Ok, home and infront of a laptop.
First, Dave, you are flat out crazy and possibly out of your mind. Are you sure you went and saw Man of Steel and not Guy of Metal?
Lets jump right in...
The acting - I didnt have any real issue was it. When compared to other superhero movies, I wouldnt say it was the best, but it certainly held its own. I was perfectly content with the casting choices and I would have to say Henry Cavill did a good job as superman. When he had his first lines, I was nervous but they quickly went away the more he talked. Michael Shannon was an excellent Zod. Amy Adams was a decent enough Lane. Crowe was OUTSTANDING as Jor El. One could complain that there really wasnt a lot of dialog in the movie, and they would be correct...but I dont think this movie was really about in depth talks, it was about action.
The story - There is literally no reason to complain about it. Superman really only has one origin story and EVERYONE knows what it is. I liked how they started the movie at Krypton and then jumped right into his 20s & 30s with flashbacks to his childhood. It was done quite well and at the right moments which no hit to the storytelling. If I had a complain, it was how Pa Kent died....holy fucking stupid. They couldnt have thought of ANY other way? I get the why, just dont agree with the execution. Dave, I'm not sure what plotholes you're referring to...I would have to go back and watch it a second time...being that its a superhero movie, I take those with a grain of salt. I'm also quite glad they spent very little time on Clark Kent. Hes a boring character and we've seen enough of him over the years. Also, *spoiler*, having Louis already know him when he came to the Planet, added a welcome change to the movie dynamic.
The action - not much to say...it was top notch and well done. Limited shakey camera and for a change, a superman movie showed superman actually USING his powers. The end battle was a bit drawn out tho...they seemed to just have destruction for the sake of destruction.
More thoughts (spoilers) -
- I enjoyed when Superman had Zod in a headlock and had to choose between his people and earth. It was well acted and I believed the emotion behind the choice.
- I would still rail Diane Lane.
- I liked the score for the movie a lot.
- Movie should have been trimmed down to closer around 2 hours rather than 2.5.
- Good casting choices for younger Clark...they all seemed to have similarities to Cavill.
- Metropolis REALLY got fucked up....I mean really bad...I hate when movies just jump forward and dont acknowledge ANY of the destruction at the end.
My final verdict....and I cant believe I'm saying this...I would rank this up there with Batman Begins...It is not better, but on the enjoyment scale, I put it up there with it. TDK & TDKR still reign as the superhero movie kings.