project Will Be HIGHLANDER Starring MAN OF STEEL's Henry Cavill

The DCEU Is At An End! Ranking All 15 Movies From MAN OF STEEL To AQUAMAN AND THE LOST KINGDOM

MAN OF STEEL Storyboard Artist Remarks on a Polarizing Detail Featured During The Final Battle

MAN OF STEEL Producer David S. Goyer Says WB Pushed Them To Compete With Marvel: "We Need Our MCU"

Popular Headlines

CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD Happy Meal Toys Reveal A First Look At MCU’s Take On Red Hulk

DEADPOOL AND WOLVERINE Theatre Standee Gives Us A New Live-Action Look At Logan And Wade Wilson

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE: Fans Believe Taylor Swift Has Confirmed MCU Role On THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT Album

MCU Rumor Roundup: AVENGERS 5 Shoot Date, X-MEN Synopsis, Natalia Tena's Role, & More - Possible SPOILERS

MCU Rumor Roundup: Updates On THE FANTASTIC FOUR's Silver Surfer Twist, AVENGERS 5, BLADE, And More

MAN OF STEEL Director Zack Snyder Defends Clark Kent's Decision To Allow His Father To Die In The Movie

TRANSFORMERS ONE: New Character Posters Offer A Closer Look At The Movie's Cartoonish Lead Robots

Zack Snyder Wanted Tom Cruise To Play Ozymandias In WATCHMEN - But He Was More Interested In Rorschach!

MAN OF STEEL Director Zack Snyder Defends Clark Kent's Decision To Allow His Father To Die In The Movie

TRANSFORMERS ONE: New Character Posters Offer A Closer Look At The Movie's Cartoonish Lead Robots

Zack Snyder Wanted Tom Cruise To Play Ozymandias In WATCHMEN - But He Was More Interested In Rorschach!

ABIGAIL: Was That... [Spoiler]? Find Out What Happens In Radio Silence's Ballerina Vampire Movie

FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA Stills Highlight Anya Taylor-Joy And Chris Hemsworth's Respective Transformations

SHE-HULK Star Tatiana Maslany On Dealing With Sexist Fans And Her Comments About "Out Of Touch" Bob Iger

Hot Headlines

MADAME WEB Star Sydney Sweeney Responds To Producer Who Said "She's Not Pretty, She Can't Act"

Leonardo DiCaprio Was In Talks To Play Lex Luthor In BVS; Gave Zack Snyder JUSTICE LEAGUE Idea

REBEL MOON - PART TWO: THE SCARGIVER's Rotten Tomatoes Score (And It's Zack Snyder's Worst-Reviewed Movie Yet)

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE: Fans Believe Taylor Swift Has Confirmed MCU Role On THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT Album

BATMAN v SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE Director Zack Snyder FINALLY Explains The Infamous "Martha!" Scene

Sci-Fi & Fantasy

ALIEN TV Series Adds Sandra Yi Sencindiver As Show's Place In Franchise's Timeline Is Possibly Revealed

ALIENS VS. AVENGERS: It's A Battle Between The Extraterrestrial And Earth's Mightiest Heroes In New Crossover

FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA Stills Showcase Anya Taylor-Joy's Road Warrior And Chris Hemsworth's Dementus

Cartoons & Animated Features

TRANSFORMERS ONE Character Posters Highlight The Movie's Divisive Animation Style

SNOW WHITE Rumored Plot Details May Clear Up Seven Dwarfs/Seven Bandits Confusion

TRANSFORMERS ONE Trailer Reveals The Origins Of Optimus Prime And Megatron

Gaming

Telltale Games Shares Four New Screenshots From THE WOLF AMONG US 2

STELLAR BLADE Releases New Song And Music Video By K-Pop Star Bibi

DIABLO Lead Rod Fergusson On The Possibility Of A TV Series Adaptation

Anime & Manga

SPY X FAMILY CODE: WHITE Hits North America Theaters Today

MY HERO ACADEMIA: MEMORIES English Dub Streams Coming To Crunchyroll This Weekend

Studio Ghibli's SPIRITED AWAY Is Returning To U.S. Theaters This Month

Horror

ABIGAIL Spoilers: Find Out What Happens - And Who Shows Up - In New Horror Comedy

TRAP: First Trailer For M. Night Shyamalan's Latest Spoils The Big Twist

IMMACULATE Star Sydney Sweeney Has Been Slammed By A Hollywood Producer: "She's Not Pretty, She Can't Act"

Action Movies & TV

JAMES BOND: Henry Cavill Isn't Closing The Door On Playing 007; "Maybe I'm Too Old Now. Maybe I'm Not..."

Alex Garland's CIVIL WAR Is The #1 Movie In North America- Opens To $25.7M

THE ACCOUNTANT 2 Adds Four More Actors Including JURASSIC WORLD Star Daniella Pineda

Pro Wrestling & MMA News

SMACKDOWN Sees Tama Tonga Leave Kevin Owens Bleeding As Cody Rhodes' First Challenger Is Revealed

The Undertaker Talks Relationship With The Rock Following WRESTLEMANIA Clash As Final Boss Vows Revenge

Damian Priest Reflects On How It Felt To Cash In His Money In The Bank Briefcase At WRESTLEMANIA

Sci-Fi & Fantasy

REBEL MOON - PART 2: THE SCARGIVER Spoilers - Who Lives, Who Dies... Who Cares?

ALIEN TV Series Adds Sandra Yi Sencindiver As Show's Place In Franchise's Timeline Is Possibly Revealed

ALIENS VS. AVENGERS: It's A Battle Between The Extraterrestrial And Earth's Mightiest Heroes In New Crossover

FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA Stills Showcase Anya Taylor-Joy's Road Warrior And Chris Hemsworth's Dementus

THE ACOLYTE Has Reportedly Added SUPERGIRL Star David Harewood In A Mystery Role

SNOW WHITE Rumors May Clear Up "Seven Dwarfs" Confusion; Rachel Zegler's Princess Will Be "More Independent"

Cartoons & Animated Features

TRANSFORMERS ONE Character Posters Highlight The Movie's Divisive Animation Style

SNOW WHITE Rumored Plot Details May Clear Up Seven Dwarfs/Seven Bandits Confusion

TRANSFORMERS ONE Trailer Reveals The Origins Of Optimus Prime And Megatron

X-MEN '97 Creative Express Interest In Bringing An X-MEN Animated Movie To Theaters

X-MEN '97 Makes A Big Change To Opening Credits; Showrunner Reveals MAN OF STEEL Inspiration For [SPOILER]

X-MEN '97 Reveals The Fate Of Professor X, The Villain Behind Genosha Attack, And Storm's Future - SPOILERS

Gaming

Telltale Games Shares Four New Screenshots From THE WOLF AMONG US 2

STELLAR BLADE Releases New Song And Music Video By K-Pop Star Bibi

DIABLO Lead Rod Fergusson On The Possibility Of A TV Series Adaptation