10 Iconic Movie Moments The Director Didn't Understand
5. Zack Snyder's Rationale Behind General Zod's Death Demonstrated His Lack Of Understanding Of Its Purpose
Man of Steel is another film on this list that has a standout moment for reasons that were almost uncertainly not intended by the filmmakers. The 2013 Superman reboot was criticised for its joyless tone, passive titular character and most notably its decision to have its hero kill General Zod.
Director Zack Snyder has tried to defend the act, remarking that Clark's murder of the Kryptonian despot was necessary for him to establish his boundaries as a hero. Except, the previous devastating bout between Superman and Zod did little to showcase the former's respect for life (in a previous scene, he even callously rebuffs Zod's desperate attempt to save the Genesis chamber holding various Kryptonian foetuses).
Snyder's claim that Superman needed to learn the value of life would have held more weight if the hero was shown doing more so to save lives in a proactive fashion, rather than recklessly responding to the threat Zod and his acolytes posed to Earth.