Philosophical Discussion of a Film Man of Steel - Essay Example

? Philosophical discussion of a film (Man of Steel, I am writing about the movie Man of Steel in different contexts which I felt while watchingthis Superman movie. Critics have various points to draw a line but it always needs to justify about our personal feeling while watching a movie (Snyder). Though I am not here to defend about the movie Man of Steel but I will definitely give reasons to justify my points. I believe every human being has their own perspective and point of view to claim for. But it is true that I thoroughly enjoyed the movie. This one superhero movie where I got no chance to doze off. The creation of an ideal superman and the philosophy of fighting for the good fo all and even killing for the same despite all personal feelings comprise the final theme of the movie. The ending might be controversial in some respects but the paper will defend his actions apart from relating my personal feelings regarding the same. The superman shows us a controversial philosophy of dealing with injustice with a bold face and taking the toughest decision of killing for good. The very concept behind the creation of a superman lies in something greater than human. But greater than human in what way is the main concern, i.e. should a superman be born with a bigger and wiser outlook towards life? Do we want to see him as more physically powerful than normal human beings or more psychological strong or be extremely benevolent and kind hearted which we are not capable of. We see a superman in our eyes and in our ways. My idea of a superman is someone who is extremely powerful and can easily kill but will not kill and show his power unnecessarily. The provocation to show his power should be extremely strong in order to actually pour out his strength and go for a killing. Here the superman fits this criteria perfectly well and kills for a reason bigger than personal benefit. So here the superman is kind hearted and shows personal feelings for the loss like other human beings but he knows what is good for the world and does exactly that without being concerned about his personal gains. It is important to give ample chance to the victim for rectifying his mistakes and the superhero did the same too unlike he ormal state laws where a criminal is arrested and might be shot down without giving a fair chance for correction. So he is above the conventions and reason of human law. At this point I believe the Man of Steel satisfies the audience psychologically in being the super hero. A true hero whom people can idolize and worship and most importantly learn from under similar circumstances. This summer we got the pleasure to satisfy our fantasy instinct through the hero of the superheroes none other than Superman. Though the title Man of Steel nowhere reflects any indications of Superman in it, but the title itself re-boots the idea of the mystery and re-imagination of the background within it. This movie is the idea of a new version of the ever imaginative Superman story. Director Zack Synder tried to unfold his imagination which audience wants to see in their real life. Now there are several questions which has been arrived. Critics have various points to rate a film. This gets a first critical view in the aspect that it shows superman in a totally different aspect. The major critic that took place is that superman here is very serious, conservative, always frustrated, chiseled and handsome but not interested in any kind of romantic affairs. He is always trying to defend the planet earth from the evil eyes of Krypton another imaginary planet from where actually superman belongs to. But as he became the son of the earth and got attached with the upbringing atmosphere he now took this as a duty to protect earth from any bad force. Many critics have complained about the movie that the movie has too much action which was not actually required. But according to my point of view I will say that though it was full of action but the use of the plot was good and effective. This is because I think the director wanted to satisfy the viewers. This kind of movies is actually satisfying because it will not lead you to urge for more. Synder is a man who always likes to experiment with his movies. In his previous films also, like 300 and Watchmen he put emphasis to his own imagination and gave effort to make actions more effective. I think it is the way he likes to differentiate his films from others. Coming to Man of Steel it is the story, which breaks the idea of the previous Superman movies. The movie starts with the emergence of Krypton, a planet with all fantasy inflected within it with all types of gray and black Matrix looking like hovercrafts. The story contrasts about Superman’s Kryptonian origins and his bringing up on Earth. General Zod represented as the Kryptonian leader. Kryptonian society is actually a platonic culture designed in such a way that no natural birth will take place. Children are created in an artificial manner with specific characters and ability as per the demand of the society. Zod played a negative role here who wanted to be the most powerful Kryptonian and rule on the planet. On the other hand Jor El and his wife Lara was trying to save Krypton from the artificial means and thus was trying to convince the government of the planet General Zod that the environmental condition of the planet is deteriorating which is leading the planet’s core to melt. Jor El and Lara wanted to save the planet Krypton, hence broke the protocol and gave natural birth to their son, the future Superman. Their imagination was strong as they symbolized their son as a symbol of hope, inspiring other people to follow his footsteps and live their life to the fullest according to their will and power. So from this context I can say that here it was all about the freedom of life which Jor El wanted to bring into Krypton through Kal-El the Superman. Now Kal El is sent to the earth by Jor and Lara to keep him away and safe from Zod. After which it showed that Krypton destroyed and General Zod got prisoned for his doings. Now Kal El brought up in a family on earth as Clark. Despite of knowing of his power Clark could not show it to the world because it might trap him into trouble. In this context the film showed that he even lost his father Jonathon Kent in a calamity in front of his eyes. He could have saved his father easily by means of his powers but just to keep his father’s words about not to disclose his power to the world, till the world is not ready to accept it. He remains shut. This plot according to my point of view has been crafted very nicely because they tried to show how a father son relation reflects on such plot and that was very heart wrenching as well. Clark was found in the garden of Kent’s house when he was arrived to earth from Krypton and was raised by them as their own legal and natural child. Later when Clark was struggling for his identity he found the cave where he met with the image of Jor El his original father, and came to know about his identity. He gave him the cape and the tights with a real show man’s sense and addressed him as Kal El the Superman in real.This is where the story takes another turn. The irony of father son relation played a vital role here. I must say this was quite beautifully encrypted as it shows in the later part how man of two planets is managing between the deeds and trying to find his purpose of his birth. Next I’ll come to the point of visual effects. This is a film which is worth watching in terms of visual effects. Technology has brought us to see various innovations in the virtual aspect. The visual effect on the action scenes created a magic which I must say is a pleasure to the eyes. According to my opinion the actions depicted in the movie were even better than last years movie Avengers. Unlike other superhero movies here romance takes a back seat. Though Lois is an important character of a senior level journalist, Man of Steel reflects the masculine power exclusively. Even the in role of mother, Marianne Kent did not put much effort as she was seen only a few times in the film. So at this point a question might arise as to why females have been given so less importance. It might be because it is the 2013 concept superhero story which the film tried to represent to the viewers so that they can come out of their stereotypical thought. In a philosophical point of view the story of Superman here portrays an inner meaning. The films show that it took Kal El 33 years to get his answers and reveal about him. Thus it is important to understand being superman is not easy. It is like a journey and not a destination. He is the man who stands for life for loyalty and goodness which makes him Superman. Now coming to the end part of the film which made the film more controversial, where he takes the ultimate action by killing Zod. The scene was perfectly ended showing that Superman started crying after killing Zod. What was mean by that? As Superman represents the symbol of non violence and goodness in the mankind, he is not supposed to kill even the evil one. His duty is to save the world from evil but not by killing them. This is where the ultimate moment arises, when he was in dilemma in taking the decision “to kill or not to kill” Zod. I must support Superman and do not think he made any mistake by killing Zod because he had no other option. Zod gave him a choice either Superman will choose Krypton or he will choose earth. He was in a situation where he had to kill Zod or else he will destroy the entire nation. There was no other way to stop him permanently as he was continuing with the destruction. And at last he took the most difficult decision of his life by killing him. Hence, in a philosophical context it may be asked like why Superman killed Zod? Was he right while taking such harsh decision? To go with the context must say in such condition, taking immediate and correct decision is the most important thing. If he wouldn’t have killed Zod then he would undoubtedly smash the entire nation. Superman tried his best to make him understand and stop him in every possible way but he could not stop him. And at last without any choice he had to take the harsh decision. It’s not that he just killed him for sake, he killed him with a purpose to save the world. Here we can relate this context with our daily life by comparing with person who have given the power to protect us from evil like police officers, soldiers, army men and the government. Sometime certain situations may arise when police had to use the optional lethal force to save the nation to protect us from various attacks, which can be a terrorist attack or robbery, burglary etc. In such context I do not think Superman took a wrong decision or that can make him flawed anyway. Therefore I must say that it is not possible every time to solve every problem by means of goodness. In such context critics might give some other points but I think this is the life we have to learn from it. It is very easy to say “thou shall not kill” but it is very hard to live by such a comment. Thus superman shows us the way to take the right decision in terms of saving the world. Work Cited Snyder, Zack (director), Goyer, David S. Man of Steel, 2013, Warner Bros. Read More