Man of Steel was excellent. Felt more "modern" but in a good way instead of a pearl-clutching, completely sanitized way. Criticisms of typical Zach Snyder tropes aside, this movie wasn't as full of the issues plaguing anything recent from Snyder. The score was really good, and the special effects were fantastic. The cast was amazing as well. It doesn't bother me one bit that he ended up killing Zod, because he was protecting people while he did it. That feels like a thing Superman could and should do, and I don't understand that criticism from people who don't like that movie or that version of Superman.
It's one of the few movies I've left the theater and said " I think I hated this movie" By the end of the movie I was on Zod's side. He was trying to save his people from extinction. Then he encounters this teenage punk trying to commit genocide against his people by eliminating their only way of reproducing.
Ryan’s comment at the end about Superman ‘78 being the person we wish we could be, but Man of Steel is the Superman we actually are… Wow, that’s an uncomfortable truth.
For me, that’s exactly why Man Of Steel is extremely good. Plus, we had seen Richard Donner and Christopher Reeve. It was 35 years later, and I was expecting a new tone.
It is an uncomfortable truth, but I think what he is saying is, superman is here to inspire us up! If it's an uncomfortable truth, then tomorrow do something tomorrow that clark would do! You can be a hero tomorrow for someone! I know I haven't been the most selfless person, but tomorrow I want to try to do one thing that would make Christopher reeves smile from beyond
Cavill played a superpowered Kryptonian - but he was not Superman. Snyder did not allow Cavill (who could have done so superbly and charismatically!) to embody in any way the kindness, altruism and empathy that actually makes the Superman character the GOAT of superheroes...Cavill is a self-insert of Snyder’s Ayn Rand tainted Libertarianism which actually ridicules and condemns altruism. The best Superman actors, Reeves, Hoechlin, Welling (as Superboy) charismatically embodied the original comic-book Superman’s compassion. BTW, the Kevin Costner/Pa-Kent-meets-tornado-in-the-face scene is the most asinine in ANY Superman story put on film. Second to that, the Zod-neck-snap scene. Vorenswet and Gunn will do great with their inspriring message of hope and koy. A billion dollar movie is in the cards.
Fantastic teardown, I think you verbalized what a lot of us thought about these two movies. Christopher Reeves’s Superman is the ideal we should be striving towards.
This is the best ScreenCrush video essay I have seen. The explanation and education of not just the movies and directors but also how the movies were a product of their time. I hope to see more like this.
Bullshit he misinterpreted a bunch of stuff so much that if this was a court procedure he get an objection for leading testimony. Personally I'd rather a Superman who chooses to be a hero rather then one who feels obligated to be one. It being an obligation seems kinda fanatical to me. Like he sees us as Pets he has to take care of which is very Silverage in attitude. Look no further then Peter Parker a guy who feels obligated to be a Hero and all the chaos he generates for himself and others. Modern Supermans see themselves as just a dude with these Superpowers who just wants to help in any way he can and that's what Man of Steel was.
In another comment section, someone mentioned that Zack Snyder should direct the next Spider-Man movie. I said he'd have Uncle Ben telling Peter that "Responsibility is overrated. Do what ever you want to do".
I love Christopher Reeve's Superman film more because it brought heart and had charm. His Superman is the best adapted version, in my personal opinion.
I agree with you 100% cinematically, as well as Reeve’s portrayal of our boy in blue. But have you seen Superman and Lois?? By FAR the best written, most sincere and honest portrayal of what Superman is. And don’t get me wrong, I think Hoechlin is superb in the role, but to have seen Chris Reeve portray how THAT Superman and Clark were written…man, I’d give just about anything to have seen that.
I share your opinion 100%. I wish that Christopher Reeve had never had his accident so that he could have portrayed Superman several more times before his career ended.
@@dangerfly I saw a cut of the film where General Zod was not killed and was arrested by the science police. We don't have a similar cut for Zack Snyder's Superman film.
@@seanleon2766 Did that cut also show Zod's mangled hand? Does it warm your heart that Superman tricked Zod into holding his hand just so he could pulverize every bone in his hand then throw him?
True story: The moment Superman snapped Zod’s neck I saw two men stand up and leave the theatre. This was a collectible steel ticket Tuesday preview before it released wide. That’s when I knew the movie missed the mark.
Hell, I like Man of Steel because I'm not American and I was born in Eastern Europe so Superman 1978 was never shown here unlike Man of Steel and the 1996 animated series. So let's hate and wish me bad Circassians that I'm not like you.
@@johnmagowan6393 So just like MAGA yearn for the good ol' days where racism/sexism was rampant? Make superheroes great again even if the past wasn't so great?
This is a perfect analysis of why MOS doesn’t work. You nailed it, even down to pointing out that MCU Captain America is precisely the hero MOS Superman should’ve been. Superman shouldn’t be cynical or selfish or a reflection of what humanity is, he should be an ideal for us to strive toward, which is ironically what MOS Jor-El wants for him that he somehow never learns to be.
Putting C.A. as the perfect role model is both disgusting and laughable. C.A. wanted to be shown as a Jesus Christ in uniform. Born perfect, with perfect morality, never facing human realities, doubts to finally make his own free choice. Hopefully, the right one for the world and himself. Perfect people are just disgusting 🤢🤮
It CAN be....IF done right. It'd require a writer/director with actual intellect on that stuff, which zack snyder has NONE. He can't even tell any original story right. His best works have been PANEL-TO-PANEL adaptations.
No, that's how you, and a lot of people interpret Superman, an always perfect, unrealistic inspiration. Man of Steel's version of Superman explores Superman from Superman's point of view, an alien who is flawed, confused, discovers he's an alien with god level abilities, does not know his place in this world with these god level abilities, gets ill treated again with said god level abilities, and is wondering why humans are the way they are. Man of Steel holds the mirror to humainty's face and Zod is an approximation of what the average human would become if they had power...and that is why people dislike Man of Steel. I think it is the best, most authentic and most honest Superman story told on screen.
@@mikehammer1777 So what is different is simply that Superman had sorted through all these doubts by the time he left Smallville in the older versions. He still had the doubts in his story. I simply prefer the version where Superman is sure of himself and what he is doing is good. He loves humans even with their many flaws. Snyders version was beautifully shot, Cavill makes a perfect Superman and I personally loved Michael Shannon as Zod. It just doesn't touch me deeply without that sense of wonder I saw in the Reeve version but also in Smallville. I admit I never read the comics so you can call me out on that if u like. But basically agreeing with you, you can like your fave version and I can like mine.
@@annettelouise6781 I never made this a yours vs mine conversation, don't be so myopic. Just pointing out the differences in the 2 versions of Superman.
Final comment after watching the whole video: this is the best video on this channel so far. The "kindness not as a burden, but a reward" line was especially good and represents what's behind both Superman and Captain America. I am not American, but the idea of someone being a role model by caring and putting themselves in service of others is quite universal (I usually hated when comic writers would force Superman or Captain America as "defenders of America", the "American Dream" or as patriotic models).
Superman 78 is about Superman hence the title. Its hilarious when folks call Man of Steel a bad Superman film. Like that kill their whole opinion in itself lol
There's nothing interesting about a kantian Superman who never has to make difficult decisions. Fans like Ryan do not understand philosophy so they have no idea what kind of horrors they're promoting. Cartoon logic works for kids, but adults need complexity to be engaged.
This is my favorite video you have done. Please repost this often. As far as the movies the final act against Zod was the beginning of me checking out of the DCEU, and your point on what Cap portrayed in the MCU is 100% spot on. The commentary about social media was really great as well, and I needed to hear it today. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I personally prefer when Reeve took Zod's powers away, put him in a chokehold, break every bone in his hand, then threw him against the walls of the Fortress of Solitude down to an icy crevice.
Ohhh I get it Superman '78: saves everyone except Lois=sacrificing his own happiness for the greater good Man of Steel: metropolis is destroyed but he saves Lois=vis verse Great video!
Hey I really appreciated this post Ryan. You’re completely right that we are becoming so obsessed with our microcosms we are losing sight of “greater good”. Don’t let the haters hate get to you. It takes effort to not be small minded and many don’t put forth the effort and reflect.
This video spoke to me, not just as an individual, but as a member of humanity. It feels very thoughtful and even philosophical at times. Thank you for making this. It makes me want to view the world in its entirety as part of my own motivations, and not just the tiny specs of dirt that I frequent.
This is proof all films are subjective. I think thats the most selfish thing a hero can do, turn back time to save a crush? Not knowing what it will do to Earth? That scene alone is one of the main reason I don't hold the 78 Superman as anything special. No consequences for his actions throughout the film which is a cop out of being Superman.
Superman is like the friend you like to visit man of steel is like that grumpy uncle who gets drunk during the holidays who complains about everything and just not pleasant to be around.
My friend came up with a term for Internet haters a long time ago. He called them Code Warriors because they act all tough with the anonymity of the Internet but are too cowardly to say that to someone's face. Superman [78] is my Superman. Let's try to be the best that we can be and treat each other with kindness and do what's right instead of being super selfish. I didn't know that Christopher Reeve was a pilot. His flying is so good. Even after all these decades.
People who criticize MoS get called "Cavill haters". But that isn't true at all. He would have been fine with a less cynical director. I think my favorite Cavill/Superman moment is the race with the Flash at the the end of the theatrical Justice League.
I LOVED Man of Steel ( saw it at the cinema ) I think the film is-GREAT-and the sound track is-AMAZING. I also think MOS is the best SUPES movie ofall time.
The whole handling of Jonathan Kent is where he lost me. Clark's earth parents were essential to his moral compass. To have Pa Kent tell his son "f those kids" was wild to me. And the whole tornado death scene was so contrived. With all the chaos going around, how many people would have questioned Clark running out to save anyone. No, Jonathan forces his wife and son to basically watch him commit suicide in front of them and countless others.
Clark asked him what he should have done ...should he have let them die. Jonathan says "I don't know maybe" while looking away worried what he did might catch the government's attention.
That death scene totally took me out of the movie. Like what kid thinks well, I might face some difficult problems if my secret is revealed, better that my dad dies. What’s the moral there? Avoid your problems as long as possible, even at the cost of your loved ones?
@SonofRaa He never said “F those kids.” He said “maybe” because he’s human and doesn’t have all the answers to Clark’s questions. 🤦♂️ Only a primitive mind like yours would fail to see the nuances. Also the tornado scene was not contrived.
@@princesspeach607some difficult problems? The whole reason Jonathan didn’t want his secret to be known because he knew the government would take him away and experiment on him. And they’d use his mother as collateral. This movie actually had consequences in them unlike the 78 movie. You may love it because it made you feel special but the mos was based on a world where every action had a consequence. You can hate that but that’s what made the movie feel real and less like a cartoon
i agree with so much of this. MOS just didn't feel like a superman movie the same way Superman 1978 did. Unpopular opinion: Superman Returns 2006 was a good superman movie!
I disagree with Superman Returns being a good movie because the people that they’ve casted with the exception of Brandon Routh and the guy who played Jimmy Olsen in that movie were entirely miss cast in the movie. Man of Steel was Superman if he was an immigrant and Jesus at the same time.
Absolutely agree. Brandon Routh did a fantastic job of following in the footsteps of Christopher Reeves. Bryan Singer did an incredible job of following Richard Donner's work with a decent explanation of why there was such a large gap between movies.
I thought Superman Returns was great...but was incredibly disappointed that they went back to the Lex Luthor well once again. /yawn If they didn't have Luthor in another Superman title in my lifetime I would be quite pleased.
I think your Captain America comparison is good , Steve didn’t care what anyone thought about him being a “ Boy Scout” he leaned into it. Clark shouldn’t be the Brooding one that’s Bruce’s role. ZoD should have been saved for Man of Steel II , which should have been before Batman vs Superman, we didn’t have time too like the character, Lois finds out who Superman is , before even meeting Clark. Everyone wants to tear down the idea of Superman, that’s why all the Homelander type characters are so prevalent now, because of what we would do with that kind of power , not what Clark would do. ‘78 Superman shows what it took to break Clark’s restraint, only when the people he loves are threatened will he bow too selfishness to break a rule. Man of Steel’s Clark is a reflection of Snyder’s dystopian vision.
@@redcomet0079Regardless of his alien origins, Superman is no less of a man than Captain America. If you don't know that, then you are just ignoring Superman's humanity for a flawed assessment.
Superman 78 definitely did right by Superman, while man of steel didn't understand the basics of who Superman is, what he stands for, and why he is Superman at all.
But did they? I get the argument that 78 Superman carried a message of positive in a world of negative and that he stands for truth justice and the American way and he is indeed the moral compass we should all strive for, in essence, this version unlike mos, despite what Ryan said in this video, makes a comparison to being Christ like. But all that is well and good because it follows closer to the comic of Superman being sure of who he is and what he stands for and follows the needs of others before himself rule yet then people overlook 78 where Superman when facing struggle or situations out of his control where he just doesn’t follow that rule. Time traveling to save Lois and possibly endangering countless others, beating up a human in a bar for revenge from when he was beat up, ending the lives of Zod and company, yeah I know there was out footage where they were lead away in cuffs but a human, which they were once stripped of their powers doesn’t survive being thrown against an ice wall and plugged into an abyss of ice and darkness, at least without incurring injury at the least. The point is that the truth of a God like being in our planet would be a little more in line with mos verses 78 version and that 78 version, when put to task, wasn’t as pure and upstanding as people remember, there is a bit of both between the two versions and somewhere in the middle is where the truth lies
I love this! This is absolutely the best take I’ve heard since Man of Steel came out. Superman wasn’t right in that movie. Superman isn’t a product of his time… he’s gotta be above and beyond his time. Superman 78 is the tone Superman should be regardless of what people of today want.
I always assumed Superman screamed after killing Zod because of how inherently tragic it is that he finally met his people and he had to murder one of them to save humanity. That seemed very emotionally honest to me and I never understood why everyone hated the snap so much. But yeah, I agree, Snyder is an individualistic bro.
I never hate that moment ... what i hated was the scene after where they act like nothing happen and acted like everything was a happy ending. Its kinda like if the huge "i am your father moment" of empire was followed by. "Hey han and leia! Whats you guys up going? Me nothing new. Now lets get all our socks and beat the empire once and for all" *roll credits* It just sucks aways all the drama and shock if you don't commit to the tragedy. Batman vs superman might correct this at the begging, maybe you could argue it over correct making batman steal screen time from sups, but even then the first thing he does superman was killing a man with no mercy (sure he had Lois as a hostage, sure because melting that gun with his eye ray or literally grabing that gun faster than the speeding bullet is for the weaks) making zod death completly pointless if superman learn Jack shit from this. Making it the walking definition of cheap shock value if it dosn't add anything to the story.
Nice angle. That never crossed my mind......... I saw Superman '78 at the movies. This may sound corny from a 53 yr old guy buy I still believe in "Truth, Justice & The American Way....... Superman Don't Kill!!
The internet is Pandora's Box. Once opened, it released the worst plagues on humanity. Except we didn't get the Hope that was included in the original.
I guessed about 1 hour into the movie that Snyder would just kill Zod in cold blood instead of having a creative ending. So I wasn't surprised. Killing Zod might have had some impact if Superman and Zod didn't just kill thousands punching each other right before.
Same here. The narrative was on that heading from Zod's landing in Smallville. I would only bristle at your description of Zod's death as 'cold-blooded'. It was the act of a man forced into a position he was neither emotionally equipped or experienced enough tactically to handle. Not only was Clark deeply conflicted before, but clearly following the 'snap'. I would hardly describe this as 'cold-blooded'. In the words of the maestro Inigo, "...I do not think this word means what you think it means."
Or if it was his third appearance, and we knew who Superman was in the context of this world. We never really see this character even become the symbol of hope or heroic example the movie wants him to be. If it’s not Mommy Martha or New Mommy Lois, he just makes lifting a finger to help people seem like an annoying chore.
@@cg1704 Comic fans aren't nerds. True nerds would know what the 'Trolley Problem' is and its significance to ethics. If only information was free on the internet...
Yeah... I found that weird too. Sup's... you just killed thousands of people in that tumble with Zod. Its that moment in Invincible with Omniman putting Invincible's face through a subway train of people.
How many times does it need to be said? Superman does NOT "reverse the rotation of the Earth." That scene is a representation of Superman reversing TIME.
Snyder says we're living in a dream world. No, we're living in reality. That's why people go to be entertained and taken into a dream world sometimes. Some people need to not be involved in making films about these characters.
This is one your best videos ever. A magnum opus if you will. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 I remember walking out of Man of Steel in cinema feeling quite hollow. It didn’t ‘feel’ like the Superman I knew. I get what Snyder was trying to achieve but it just didn’t resonate.
Honestly the fact that you hadn't done this one before made me assume it was being saved for when Gunn's movie would come out since it seemed to be one of the most obvious scene fights ever.
IMO the real big difference is Jonathan Kent Death ! One teach a lesson, no matter how powerful you are, fate is beyond your control, you are not God. And the other, it is okay to let your father die for no reason under the cover of "protecting your secret". You are a god walking among men after all. And Richard Donner is a competent filmmaker, Zack Snyder is a juvenil hack
Wow thats what you got from both scenes? Thats interesting. From MOS I got "choice". When does Clark act to save others and when shouldn't he act to save others. I thoughts everyone understood that scene was a play on the choices Clark makes with his powers.
@@gohanson27in typical Snyder fashion it's done in a way that he thought would look iconic & cool rather than a way that makes rational sense under examination or serves the purpose of the narrative (well, it sorta fits his narrative, the revisionist Superman, but not even really that since the decision not to save him to preserve his secret is made for him). He had him die in a way where Clark could have intervened but is told not to instead of a way where he was truly powerless to save him, rewriting Superman from 'you have an obligation to help people' into a dumb libertarian 'look out for yourself first' lesson. It's very Great Man Superman, as has been the thesis of SC's largely correct critique of Man of Steel all along.
@@mediumvillain but isn't that the same thing Donner did? My problem with the '78 Superman film is that he tels and show us on one hand Superman can't save everyone but on the other hand he saves Lois Lane a woman he just met with h reversing time by spinning the earth backwards. He didn't know what affect it would have on the world but selfishly did it to save his crush. I think that was sloppy and a cop out of Superman making choices. But I guess that wasn't the theme of Donner film. Donner more looked at the power of Superman while Zack focused on the choices Clark makes to become Superman. I get where both directors were coming from on but I think both were done sloppy.
@@gohanson27 I mean ppl have been making fun of Superman reversing time in that scene for quite a long time. I'm definitely not arguing on behalf of Donner's Superman being immaculate.
@@gohanson27also Superman reversing time was something Donner was going to used in a Superman movie, but it wasn’t going to be the first movie. The sequence was original going to be used in the second movie. Richard Donner was filming both Superman I & II at the same time. Some days they were filming scenes for the first movie and on other days, they would film scenes for the second movie. Eventually Donner ran out of money and so in order to have a finished first Superman movie; some scenes filmed for movie II were now included as part of the first Superman movie
Christopher Reeve is the best live action Superman to embrace the big screen. His Superman show the audience who Superman really is, while Cavill's Superman showed the audience how they would preserve him if he were real. Both movies are very interesting but Superman 1978 I feel had the better story. It's the movie who got me started with Superman while Kevin Conroy got me started with Batman with the 90s animated series. Christan Bale would later bring that similar take with The Dark Knight Trilogy but in a more realistic world. That's why Christopher Reeve and Christan Bale are my top favorite live action Batman and Superman.
BEST...SCREENCRUSH....SEGMENT...EVER. As a pastor and huge comic fan, I totally agree with the difference between the two Supermen and inspiration does matter. In such a divided climate where no one simply has conversations with one another to peacefully discuss differences, the 78 Superman reminded us that we all have value as humans and are united in the world. Hope is a real thing. Thanks for the great content.
Ever since I watched man of steel, I had a hard time liking any DC films from synderverse. Your points and comparisons are wonderfully articulated. Thank you for making this video.
Snyder is a cynic. There was no joy in Man of Steel. Donner and Mankiewicz were optimists. They saw Superman as an allegory of what we could all aspire to be. I’m wondering where this new reboot will take us. Hopefully, a place with awe and wonder.
Hell, I like Man of Steel because I'm not American and I was born in Eastern Europe so Superman 1978 was never shown here unlike Man of Steel and the 1996 animated series. So let's hate and wish me bad Circassians that I'm not like you.
I respectfully think you missed the point of parts of MOS. Clark is not weighing his happiness against saving the world. He is considering the potential consequences of his actions outweighing (in very bad ways outside of his control) the initial action itself. Discussing this conflict with the preacher when he’s confronted with the threat of Zod, the preacher tells him that he may have to have faith. And it’s Lois’ selfless protection of his identity that gives him the faith to know that at least some portion of humanity will help him do what is right. It’s not about personal happiness… it’s about an even greater responsibility, and that no actions of a Godlike being are simple and without larger ramifications. BVS challenges this even further and tests his faith and convictions to the near breaking point.
I remember seeing Superman in the theater. It was 78 so I guess I was 6 at the time. The Lois death scene, Superman screaming, and then flying around the Earth to reverse time (with no score below it, mind you) was incredibly profound to me. I never forgot that breathless feeling. And I didn't even like DC, I was a Marvel kid!😄
Hell, I like Man of Steel because I'm not American and I was born in Eastern Europe so Superman 1978 was never shown here unlike Man of Steel and the 1996 animated series. So let's hate and wish me bad Circassians that I'm not like you.
I’m sorry but that first Avengers might be the greatest comic book movie of all time just in terms of pure entertainment value. Great writing, great villain, great character dynamics, VFX still look great, score is iconic, legendary scenes and quotes and that 360 shot defined 2010s blockbusters. Yeah that movie is GOATED just based off that short Hulk clip 😭😭😭😭
I'm gonna keep this short and sweet... I agree with you on this, 100%. I've never cared for Snyders take on Superman, or any of the other Snyderverse films. Only now do I understand why... Ayn Rand. That explains soooo much.
When Zach had Superman turn his back on humanity in BvS, it annoyed me so much because regardless of how much humanity hates him, he’d NEVER give up on humanity because of the love he has for Lois, his parents, Jimmy and just humanity in general. He was raised by humans with pure and unconditional love so Clark and Superman both that pure and unconditional love for humanity. I’m not saying we shouldn’t have a flawed Superman/Clark who makes morally gray decisions, however, those decisions should still be within the scope of who the character is and not a deconstruction of a beloved character because you think it’d be cool or edgy, that’s a completely new character you’ve created which is why ppl couldn’t connect with DCEU Superman on a mass scale.
Reeve embodied everything that Superman is. I honestly like Cavill but not his version of the icon. The closest thing to Donner's take is Tyler Hoechlin.
I completely agree... I also think Cavil was totally done dirty by Sneiders version of superman. Cavil is one of us. A nerd who just wants to play his heroes on screen... and he's good at it. Here's hoping that Marvel treats him as the gem he is... the perfect lens for what nerds could hope to be.
Reeve will always be my Superman. The 78 movie was just such a perfect passion project for all involved. Donner knew the assignment and I feel Gunn does as well. Looking forward to the new film coming this year. Hopefully it has the same magic that the Donner version did all those years ago.
Sorry. It wasn't like that. Marlon Brando was so uninterested in working in this movie that he didn't care to learn the right pronunciation of it. He barely showed up and then vanished, without making any effort to do a good job. His first critic was Christopher Reed himself! He said it publicly in tv interviews.
Reeve. No S on his name. I heard somewhere that Christopher Reeve really had an issue with people saying Reeves instead of Reeve. I totally understand that feeling. I hate when people call me Richard Marx instead of Mark. I also think he had an issue with people comparing him to the original TV Superman, George Reeves (with an S) I’m sure he didn’t like being associated with that George’s tragedy even on a subconscious level.
I enjoyed Man of Steel, but never felt uplifted like I normally do with Supes media. Superman and Lois, for example, presented a Superman more in with 78. As a result, it was, at times, a moving show. Cavill was great in the role. I always thought he was a great Superman in need of a good script
Spot on, Arey!! Well done, sir. Every single point was spot on. I hope james gunns version will cement Snyders Ayn Rand Superman in its place. Cavills great still.
FANTASTIC VIDEO!!! I cannot voice my appreciation and agreement with this video enough. This is the perfect comparison. I was also excited when I heard about MOS, but quickly checked out for the same reasons. My checkout scene was probably when young Clark is playing with a cape on and strikes the Superman pose. He would have no reference for this and in Superman is the reason a kid plays with a cape so it made no sense, but I agree with everything you said and believe this video should be a required watch for any future Superman or DC producers in the future. I'm curious of your take on Superman Returns as I think it struck the right tone, but did have it's issues. I loved seeing it in the theater and walked out very satisfied whereas with MOS I was really let down. Again great vid I'm definitely a new subscriber!!
Superman Returns had the bad fortune of being sandwiched between the most beloved Superman movies and the most despised Superman movie. Routh was actually a very good Superman and Clark Kent.
Such good insight about what the '78 film did well (and how well Christopher Reeve did it.) You really get to the heart of Superman, with a deep understanding of who he is -- and why he was created. Excellent job.
Great video! This video articulated every single feeling I have had about why Christopher Reeve still ranks supreme as the true Man of Steel and why Zach Snyders Man of Steel didn't resonate with as many people. You nailed it big time. So much more depth and explanation than I never thought of, but was probably stored in the subconcious mind. Reeve personified the ultimate human spirit of good and personal sacrifice....while Zach was trying to go against the grain and create a Superman that was not grounded in the character. However, he did tap into an audience that is tired of "good" and showing a more humanistic approach to dealing with problems. Unfortunately, that makes him a regular human being with flaws that Superman does not have the liberty of taking. Great video!
Superman '78 wanted to make us care about a literal god that can fly in a blue/red suit. MOS took the cynical approach and wanted a Superman that doubts himself and humanity. Its easy to see why Superman '78 remains popular to this day compared to MOS which is routinely mocked. Pa Kents death in Superman '78 is perfect. Pa Kents death in MOS is a laugh out loud moment that makes you question the lack of intelligence behind the camera.
Hell, I like Man of Steel because I'm not American and I was born in Eastern Europe so Superman 1978 was never shown here unlike Man of Steel and the 1996 animated series. So let's hate and wish me bad Circassians that I'm not like you.
Justice League Dark VS Multiverse of Madness! Superhero Horror Stories! The Super Mario Bros. Movie VS Sonic the Hedgehog 2! Love and Thunder VS Fury of the Gods! Thor VS Shazam!
Thank you Screen Crush for this video big fan of the channel. I’m also a huge Superman fan and I could not agree with this video more. Thank you I feel Man of Steel miss represented Superman so badly I’m glad to see the view of Superman changing again finally I think ‘My Adventures with Superman’ & ‘Superman and Lois’ have brought him back to the hero he’s always been & away from this individual first Ayn Rand nightmare verison
Good video. I grew up watching the OG Superman and he was my favorite. I get why people don't like Man of Steel, but I really l like that one too. I'm glad you at least understood where Snyder was coming from.
Your take is spot on! Superman 78 is my favorite superhero movie too! I wish that the new DCU would give us a live version of the Super Friends with good plots and character formations.
Hell, I like Man of Steel because I'm not American and I was born in Eastern Europe so Superman 1978 was never shown here unlike Man of Steel and the 1996 animated series. So let's hate and wish me bad Circassians that I'm not like you.
100% in point. Yes. Some people incorrectly think that because Man of Steel was the first introduction to young kids that that is why they grew up to love it more than the Christopher Reeve version however that is not true which I will prove now, when I was a little boy I used to watch the reruns of the George Reeves 1950s Superman which they replayed 20 and 30 years later, that was my first introduction to a real live action superman, but when I saw Christopher Reeve portray Superman next, that blew my mind and he became the real life Superman for me, so even though I was introduced to a different actor playing Superman when I saw Christopher Reeves instantly I knew he was the one!
Totally with you on this. Superman not based on selfish sinisicm but based on hope and optimism...frankly and especially right now this is what WE NEED
Paul Kent? I thought it was Johnathan? '78 is superior and Superman's line of "Don't thank me, Warden. We're all part of the SAME team" perfectly encapsulates who Superman is and what he is to the people of Earth. He works FOR humanity...not above them.
This. My bro is a MoS fan and I just hate that movie and Snyder for how he treated Superman. Cavill is the perfect Superman casting for our era, but Snyder just messed it up. When my bro asked me why, I used the points listed. MoS is a bad Superman representation for the modern era. When I heard Snyder was attached I was excited cause 300, Watchmen, I really enjoyed those movies, but this was not it. I wanted a Superman movie not a desaturated man movie.
Hell, I like Man of Steel because I'm not American and I was born in Eastern Europe so Superman 1978 was never shown here unlike Man of Steel and the 1996 animated series. So let's hate and wish me bad Circassians that I'm not like you.
Quick correction: Superman 1978 did not reverse the rotation of the earth. Superman went back in time the reverse spinning of the Earth was his perception of the time change.
But that’s such a big plot hole, if he indeed can go back in time went just go back to save Lois why not go back to stop the detonation of the nuclear device that started the chain event that lead to her being trapped not to mention all those souls that died from it. He literally went back in time to save one person that was important to him, thus negating Ryan’s argument of putting the needs of others before his own. He could’ve chose to save others but only saved her
What did you think of Man of Steel?
Loved it
I think it's fine could've veen better but could've been worse
Man of Steel was excellent. Felt more "modern" but in a good way instead of a pearl-clutching, completely sanitized way. Criticisms of typical Zach Snyder tropes aside, this movie wasn't as full of the issues plaguing anything recent from Snyder. The score was really good, and the special effects were fantastic. The cast was amazing as well. It doesn't bother me one bit that he ended up killing Zod, because he was protecting people while he did it. That feels like a thing Superman could and should do, and I don't understand that criticism from people who don't like that movie or that version of Superman.
It's one of the few movies I've left the theater and said " I think I hated this movie"
By the end of the movie I was on Zod's side. He was trying to save his people from extinction. Then he encounters this teenage punk trying to commit genocide against his people by eliminating their only way of reproducing.
Disappointing
Ryan’s comment at the end about Superman ‘78 being the person we wish we could be, but Man of Steel is the Superman we actually are… Wow, that’s an uncomfortable truth.
For me, that’s exactly why Man Of Steel is extremely good. Plus, we had seen Richard Donner and Christopher Reeve. It was 35 years later, and I was expecting a new tone.
It is an uncomfortable truth, but I think what he is saying is, superman is here to inspire us up! If it's an uncomfortable truth, then tomorrow do something tomorrow that clark would do! You can be a hero tomorrow for someone! I know I haven't been the most selfless person, but tomorrow I want to try to do one thing that would make Christopher reeves smile from beyond
@@jbridge7962 I agree! Love this.
For many, it is. This is why we look up to characters like Superman 78. And we CAN be more like him, but like man of steel, we choose not to....
Cavill played a superpowered Kryptonian - but he was not Superman. Snyder did not allow Cavill (who could have done so superbly and charismatically!) to embody in any way the kindness, altruism and empathy that actually makes the Superman character the GOAT of superheroes...Cavill is a self-insert of Snyder’s Ayn Rand tainted Libertarianism which actually ridicules and condemns altruism. The best Superman actors, Reeves, Hoechlin, Welling (as Superboy) charismatically embodied the original comic-book Superman’s compassion. BTW, the Kevin Costner/Pa-Kent-meets-tornado-in-the-face scene is the most asinine in ANY Superman story put on film. Second to that, the Zod-neck-snap scene. Vorenswet and Gunn will do great with their inspriring message of hope and koy. A billion dollar movie is in the cards.
Fantastic teardown, I think you verbalized what a lot of us thought about these two movies. Christopher Reeves’s Superman is the ideal we should be striving towards.
This is the best ScreenCrush video essay I have seen.
The explanation and education of not just the movies and directors but also how the movies were a product of their time.
I hope to see more like this.
Bullshit he misinterpreted a bunch of stuff so much that if this was a court procedure he get an objection for leading testimony. Personally I'd rather a Superman who chooses to be a hero rather then one who feels obligated to be one. It being an obligation seems kinda fanatical to me. Like he sees us as Pets he has to take care of which is very Silverage in attitude. Look no further then Peter Parker a guy who feels obligated to be a Hero and all the chaos he generates for himself and others. Modern Supermans see themselves as just a dude with these Superpowers who just wants to help in any way he can and that's what Man of Steel was.
That is way off.
In another comment section, someone mentioned that Zack Snyder should direct the next Spider-Man movie. I said he'd have Uncle Ben telling Peter that "Responsibility is overrated. Do what ever you want to do".
😂😂😂😂
Clearly you missed the point of all Jon's lessons bc being responsible and thinking BIG PICTURE was at the core of everyone he said.
And so Peter keeps missing the part where that’s his problem
haha so true
@dobi287 you mean like when he told Clark to let those kids die???
I love Christopher Reeve's Superman film more because it brought heart and had charm. His Superman is the best adapted version, in my personal opinion.
I agree with you 100% cinematically, as well as Reeve’s portrayal of our boy in blue. But have you seen Superman and Lois?? By FAR the best written, most sincere and honest portrayal of what Superman is. And don’t get me wrong, I think Hoechlin is superb in the role, but to have seen Chris Reeve portray how THAT Superman and Clark were written…man, I’d give just about anything to have seen that.
I share your opinion 100%. I wish that Christopher Reeve had never had his accident so that he could have portrayed Superman several more times before his career ended.
Do you also love that Superman kills Zod at the end of Superman 2?
@@dangerfly I saw a cut of the film where General Zod was not killed and was arrested by the science police. We don't have a similar cut for Zack Snyder's Superman film.
@@seanleon2766 Did that cut also show Zod's mangled hand? Does it warm your heart that Superman tricked Zod into holding his hand just so he could pulverize every bone in his hand then throw him?
I'm disappointed that you didn't mention that Superman 78 has the superior musical theme (Thank you John Williams).
That goes without saying.
13:24. 13:47
I thought Man of Steel has the superior musical sound-tracks,I still listen to them till this day.
I think Henry was a great Superman and I liked the movie very much. I think producers or directors did him dirty and got him out.
@TESORO-b1x I disagree.. alot of people today don't know that. Many others don't even know superman even has a theme song.
True story:
The moment Superman snapped Zod’s neck I saw two men stand up and leave the theatre. This was a collectible steel ticket Tuesday preview before it released wide. That’s when I knew the movie missed the mark.
Hell, I like Man of Steel because I'm not American and I was born in Eastern Europe so Superman 1978 was never shown here unlike Man of Steel and the 1996 animated series.
So let's hate and wish me bad Circassians that I'm not like you.
This is Screen Crush and Ryan at their absolute best.. and DOUG! Doug too!
So their best is conveniently forgetting that Superman kills Zod at the end of Superman 2?
@@dangerfly they weren't talking about 2
@@johnmagowan6393 So just like MAGA yearn for the good ol' days where racism/sexism was rampant? Make superheroes great again even if the past wasn't so great?
@@johnmagowan6393 Ignore the truth if it makes you wrong?
@@dangerfly title literally says Superman 78. Be well.
This is a perfect analysis of why MOS doesn’t work. You nailed it, even down to pointing out that MCU Captain America is precisely the hero MOS Superman should’ve been.
Superman shouldn’t be cynical or selfish or a reflection of what humanity is, he should be an ideal for us to strive toward, which is ironically what MOS Jor-El wants for him that he somehow never learns to be.
Putting C.A. as the perfect role model is both disgusting and laughable.
C.A. wanted to be shown as a Jesus Christ in uniform. Born perfect, with perfect morality, never facing human realities, doubts to finally make his own free choice. Hopefully, the right one for the world and himself.
Perfect people are just disgusting 🤢🤮
Bingo
yes totally agree. Superman is about inspiring us, not a psychological dilemma to be solved.
It CAN be....IF done right.
It'd require a writer/director with actual intellect on that stuff, which zack snyder has NONE.
He can't even tell any original story right.
His best works have been PANEL-TO-PANEL adaptations.
No, that's how you, and a lot of people interpret Superman, an always perfect, unrealistic inspiration. Man of Steel's version of Superman explores Superman from Superman's point of view, an alien who is flawed, confused, discovers he's an alien with god level abilities, does not know his place in this world with these god level abilities, gets ill treated again with said god level abilities, and is wondering why humans are the way they are. Man of Steel holds the mirror to humainty's face and Zod is an approximation of what the average human would become if they had power...and that is why people dislike Man of Steel. I think it is the best, most authentic and most honest Superman story told on screen.
@@mikehammer1777 So what is different is simply that Superman had sorted through all these doubts by the time he left Smallville in the older versions. He still had the doubts in his story. I simply prefer the version where Superman is sure of himself and what he is doing is good. He loves humans even with their many flaws. Snyders version was beautifully shot, Cavill makes a perfect Superman and I personally loved Michael Shannon as Zod. It just doesn't touch me deeply without that sense of wonder I saw in the Reeve version but also in Smallville. I admit I never read the comics so you can call me out on that if u like. But basically agreeing with you, you can like your fave version and I can like mine.
@@annettelouise6781 I never made this a yours vs mine conversation, don't be so myopic. Just pointing out the differences in the 2 versions of Superman.
@@mikehammer1777 Thought I was being polite about it, Fair enough, convo over.
Final comment after watching the whole video: this is the best video on this channel so far. The "kindness not as a burden, but a reward" line was especially good and represents what's behind both Superman and Captain America. I am not American, but the idea of someone being a role model by caring and putting themselves in service of others is quite universal (I usually hated when comic writers would force Superman or Captain America as "defenders of America", the "American Dream" or as patriotic models).
Captain America represents the USA.....Superman should represent the world.
Superman 78 is more optimistic and hopeful like Superman should be
I agree 💯 👍
I don't agree with that
Superman 78 is about Superman hence the title. Its hilarious when folks call Man of Steel a bad Superman film. Like that kill their whole opinion in itself lol
There's nothing interesting about a kantian Superman who never has to make difficult decisions. Fans like Ryan do not understand philosophy so they have no idea what kind of horrors they're promoting. Cartoon logic works for kids, but adults need complexity to be engaged.
Exactly, not everything has to be gritty
The scene where Superman grieves and shouts out in pain after he finds Louis Lane dead still gets me.
This is my favorite video you have done. Please repost this often. As far as the movies the final act against Zod was the beginning of me checking out of the DCEU, and your point on what Cap portrayed in the MCU is 100% spot on.
The commentary about social media was really great as well, and I needed to hear it today.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I personally prefer when Reeve took Zod's powers away, put him in a chokehold, break every bone in his hand, then threw him against the walls of the Fortress of Solitude down to an icy crevice.
@@alfredborden5675 By the way, did you know that Superman also killed Zod in the comics?
46 years after I saw Superman 78 in the movies, I still get goosebumps when he catches Lois falling from the helicopter 🥶
Ohhh I get it
Superman '78: saves everyone except Lois=sacrificing his own happiness for the greater good
Man of Steel: metropolis is destroyed but he saves Lois=vis verse
Great video!
Hey I really appreciated this post Ryan. You’re completely right that we are becoming so obsessed with our microcosms we are losing sight of “greater good”. Don’t let the haters hate get to you. It takes effort to not be small minded and many don’t put forth the effort and reflect.
Your analyses are always insightful. They help me think about storytelling in constructive ways.
LOVE the side by side comparison. More like this please. Thumbs up!
This video spoke to me, not just as an individual, but as a member of humanity. It feels very thoughtful and even philosophical at times. Thank you for making this. It makes me want to view the world in its entirety as part of my own motivations, and not just the tiny specs of dirt that I frequent.
Superman scream when he's too late to save Lois Lane and turns back time. He will always be my superhero.
This is proof all films are subjective. I think thats the most selfish thing a hero can do, turn back time to save a crush? Not knowing what it will do to Earth? That scene alone is one of the main reason I don't hold the 78 Superman as anything special. No consequences for his actions throughout the film which is a cop out of being Superman.
@@gohanson27 No, it's he chose the values of his human father over his Kryptonian father.
Yeah, but who will save Zod after Superman crushes his hand kills him in Superman 2? That's your idea of a superhero?
Screaming over Zod’s death is Strange
@@Vendetta-w3fit's so strange that he was devastated after having to kill Zod
It’s fine to have superheroes that reflect who we are, but I also want a superhero we can aspire to be like. And that’s Superman.
Superman is like the friend you like to visit man of steel is like that grumpy uncle who gets drunk during the holidays who complains about everything and just not pleasant to be around.
This was a WONDERFUL video. I couldn't think of a better breakdown/comparison. Well done
My friend came up with a term for Internet haters a long time ago. He called them Code Warriors because they act all tough with the anonymity of the Internet but are too cowardly to say that to someone's face.
Superman [78] is my Superman. Let's try to be the best that we can be and treat each other with kindness and do what's right instead of being super selfish.
I didn't know that Christopher Reeve was a pilot. His flying is so good. Even after all these decades.
I’m not the biggest fan of Man of Steel, but I do think Henry Cavill was a perfect choice for Superman.
People who criticize MoS get called "Cavill haters". But that isn't true at all. He would have been fine with a less cynical director. I think my favorite Cavill/Superman moment is the race with the Flash at the the end of the theatrical Justice League.
Henry Cavill was a good Superman in a terrible Superman movie storyline
Cavill was a great choice for Superman; Snyder was not.
@@johnwilson8482Snyder was possibly the worst choice. Zero optimism. Zero joy.
I LOVED Man of Steel ( saw it at the cinema ) I think the film is-GREAT-and the sound track is-AMAZING. I also think MOS is the best SUPES movie ofall time.
I love the way u dont just criticise zack just provide a window of his personal believes..... Respect
The whole handling of Jonathan Kent is where he lost me. Clark's earth parents were essential to his moral compass. To have Pa Kent tell his son "f those kids" was wild to me. And the whole tornado death scene was so contrived. With all the chaos going around, how many people would have questioned Clark running out to save anyone. No, Jonathan forces his wife and son to basically watch him commit suicide in front of them and countless others.
Clark asked him what he should have done ...should he have let them die. Jonathan says "I don't know maybe" while looking away worried what he did might catch the government's attention.
That death scene totally took me out of the movie. Like what kid thinks well, I might face some difficult problems if my secret is revealed, better that my dad dies. What’s the moral there? Avoid your problems as long as possible, even at the cost of your loved ones?
@SonofRaa He never said “F those kids.” He said “maybe” because he’s human and doesn’t have all the answers to Clark’s questions. 🤦♂️ Only a primitive mind like yours would fail to see the nuances.
Also the tornado scene was not contrived.
And what happens when word gets out about Clark’s powers? You think the government is gonna stand by and do nothing? LMAO.
@@princesspeach607some difficult problems? The whole reason Jonathan didn’t want his secret to be known because he knew the government would take him away and experiment on him. And they’d use his mother as collateral. This movie actually had consequences in them unlike the 78 movie. You may love it because it made you feel special but the mos was based on a world where every action had a consequence. You can hate that but that’s what made the movie feel real and less like a cartoon
i agree with so much of this. MOS just didn't feel like a superman movie the same way Superman 1978 did. Unpopular opinion: Superman Returns 2006 was a good superman movie!
I agree Superman Returns while not perfect is a good movie
I disagree with Superman Returns being a good movie because the people that they’ve casted with the exception of Brandon Routh and the guy who played Jimmy Olsen in that movie were entirely miss cast in the movie. Man of Steel was Superman if he was an immigrant and Jesus at the same time.
Absolutely agree. Brandon Routh did a fantastic job of following in the footsteps of Christopher Reeves. Bryan Singer did an incredible job of following Richard Donner's work with a decent explanation of why there was such a large gap between movies.
I thought Superman Returns was great...but was incredibly disappointed that they went back to the Lex Luthor well once again. /yawn
If they didn't have Luthor in another Superman title in my lifetime I would be quite pleased.
@@Spider-Man4266 Superman is an immigrant,no,really he's an alien pretending to be human.
I think your Captain America comparison is good , Steve didn’t care what anyone thought about him being a “ Boy Scout” he leaned into it. Clark shouldn’t be the Brooding one that’s Bruce’s role. ZoD should have been saved for Man of Steel II , which should have been before Batman vs Superman, we didn’t have time too like the character, Lois finds out who Superman is , before even meeting Clark. Everyone wants to tear down the idea of Superman, that’s why all the Homelander type characters are so prevalent now, because of what we would do with that kind of power , not what Clark would do. ‘78 Superman shows what it took to break Clark’s restraint, only when the people he loves are threatened will he bow too selfishness to break a rule. Man of Steel’s Clark is a reflection of Snyder’s dystopian vision.
He’s the difference: cap is a man
Kal-El is an alien
@@redcomet0079Regardless of his alien origins, Superman is no less of a man than Captain America. If you don't know that, then you are just ignoring Superman's humanity for a flawed assessment.
@@StareachValcin get a job
@@redcomet0079get a life
@@redcomet0079get a life
Babe, wake up! ScreenCrush just dropped straight FIRE
Thoughtful and well made video, thanks Ryan!
Superman 78 definitely did right by Superman, while man of steel didn't understand the basics of who Superman is, what he stands for, and why he is Superman at all.
But did they? I get the argument that 78 Superman carried a message of positive in a world of negative and that he stands for truth justice and the American way and he is indeed the moral compass we should all strive for, in essence, this version unlike mos, despite what Ryan said in this video, makes a comparison to being Christ like. But all that is well and good because it follows closer to the comic of Superman being sure of who he is and what he stands for and follows the needs of others before himself rule yet then people overlook 78 where Superman when facing struggle or situations out of his control where he just doesn’t follow that rule. Time traveling to save Lois and possibly endangering countless others, beating up a human in a bar for revenge from when he was beat up, ending the lives of Zod and company, yeah I know there was out footage where they were lead away in cuffs but a human, which they were once stripped of their powers doesn’t survive being thrown against an ice wall and plugged into an abyss of ice and darkness, at least without incurring injury at the least. The point is that the truth of a God like being in our planet would be a little more in line with mos verses 78 version and that 78 version, when put to task, wasn’t as pure and upstanding as people remember, there is a bit of both between the two versions and somewhere in the middle is where the truth lies
@@donniehollingsworth1611
Christ like ?
I don't see the Christ destroying a truck's driver vehicle out of spite...
Cause Snyder is all style and no substance
Thank you Ryan. I needed this.
I love this! This is absolutely the best take I’ve heard since Man of Steel came out. Superman wasn’t right in that movie. Superman isn’t a product of his time… he’s gotta be above and beyond his time. Superman 78 is the tone Superman should be regardless of what people of today want.
Then where were the real Superman fans for Superman Returns? 🍿 💰
Yeah people forget Superman '78 did not act like a guy from 1978 and that was the point.
@@Jim-Mc Exactly. A normal guy from 1978 would have been more like Tony Manero from 'Saturday Night Fever'.
I always assumed Superman screamed after killing Zod because of how inherently tragic it is that he finally met his people and he had to murder one of them to save humanity. That seemed very emotionally honest to me and I never understood why everyone hated the snap so much.
But yeah, I agree, Snyder is an individualistic bro.
I never hate that moment ... what i hated was the scene after where they act like nothing happen and acted like everything was a happy ending.
Its kinda like if the huge "i am your father moment" of empire was followed by.
"Hey han and leia! Whats you guys up going? Me nothing new. Now lets get all our socks and beat the empire once and for all" *roll credits*
It just sucks aways all the drama and shock if you don't commit to the tragedy.
Batman vs superman might correct this at the begging, maybe you could argue it over correct making batman steal screen time from sups, but even then the first thing he does superman was killing a man with no mercy (sure he had Lois as a hostage, sure because melting that gun with his eye ray or literally grabing that gun faster than the speeding bullet is for the weaks) making zod death completly pointless if superman learn Jack shit from this. Making it the walking definition of cheap shock value if it dosn't add anything to the story.
Nice angle. That never crossed my mind.........
I saw Superman '78 at the movies. This may sound corny from a 53 yr old guy buy I still believe in "Truth, Justice & The American Way....... Superman Don't Kill!!
@@charltonblalock2510Superman doesn't kill usually. But even in comics he has killed Zod and other Kryptonians.
The internet is Pandora's Box. Once opened, it released the worst plagues on humanity. Except we didn't get the Hope that was included in the original.
Just make your own hope. 😂
I guessed about 1 hour into the movie that Snyder would just kill Zod in cold blood instead of having a creative ending. So I wasn't surprised.
Killing Zod might have had some impact if Superman and Zod didn't just kill thousands punching each other right before.
Same here. The narrative was on that heading from Zod's landing in Smallville. I would only bristle at your description of Zod's death as 'cold-blooded'. It was the act of a man forced into a position he was neither emotionally equipped or experienced enough tactically to handle. Not only was Clark deeply conflicted before, but clearly following the 'snap'. I would hardly describe this as 'cold-blooded'.
In the words of the maestro Inigo, "...I do not think this word means what you think it means."
I'm pretty sure killing someone who is trying to murder a family isn't killing "in cold blood"
Or if it was his third appearance, and we knew who Superman was in the context of this world. We never really see this character even become the symbol of hope or heroic example the movie wants him to be. If it’s not Mommy Martha or New Mommy Lois, he just makes lifting a finger to help people seem like an annoying chore.
@@cg1704 Comic fans aren't nerds. True nerds would know what the 'Trolley Problem' is and its significance to ethics. If only information was free on the internet...
Yeah... I found that weird too. Sup's... you just killed thousands of people in that tumble with Zod. Its that moment in Invincible with Omniman putting Invincible's face through a subway train of people.
How many times does it need to be said? Superman does NOT "reverse the rotation of the Earth." That scene is a representation of Superman reversing TIME.
Just like he did in the comics at the time. As Superboy he regularly traveled to the 30th century to join the Legion of Superheroes.
I don’t think the video suggests the wrong thing.
I just said the same thing.
Snyder says we're living in a dream world. No, we're living in reality. That's why people go to be entertained and taken into a dream world sometimes. Some people need to not be involved in making films about these characters.
This is one your best videos ever. A magnum opus if you will. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I remember walking out of Man of Steel in cinema feeling quite hollow. It didn’t ‘feel’ like the Superman I knew. I get what Snyder was trying to achieve but it just didn’t resonate.
geesh man. this hit hard. a really deep and important video. great job ryan.
Honestly the fact that you hadn't done this one before made me assume it was being saved for when Gunn's movie would come out since it seemed to be one of the most obvious scene fights ever.
I agree, the way Pa Kent dies in Man of Steel is moronic.
IMO the real big difference is Jonathan Kent Death !
One teach a lesson, no matter how powerful you are, fate is beyond your control, you are not God.
And the other, it is okay to let your father die for no reason under the cover of "protecting your secret". You are a god walking among men after all.
And Richard Donner is a competent filmmaker, Zack Snyder is a juvenil hack
Wow thats what you got from both scenes? Thats interesting. From MOS I got "choice". When does Clark act to save others and when shouldn't he act to save others. I thoughts everyone understood that scene was a play on the choices Clark makes with his powers.
@@gohanson27in typical Snyder fashion it's done in a way that he thought would look iconic & cool rather than a way that makes rational sense under examination or serves the purpose of the narrative (well, it sorta fits his narrative, the revisionist Superman, but not even really that since the decision not to save him to preserve his secret is made for him). He had him die in a way where Clark could have intervened but is told not to instead of a way where he was truly powerless to save him, rewriting Superman from 'you have an obligation to help people' into a dumb libertarian 'look out for yourself first' lesson. It's very Great Man Superman, as has been the thesis of SC's largely correct critique of Man of Steel all along.
@@mediumvillain but isn't that the same thing Donner did? My problem with the '78 Superman film is that he tels and show us on one hand Superman can't save everyone but on the other hand he saves Lois Lane a woman he just met with h reversing time by spinning the earth backwards. He didn't know what affect it would have on the world but selfishly did it to save his crush. I think that was sloppy and a cop out of Superman making choices. But I guess that wasn't the theme of Donner film. Donner more looked at the power of Superman while Zack focused on the choices Clark makes to become Superman. I get where both directors were coming from on but I think both were done sloppy.
@@gohanson27 I mean ppl have been making fun of Superman reversing time in that scene for quite a long time. I'm definitely not arguing on behalf of Donner's Superman being immaculate.
@@gohanson27also Superman reversing time was something Donner was going to used in a Superman movie, but it wasn’t going to be the first movie. The sequence was original going to be used in the second movie. Richard Donner was filming both Superman I & II at the same time. Some days they were filming scenes for the first movie and on other days, they would film scenes for the second movie. Eventually Donner ran out of money and so in order to have a finished first Superman movie; some scenes filmed for movie II were now included as part of the first Superman movie
What a great video! Really appreciated.
Christopher Reeve is the best live action Superman to embrace the big screen. His Superman show the audience who Superman really is, while Cavill's Superman showed the audience how they would preserve him if he were real. Both movies are very interesting but Superman 1978 I feel had the better story. It's the movie who got me started with Superman while Kevin Conroy got me started with Batman with the 90s animated series. Christan Bale would later bring that similar take with The Dark Knight Trilogy but in a more realistic world. That's why Christopher Reeve and Christan Bale are my top favorite live action Batman and Superman.
BEST...SCREENCRUSH....SEGMENT...EVER. As a pastor and huge comic fan, I totally agree with the difference between the two Supermen and inspiration does matter. In such a divided climate where no one simply has conversations with one another to peacefully discuss differences, the 78 Superman reminded us that we all have value as humans and are united in the world. Hope is a real thing. Thanks for the great content.
There's no superman movie without the superman music. My biggest disappointment with man of steel versions
I can't even remember the Zimmer score. But I was humming the Williams score while leaving the theater.
That piano in man of steel it’s so good
The first "Flight" music in the film is the best part of the score.
Ever since I watched man of steel, I had a hard time liking any DC films from synderverse. Your points and comparisons are wonderfully articulated. Thank you for making this video.
Beautifully done
Excellent video!
Snyder is a cynic. There was no joy in Man of Steel. Donner and Mankiewicz were optimists. They saw Superman as an allegory of what we could all aspire to be. I’m wondering where this new reboot will take us. Hopefully, a place with awe and wonder.
Hell, I like Man of Steel because I'm not American and I was born in Eastern Europe so Superman 1978 was never shown here unlike Man of Steel and the 1996 animated series.
So let's hate and wish me bad Circassians that I'm not like you.
I respectfully think you missed the point of parts of MOS. Clark is not weighing his happiness against saving the world. He is considering the potential consequences of his actions outweighing (in very bad ways outside of his control) the initial action itself. Discussing this conflict with the preacher when he’s confronted with the threat of Zod, the preacher tells him that he may have to have faith. And it’s Lois’ selfless protection of his identity that gives him the faith to know that at least some portion of humanity will help him do what is right. It’s not about personal happiness… it’s about an even greater responsibility, and that no actions of a Godlike being are simple and without larger ramifications. BVS challenges this even further and tests his faith and convictions to the near breaking point.
I meant faith to “believe” not faith to “know”.
I remember seeing Superman in the theater. It was 78 so I guess I was 6 at the time. The Lois death scene, Superman screaming, and then flying around the Earth to reverse time (with no score below it, mind you) was incredibly profound to me. I never forgot that breathless feeling. And I didn't even like DC, I was a Marvel kid!😄
Obviously John Williams is the GOAT of movie scores. But Hans Zimmer is no slouch...
Hell, I like Man of Steel because I'm not American and I was born in Eastern Europe so Superman 1978 was never shown here unlike Man of Steel and the 1996 animated series.
So let's hate and wish me bad Circassians that I'm not like you.
This is one of if not the best video from you guys I’ve ever watched. I wish I could like the video twice. Kudos mahn!
I’m sorry but that first Avengers might be the greatest comic book movie of all time just in terms of pure entertainment value. Great writing, great villain, great character dynamics, VFX still look great, score is iconic, legendary scenes and quotes and that 360 shot defined 2010s blockbusters. Yeah that movie is GOATED just based off that short Hulk clip 😭😭😭😭
Great video! Thanks!
I'm gonna keep this short and sweet... I agree with you on this, 100%.
I've never cared for Snyders take on Superman, or any of the other Snyderverse films.
Only now do I understand why... Ayn Rand. That explains soooo much.
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 EXCELLENT video, sir! Nail on the head!
When Zach had Superman turn his back on humanity in BvS, it annoyed me so much because regardless of how much humanity hates him, he’d NEVER give up on humanity because of the love he has for Lois, his parents, Jimmy and just humanity in general. He was raised by humans with pure and unconditional love so Clark and Superman both that pure and unconditional love for humanity. I’m not saying we shouldn’t have a flawed Superman/Clark who makes morally gray decisions, however, those decisions should still be within the scope of who the character is and not a deconstruction of a beloved character because you think it’d be cool or edgy, that’s a completely new character you’ve created which is why ppl couldn’t connect with DCEU Superman on a mass scale.
Reeve embodied everything that Superman is. I honestly like Cavill but not his version of the icon. The closest thing to Donner's take is Tyler Hoechlin.
Love man of steel, I definitely feel like they screwed up getting rid of Henry
I completely agree... I also think Cavil was totally done dirty by Sneiders version of superman. Cavil is one of us. A nerd who just wants to play his heroes on screen... and he's good at it. Here's hoping that Marvel treats him as the gem he is... the perfect lens for what nerds could hope to be.
i love that dog. i was just skipping through the video looking for him
Reeve will always be my Superman. The 78 movie was just such a perfect passion project for all involved. Donner knew the assignment and I feel Gunn does as well. Looking forward to the new film coming this year. Hopefully it has the same magic that the Donner version did all those years ago.
I feel like Jor-El pronouncing Krypton the way he did, made it more awesome, like that is how it is actually supposed to be pronounced.
Sorry. It wasn't like that. Marlon Brando was so uninterested in working in this movie that he didn't care to learn the right pronunciation of it. He barely showed up and then vanished, without making any effort to do a good job. His first critic was Christopher Reed himself! He said it publicly in tv interviews.
Great video, I completely agree with you!
I’m surprised you didn’t make the tie in on how the movie was shot also. That lifeless tone all throughout is the underscore to your point of MOS.
Couldn't have said it any better Ryan thank you.
Chris Reeves... man hearing you talk about it... this sort of thing always brings a tear.
Reeve. No S on his name. I heard somewhere that Christopher Reeve really had an issue with people saying Reeves instead of Reeve.
I totally understand that feeling. I hate when people call me Richard Marx instead of Mark.
I also think he had an issue with people comparing him to the original TV Superman, George Reeves (with an S)
I’m sure he didn’t like being associated with that George’s tragedy even on a subconscious level.
Reeve
I enjoyed Man of Steel, but never felt uplifted like I normally do with Supes media. Superman and Lois, for example, presented a Superman more in with 78. As a result, it was, at times, a moving show. Cavill was great in the role. I always thought he was a great Superman in need of a good script
Spot on, Arey!! Well done, sir. Every single point was spot on. I hope james gunns version will cement Snyders Ayn Rand Superman in its place. Cavills great still.
FANTASTIC VIDEO!!! I cannot voice my appreciation and agreement with this video enough. This is the perfect comparison. I was also excited when I heard about MOS, but quickly checked out for the same reasons. My checkout scene was probably when young Clark is playing with a cape on and strikes the Superman pose. He would have no reference for this and in Superman is the reason a kid plays with a cape so it made no sense, but I agree with everything you said and believe this video should be a required watch for any future Superman or DC producers in the future. I'm curious of your take on Superman Returns as I think it struck the right tone, but did have it's issues. I loved seeing it in the theater and walked out very satisfied whereas with MOS I was really let down. Again great vid I'm definitely a new subscriber!!
Superman Returns had the bad fortune of being sandwiched between the most beloved Superman movies and the most despised Superman movie. Routh was actually a very good Superman and Clark Kent.
I loved your video! I also love Superman 78, my favorite superhero movie of all time
Such good insight about what the '78 film did well (and how well Christopher Reeve did it.) You really get to the heart of Superman, with a deep understanding of who he is -- and why he was created. Excellent job.
Great job examining that scene with Louis. God. We don’t see that anymore
Great video! This video articulated every single feeling I have had about why Christopher Reeve still ranks supreme as the true Man of Steel and why Zach Snyders Man of Steel didn't resonate with as many people. You nailed it big time. So much more depth and explanation than I never thought of, but was probably stored in the subconcious mind. Reeve personified the ultimate human spirit of good and personal sacrifice....while Zach was trying to go against the grain and create a Superman that was not grounded in the character. However, he did tap into an audience that is tired of "good" and showing a more humanistic approach to dealing with problems. Unfortunately, that makes him a regular human being with flaws that Superman does not have the liberty of taking. Great video!
Superman '78 wanted to make us care about a literal god that can fly in a blue/red suit. MOS took the cynical approach and wanted a Superman that doubts himself and humanity. Its easy to see why Superman '78 remains popular to this day compared to MOS which is routinely mocked. Pa Kents death in Superman '78 is perfect. Pa Kents death in MOS is a laugh out loud moment that makes you question the lack of intelligence behind the camera.
Hell, I like Man of Steel because I'm not American and I was born in Eastern Europe so Superman 1978 was never shown here unlike Man of Steel and the 1996 animated series.
So let's hate and wish me bad Circassians that I'm not like you.
Call me crazy, I preferred the Brandon Routh movie. With something like 30 yrs since seeing Superman on the screen, I really enjoyed it.
Justice League Dark VS Multiverse of Madness! Superhero Horror Stories!
The Super Mario Bros. Movie VS Sonic the Hedgehog 2!
Love and Thunder VS Fury of the Gods! Thor VS Shazam!
You create some of the rare great videos! Keep up the good work!!!
Thank you Screen Crush for this video big fan of the channel. I’m also a huge Superman fan and I could not agree with this video more. Thank you I feel Man of Steel miss represented Superman so badly I’m glad to see the view of Superman changing again finally I think ‘My Adventures with Superman’ & ‘Superman and Lois’ have brought him back to the hero he’s always been & away from this individual first Ayn Rand nightmare verison
Good video. I grew up watching the OG Superman and he was my favorite. I get why people don't like Man of Steel, but I really l like that one too. I'm glad you at least understood where Snyder was coming from.
It's my favorite superman movie, and superman is also my favorite SH
Great video 😊thanks ❤👍💯
Jesus is not a myth. That said, great breakdown about the fictional character, Superman.
Amen
Jesus is the Son of God
Great video. I really agree with your analysis.
Your take is spot on! Superman 78 is my favorite superhero movie too! I wish that the new DCU would give us a live version of the Super Friends with good plots and character formations.
Hell, I like Man of Steel because I'm not American and I was born in Eastern Europe so Superman 1978 was never shown here unlike Man of Steel and the 1996 animated series.
So let's hate and wish me bad Circassians that I'm not like you.
100% in point. Yes. Some people incorrectly think that because Man of Steel was the first introduction to young kids that that is why they grew up to love it more than the Christopher Reeve version however that is not true which I will prove now, when I was a little boy I used to watch the reruns of the George Reeves 1950s Superman which they replayed 20 and 30 years later, that was my first introduction to a real live action superman, but when I saw Christopher Reeve portray Superman next, that blew my mind and he became the real life Superman for me, so even though I was introduced to a different actor playing Superman when I saw Christopher Reeves instantly I knew he was the one!
i love how snyder fans shit on wonder woman the flash and shazam fotg's. all of which unnderstood their respective superheroes way more.
"I just wish you could all see the world as I see."
Great take, as always, Ryan.
Totally with you on this. Superman not based on selfish sinisicm but based on hope and optimism...frankly and especially right now this is what WE NEED
Paul Kent?
I thought it was Johnathan?
'78 is superior and Superman's line of "Don't thank me, Warden. We're all part of the SAME team" perfectly encapsulates who Superman is and what he is to the people of Earth. He works FOR humanity...not above them.
I think he's trying to say Pa Kent, not Paul Kent.
To be fair to Snyder, most of Man of Steel’s problems come from Goyer’s script. Nolan and Goyer developed the story before Snyder was even hired
Don't tell people that. It's easier for them to blame everything on Snyder. Just like WB forcing him to do BVS instead of man of steel 2
By the way, did you know that Superman also killed Zod in the comics?
He even discussed it with Specter, that Zod left him no choice.
I enjoyed this video very much and wholeheartedly agree. Thank you.
This. My bro is a MoS fan and I just hate that movie and Snyder for how he treated Superman. Cavill is the perfect Superman casting for our era, but Snyder just messed it up. When my bro asked me why, I used the points listed. MoS is a bad Superman representation for the modern era. When I heard Snyder was attached I was excited cause 300, Watchmen, I really enjoyed those movies, but this was not it. I wanted a Superman movie not a desaturated man movie.
Hell, I like Man of Steel because I'm not American and I was born in Eastern Europe so Superman 1978 was never shown here unlike Man of Steel and the 1996 animated series.
So let's hate and wish me bad Circassians that I'm not like you.
Yo this video was way more interesting than i planned ot to be!! You broke down things i didnt even think of!!
Quick correction: Superman 1978 did not reverse the rotation of the earth. Superman went back in time the reverse spinning of the Earth was his perception of the time change.
Yes! I'm amazed people still get this wrong.
But that’s such a big plot hole, if he indeed can go back in time went just go back to save Lois why not go back to stop the detonation of the nuclear device that started the chain event that lead to her being trapped not to mention all those souls that died from it. He literally went back in time to save one person that was important to him, thus negating Ryan’s argument of putting the needs of others before his own. He could’ve chose to save others but only saved her
Very well said Ryan 😊