4. Modern Technology
Its obvious that technology has aided in the quality of the action in films today, however this doesnt make a better story. Many films today put story behind special effects and big action set pieces, but Nolan put story and character first. Yes, the old films had some corny scenes due to the fact that they simply didnt have the technology we have, and at the time they were released they werent corny at all. Man of Steel, however, spends a lot of the film making good use of technology, almost to the extent that it was suffocating. I just wanted to take a breath during the non-stop action of the second half of the film. It almost seemed like Snyder and co. simply wanted to show off what they could do with a superhero that could fly and shoot lasers from his eyes, and I hope that, now that that part is out of the way, story will trump action in the sequel. Whats fascinating is the way modern technology is used in the films. It is, essentially, a story telling device. The films exist in a world where technology has grown and grown, and so the characters within the movies have access to, and in Supermans case must oppose, new technology. Batmans arsenal of gadgets expands beyond the basics, and superman faces a military so far advanced from the early days of superhero film making. It makes for a change in style, and a change in whats accessible to the characters its enough to be intrigued in seeing what the film makers can add to each generation of superhero gadgets. It's fascinating to watch modern superheroes go up against, and use, modern technology, and is what can keep the films unique and stand out against the 80's and 90's films. However, special effects must make way for story telling, and that's where 'Man of Steel' let down in it's second half. Hopefully, they're well aware of it. 'The Avengers' used special effects to it's complete extent, and it worked. I get the feeling that, if DC choose to go in the direction they have been going, then overuse of special effects and lack of story will be more obvious, and be easier to criticise. The right mix of special effects and story and DC could find themselves looking down the ladder at Marvel, with the likes of Green Lantern and Wonder Woman just waiting for the opportunity to shine on the big screen.