Man of Steel: 5 Reasons It Could Transcend The Comic Book Movie Genre

4. Themes The struggle of Superman's two fathers has been explored before, but never before to the extent it appears to have played a main role in shaping Man of Steel from conception to release. Nature versus nurture is a controversial debate in our everyday society, and this weighs heavily on Henry Cavill's Superman as he wrestles with his birth father Jor-El's message to "test his limits" and his ability to "save all of them", with his adoptive father Jonathan Kent's tender warning to "keep secret" his incredible powers lest the world find out and persecute him for it. This internal battle inside a young Clark Kent shines through in a trailer where Clark asks if, instead of reveal his powers to save people, he let them die? To which Pa Kent replies, "maybe". Contrast this with Jor-El's departing message to baby Kal that he will "be a God to them", and Man of Steel's biggest battles may not be taking place in downtown Metropolis or Main Street of Smallville, but raging inside Superman's head.