Man Of Steel hits DVD and Blu-Ray in the UK next week and has already arrived in America, making this the perfect time to look back objectively at one of the summers divisive films. Its box office was large, if not quite what Warner Bros. were expecting, while audiences and critics were polarised. Personally I found the film a big disappointment after some brilliant early trailers and enticing promises from all involved, but waited on casting full judgement until Id watched the film a second time. Now I have, I can sit comfortably in my initial reaction; Man Of Steel is a muddled film of completely crossed purposes. As Batman and Supermans cinematic future seem intrinsically link for the foreseeable future, now is a good time to take stock and compare their respective modern reboots. In doing so one thing is clear; Batman Begins is much, much better. Heres nine reasons why (and one where Man Of Steel actually wins some points back).
The One Why It Isnt - Theres No Annoying Extras
Im a massive fan of Christopher Nolans Dark Knight Trilogy and am always happy to overlook (or in some cases flat out defend) some of the more common criticisms. But every single time I watch Batman Begins (the problem is less prominent in the later films, assumedly because there was less studio pressure to play down to the audience) I can't help but wince at the Water Mains Controllers. Delivering poorly written lines melodramatically, their sole purpose is to reiterate the key elements of the plot. Over and over again. And once more in case you weren't up to speed. Man Of Steel, thankfully, has no such standout extras. However, that may be a silver lining to a very black cloud, as Ill discuss next...