Newsflash: Clark Kent is the news

April 17, 2013

In theaters Friday: Oblivion

So the world’s most famous fictional journalist doesn’t report the news, he is the news.

At least, that’s basically what the third and most detail-revealing trailer for the Zack Snyder and Christopher Nolan commandeered Superman franchise relaunch Man of Steel strongly implies. Judging by this clip, Clark Kent’s only tie to Lois Lane (Amy Adams) is that she’s investigating him as some kind of wandering do-gooder who anonymously saves the day then moves on. Kind of like when the car ahead of you pays for your Starbucks, only with a little more, ahem, heavy lifting.

It also appears we’ll be seeing a significant amount of Superman’s home planet where a cataclysmic war is taking place—and with his father (Russell Crowe) playing a role more intrinsic to the narrative than the fatherly cameo done by Marlon Brando in the 1978 original.

Star Henry Cavill certainly looks the part, and it appears he’ll have a fittingly tension-filled report with Adams. The trailer shows some hallmarks of Nolan’s style as exemplified in the recent Dark Knight trilogy. Some of the more fanciful elements of this super hero ethos are either missing or have logical explanations. Kryptonite is nowhere to be found, and that glaringly kitschy “S” on his chest doesn’t stand for “Super.” Spoiler: It isn’t even English. Well, duh.

While the trailer is commendable for showing glimpses of the epic palette on which Snyder is working, as well as for centering on Clark’s internal struggles to find his place in the world and the will to embrace his destiny, what we do not get is a great look at the film’s physical antagonist, the draconian General Zod (Michael Shannon). The result is a preview that is high on atmosphere and character but low on tension. Maybe it is best to keep Zod under wraps. We did get a better feel for this otherworldly villain with the 30-second call for Superman’s head Warner Brothers put out over the weekend. You can watch Zod’s cryptic teaser as well as the full third trailer below.

With a June 14 release date, Man of Steel is less than two months away. Are you ready?