Man of Steel (2013)
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A superpowered alien from the planet Krypton must decide whether to protect humanity or allow his own people to reclaim Earth.
The story
After the destruction of his home planet, Krypton, the infant Kal-El is sent to Earth, where he is raised by the Kents in Kansas. As he grows older, he discovers he possesses immense superhuman abilities. While living a dual life as a reporter and a secret protector, he is forced into the spotlight when a threat from his past emerges. When General Zod and his followers are released from the Phantom Zone, they arrive on Earth seeking the Kryptonian genetic codex. Clark must navigate his identity as a hero while confronting the military and the looming threat of Zod's plan to transform Earth into a new Krypton.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
The planet Krypton is destroyed after the Council ignores warnings of scientist Jor-El, who sends his son Kal-El to Earth. Raised in Kansas by the Kents, Clark develops powers from Earth's yellow sun. He lives as a reporter for the Daily Planet while secretly helping others. When a Kryptonian scout ship is found in the Arctic, Clark learns of his origins. This triggers the arrival of General Zod and his followers from the Phantom Zone. Zod demands Clark's surrender to use the genetic codex to repopulate Krypton, which would destroy humanity. After a series of confrontations, Zod deploys a 'World Engine' to transform Earth. Clark, now known as Superman, destroys the device while the military engages Zod's forces. A final, catastrophic battle in Metropolis ends with Clark killing Zod to save a family. Afterward, Clark works as a reporter alongside Lois Lane while acting as a public protector.
- First release year
- 2013
- Runtime (minutes)
- 143
- Production countries
- United States; United Kingdom
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Zack Snyder
- Writers
- David S. Goyer · screenplay; David S. Goyer · story; Christopher Nolan · story
- Cast and characters
- Henry Cavill · Kal-El / Clark Kent; Amy Adams · Lois Lane; Michael Shannon · General Zod; Kevin Costner · Jonathan Kent; Diane Lane · Martha Kent; Laurence Fishburne · Perry White; Antje Traue · Faora-Ul; Ayelet Zurer · Lara Lor-Van
- Genres
- superhero; science fiction; action; drama
- Themes
- religious allegory; sacrifice; identity; eugenics
- Tone and mood
- dark; epic
- Setting
- Earth (including Kansas and Metropolis) and the planet Krypton.
- Premise and plot tags
- origin story; alien invasion; superhero
- Source material / true-story basis
- DC Comics
- Reception
- The film received mixed reviews from critics but was a commercial success, praised for its visuals and action while criticized for its dark tone.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 56% · scale: percentage; Metacritic · score: 55 · scale: 100 · review count: 47
- Production trivia
- The film's marketing included a 'pre-release' period where the website was replaced by 'deep space radio waves'.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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