There are two sides to Man of Steel. There's the Christopher Nolan side and the Zack Snyder side. Although they fit together pretty well for the most part, at some points, things get a little chaotic. The movie has its emotional moments, such as Kal-El's departure from Krypton and the tornado scene. These, coupled with the thoughtful dialogue from Jor-El and Jonathan Kent, really help draw out the emotional side of Superman that was never found in previous adaptions. These moments show us how far superhero movies have gone. From the other side, we are reminded of how far technology has gone. Liquid metal displays are the highlight of the film. However, we are also treated to an inordinate amount of explosions and just destruction in general. The fights get overwhelming and frenetic at times. Its all rather trying on the head. The story is well thought out and arranged. Some background scenes are spread out throughout the film so as to slowly create a backdrop for Superman's journey. Towards the end however, the pacing becomes a little rushed. Things just happen and occasionally, dramatic and important plot points are whisked through and their importance get lost. Auditory wise, this is probably the loudest movie I have ever experienced. Overall, a relatively entertaining and thrilling experience that fit surprisingly well into this Father's Day weekend.

Quite a spectacle. The entire film is excellently acted and the story covers enough to be interesting, but does not stretch the timeline too far, allowing the film to explore this single, dramatic period in American history. There is more tension than drama that fills the movie, and other than a single scene set in the House of Representatives, I did not truly feel any real moments of insurmountable excitement. The score by John Williams is also thoroughly unremarkable, although it does, in a way, reflect the calmness that Lincoln maintains. Overall, a fine film, but lacks the epicness and grandeur that one would expect from a film on such a monumental piece of history.