Thursday, May 9, 2013

Trailer #3 Unveiled at CinemaCon


Highlighting Warner Brothers' presentation at last month's CinemaCon was none other than Superman, as the studio unveiled the third (and potentially final) full-length trailer for Man of Steel.  With a running time of a little over three minutes, the trailer gave viewers a first listen to Hans Zimmer's powerful new score as well as an impressive glimpse of the super-powered action that was deemed as lacking in previously released footage.  The following is an analysis of the trailer's most memorable insights and exchanges:

Krypton
Not much explicit detail has been shown on film about Superman's home planet, but it's clear that will change with Man of Steel.  The trailer begins with a few soft, somber piano notes as the future hero's father, Jor-El (Russell Crowe) looks hopelessly out at the chaos engulfing his planet, explosions and violence filling the horizon.  Then a quick shot of a flying creature (which looks like something straight out of Avatar) is seen sweeping through the sky, this brief glimpse of Krypton's wildlife likely used to show viewers an example of the majestic, alien wonders of the advanced civilization.  It is likely in these moments that the father chooses to send his infant son, Kal-El, out to a world that, unlike their own, has a chance to survive.  What follows are touching moments of Jor-El and wife Lara (Ayelet Zurer) saying their last goodbyes to their son as they accept their dismal fates and send the boy on a journey that will forever change the faraway planet Earth.

Lois on Assignment
Until now the only footage we had seen of Amy Adams as Lois Lane was a fleeting glance in the previous trailer (see post #2) where she stands in front of Superman and slowly reaches for his hand, appearing either shocked, worried, or both.  In this trailer, however, we see Lois in action while hearing a brief narration from the journalist herself.  The footage gives us a little more insight into elements of the plot, as Lois appears to be investigating a certain elusive man said to be capable of amazing feats.  In one shot she looks to have stumbled upon Superman's Fortress of Solitude, shining her flashlight on some icy tunnels.  It is an interesting glimpse into the plot, as it suggests that her first interaction with Clark Kent/Superman may not be from being saved by him as the costumed hero, or from meeting her new co-worker at the Daily Planet.

Action!
Follower's of the film's development had been long clamoring for some eye-popping action, and this trailer certainly delivers.  Shown in very quick shots that manage to succeed in not giving away too many plot details and accompanied by the rising charge of Zimmer's score, we are shown Superman having to battle the super-powered assaults of General Zod and his followers as well as being targeted by America's military. Explosions, spaceships, and mid-air fighting are rampant, and tell us that we will finally see the volume of action that would be expected of a Superman film.  It is interesting to note that the trailer ends with a few devastating punches from the Man of Steel to his enemies, and was likely shown in this footage to help address one of the most common complaints of the last film showcasing the hero, 2006's Superman Returns, in which he never throws a single blow.

Interview/Friendly Interrogation     
The trailer concludes with the first spoken interaction we've seen between Superman and Lois Lane, presumably after he has allowed himself to be apprehended by the military.  Sitting in an interrogation-type room being viewed by people on the other side of the glass (perhaps to show a reverse in tone to the memorable Batman-Joker scene in The Dark Knight), he explains to Lois that the symbol on his chest is not simply an "S," but is rather, on his home planet, a symbol of hope.  It will thus be interesting to see how exactly Clark learns of Krypton's heritage, and how or to what extent it differs from past portrayals.  The footage here, although brief, shows a strong indication of the chemistry between Henry Cavill and Adams, with the somewhat flirty tone of the exchange suggesting the future relationship of the hero and revered journalist.

Another Classic Villain to Appear? 
Fans have spotted the LexCorp building in the distance as Metropolis is being assaulted, seen at the trailer's 2:18 mark.  Is this Man of Steel's version of the Joker card being shown at the end of Batman Begins?  Will Lex Luther have a cameo in the film, or is this just a hint at possible sequels to come?  Time will tell.

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