For about 20 years, Ray Keating wrote a weekly column - a short time with the New York City Tribune, more than 11 years with Newsday, another seven years with Long Island Business News, plus another year-and-a-half with RealClearMarkets.com. As an economist, Keating also pens an assortment of analyses each week. With the Keating Files, he decided to expand his efforts with regular commentary touching on a broad range of issues, written by himself and an assortment of talented contributors and columnists. So, here goes...

Friday, March 25, 2016

Review, or Reminder, on “Man of Steel”

by Ray Keating

(Warning: Includes what some might consider “spoilers.”)

Man of Steel: 5 stars out of 5

If you’re going to the new “Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice” movie, you should have seen “Man of Steel” (2013). If not, grab the Blue-Ray, DVD or digital version, and give it a whirl. You won’t be sorry. In fact, even if you saw “Man of Steel,” another viewing is in order.

While “Man of Steel” has received some real flak on the Internet (I know, go figure, cranky people complaining on the Internet), it quite simply ranks among the top superhero movies of all time. And director Zack Snyder and Henry Cavill in the lead role created the best Superman on film. It’s not even close.

From the opening on the dying planet of Krypton to the concluding brawl between Superman and General Zod (Michael Shannon) in, above and around Metropolis, “Man of Steel” is visually fascinating and stunning.

But thankfully, there’s much more to the film than off-the-charts special effects. In nearly two-and-a-half hours, the moviegoer gets to know key points about who the characters are, in particular, Clark Kent/Superman/Kal-El, his Earth parents Jonathan (Kevin Costner) and Martha (Diane Lane) Kent, and his Kryptonian father, Jor-El (Russell Crowe).

Jor-El sends Kal-El to Earth to both save his son from the dying Krypton, but also as a way to save both humans and Kryptonians.

Meanwhile, Jonathan understands that Clark is bound to change the world with his incredible powers, but also knows that he will face opposition. Jonathan is concerned about properly forming his son’s character, so that he is prepared for the inevitable, formidable challenges, and ready to do the right thing. In doing so, Jonathan makes some questionable decisions himself, but we see that it’s all done for his son.

It turns out that as Superman, Clark does work to help others in truly selfless ways. The parallels to Jesus are present, and sometimes less than subtle.

In one powerful moment, after Zod arrives seeking Kal-El and taking on Earth, Clark still has not been revealed to the world. He stops in at a church, looking for insight and guidance. As Clark wrestles with his decision, in the background is a stained glass portrait of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. Clark tells the priest or pastor that Zod cannot be trusted, but he is not sure about the people of Earth either. As Clark goes to leave, the priest/pastor advises: “Sometimes you have to take a leap of faith first. The trust part comes later.”

Clark takes that leap of faith, surrenders to mankind, and then, on behalf of humanity, he must go to war with General Zod and his soldiers.

By the way, in the midst of the subsequent super-powered conflict, Snyder presents a rather stirring portrait of those serving in the U.S. military, who despite being obviously outgunned, if you will, they stand firm, and bravely fight.  

Like any war, the fight is brutal, with damage unfortunately falling even on to noncombatants. And in the end, yes, Superman is forced to take a life. This act has led to much of the criticism of “Man of Steel.” But the compelling, powerful point is that Superman had no choice. He does not want to kill, but given that innocent lives are at stake, he makes the only choice possible with great reluctance. And after doing so, he weeps.

Yes, “Man of Steel” serves up great special effects and plenty of excitement, but in the end, its power lies in exploring the character of the person who is Kal-El, Clark Kent and Superman.

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Mr. Keating is an economist and novelist who writes on a wide range of topics. His Pastor Stephen Grant novels have received considerable acclaim, including The River: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel being a finalist for KFUO radio’s Book of the Year 2014, and Murderer’s Row: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel winning Book of the Year 2015.

The Pastor Stephen Grant Novels are available at Amazon…





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