Man of Steel: reviews round-up It's an action-stacked road to the petrol-blue suit, kicking off with three crises in a row (in short: planet, oil rig, school bus). There's also a generous number of father figures. Unfortunately, this means a lot of samey-sounding scenes of Clark being lectured on history, humanity, destiny, morality... Todd Gilchrist, The Verge In a culture that seems as eager to tear down heroes as it is to build them up, it feels like there's no longer a comfortable place for the pure idealism of Richard Donner's 1978 Superman, nor even the nostalgic romanticism of Bryan Singer's flawed but underrated Superman Returns. Scott Foundas, Variety "So far, so gloomy, with little of the genuine wonderment the very name "Superman" calls to mind. Cavill is also the most dour and brooding, lacking even the sardonic self-amusement of Christian Bale in Bruce Wayne mode. Like its lead, Snyder's entire movie seems afraid to crack a smile. Andrew Pulver, The Guardian Clark Kent - played by Henry Cavill with a permanent little worry-frown in the middle of his forehead - is revealed as a rootless drifter, blundering from one low-paid job to another in a frustrating battle to keep his taunters unbattered, his rescuees oblivious, and his inner demons placated. Dan Jolin, Empire The robust and clearly confident Zack Snyder was certainly a good choice to call action on this; it is just what you'd expect of a Superman movie from the guy who made Watchmen. A man, appropriately, whose favourite word is "awesome..." Closely followed by "super-awesome.""