The film is mostly repetitive and bland. The first 20 minutes on Krypton are essentially useless to the overall story, especially considering the points discussed there are endlessly reiterated throughout the film, by a hologram of the same character who originally said them no less. It bothered me that there's no attempt at humor until the last thirty minutes, unfortunately by that point we have witnessed thousands of innocent people lose their lives so it doesn't seem like the right time for levity. The acting is stiff, except for Michael Shannon, who may be good, but the words written for him aren't. Amy Adams and what's-his-name as Superman just fall flat. And not since Neo in the third Matrix film has a character been so blatantly portrayed as Jesus.

There's like 40 minutes after the opening but before the plot kicks in that were actually enjoyable, especially the oil rig and school bus scenes. Plus Kostner is refreshing, playing a human being in an otherwise robotic film. Somewhere halfway through this movie though it just turns into another in a long line of long, drawn out CGI battle sequences that offer nothing in the way of entertainment. While watching I couldn't help but think, "Wow, I really feel bad for all those animators, spending so much time demolishing CG buildings and drawing spaceships, just so I can drift in and out of consciousness for 45 minutes. Hmm, did I leave the stove on? I wonder what we're going to this weekend. Oh, did the movie end? Good."

2.5 Stars (out of 5)

According to Business Week, more than 100 companies paid to have their products or brands visible in Man of Steel, raising around $160 million, the most money ever made through product placement. How many did you notice? Does it take you out of the film? Hmmm? IHOP!!!