Unlike the characters of Marvel Comics, DC Comics and its characters have not had as much luck on the big screen as of late. In recent memory, there have been no characters outside of Batman that have garnered the critical acclaim or made as much money as those of the Marvel films have. One character's past disappointments at the box office and with moviegoers is particuarly interesting: Superman. Despite being the original and easily the most recognizable of superheroes, a character that has endured for over 70 years, Superman has not had a truly successful film since 1980's Superman II.

Honestly, Superman is a tricky character to successfully pull-off in ANY medium, including comics. There's something about him that is damn unrelatable to people, something Batmen or the X-Men inspire much easier, which is crucial to any fictional character. The core to Superman, the key to crafting an excellent Superman story, is to appeal to his alienation. Also, it is important to showcase his unbreakable will to not only overcome his isolation and lonliness but to become better than it and to lead as a shining beacon of hope to those who feel different and alone in the world. This is what Man of Steel does, and this is why it is, to date, the greatest silver screen outing Superman has ever had.

After a straightforward yet visually spectacular retelling of the birth of Superman, or Kal-El, at the end of Krypton, which also serves as the introduction of the film's antagonist, the mad, militant Kryptonian, General Zod (Michael Shannon), we are thrust into Superman's life on Earth as Clark Kent. This right here is what I enjoyed most about the film. Instead of spending 45 minutes or more on Clark discovering his alien origins and powers, we fast forward to his life as an adult without sacrificing the essence of the character (the aforementioned lonliness). This is not only conveyed by Henry Cavill's spot-on characterization, but through several short flashbacks to the young hero's early years that illustrate his struggle to come to terms with who and what he is with the help of his adopted parents, the Kents. These vignettes were an excellent choice by director Zack Snyder. Rather than wasting any time and losing the audience, he moves us quickly through Clark's life and his realization of who he is and who he wants to be. This swift pacing is consistent throughout the film and is so pleasing and refreshing to see.

Henry Cavill is perfect as Superman/Clark Kent. Forget that he absolutely looks the part, but the way in which he portrays Clark Kent with such balance between silent desperation to fit in and an uncontrollable drive to be a guardian to those who do not and would not make room for him in the first place is simply wonderful and inspired. When he makes his transformation into Superman, Cavill's performance creates a hero that has not lost sight of the experiences that shaped him and who uses them, and the people that have left an impression on his strange life, to fuel and inform his mission to be the ultimate hero. It really is quite a beautiful and powerful performance (GASP, such a thing to say about a superhero movie!).

Of the supporting cast, Michael Shannon shines as General Zod. There is a strong element of contrast to the Superman character with his portrayal of Zod, specifically in his unfiltered and fully embraced rage. He also represents a true internal struggle to our hero, as he represents his true people. Zod wants to create a new Krypton at the expense of Earth and all of humanity, but what is the right choice for Superman to make? The home he was born on or the only one he has ever known? It makes for some powerful drama that concludes with a battle that has a very shocking conclusion, daring even given the reputation Superman has as the ultimate good guy among superheroes. I audibly gasped when it happened, which is so great!

Amy Adams gives a fairly strong showing as Lois Lane, but the character really loses steam over the course of the film. She begins as a strong and positive female character, but I feel that her strength is sacrificed towards the end of the film for an adrupt romance with Superman, which I did not entirely believe. However, I would love to see her return for sequels and develop the character even more because I defintely feel that she was a delight in the role overall.

Of course, no superhero summer movie blockbuster is worth its weight in gold without ACTION, of which there is plenty in Man of Steel. The special effects are absolutely spectacular and the fight scenes are astonishing, and they are all perfectly exemplified by the fantastic camera work. Zack Snyder really must be commended here. Not only did he more than handle the quieter character moments, but he injected every fight or visual effects scene with a palpable sense of drama and tension, especially in the final battle between Superman and Zod. Not too many directors or action films can lay claim to this anymore, and it really showcases Snyder's actual and true talent as a filmmaker.

Visually and emotionally strong effects and spot on characterizations and performances from the entire cast easily make Man of Steel the best Superman film ever made. That's a bold statement considering how revered the first two films are. Especially among comic book fans. But how could it not be when it gives us a genuinely true and unquestionably perfect Superman?