Out of all the controversial and, frankly, unnecessary changes made to the Superman character in Man Of Steel, far and away the most controversial and unnecessary was having Kal-El end his climactic fight with Zod by snapping the General's neck. Yes, the movie tried to set it up as an impossible choice, but it was logistically a mess (the family Zod was threatening could easily have escaped) and there were much better ways to resolve the conflict that would teach Superman a life-changing lesson without undermining the character. But is that so different to how Terrence Stamp's version is done away with? At the climax of Superman II, Superman depowers Zod and his cronies and he and Lois Lane punch them down into the bowels of the Fortress of Solitude, never to be seen again. Certainly looks like murder, doesn't it? This obviously doesn't matter as much in the movie itself because it's made clear Superman's big concern is with saving innocents - the no killing rule is never even alluded to - but it still feels a bit odd, especially given how humanised Zod was now no more threatening than Luthor. As rubbish as Snyder's handling may be, at least Man Of Steel tried to justify it (and yes, I did just compliment Man Of Steel). Like this article? Are there any other moments Zack Snyder lifted from the classic Superman movies? Share any we missed down in the comments.
