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Henry Cavill had many spectacular moments of heroism in his portrayal of Superman. Cavill was first seen as The Last Son of Krypton in Zack Snyder’s 2013 film Man of Steel, with Cavill reprising the role in the 2016 follow-up Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. 2017’s Justice League did great harm to the DCU with its extensive reshoots and the behind-the-scenes controversies, but the 2021 release of Snyder’s cut of the movie, titled Zack Snyder’s Justice League, finally showed the pay-off Snyder was planning for Cavill’s Superman.
Despite Cavill finally returning as Superman for a cameo in Black Adam, he would, unfortunately, depart the role once more, with a new DCU Superman movie without Cavill being written (and possibly directed) by DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn. Though Cavill’s Superman tenure has been sadly truncated, the impression he left in Man of Steel, Batman v Superman, and Zack Snyder’s Justice League is an undeniably significant chapter of Superman’s storied legacy on film.
10/10 The Superman Montage – Batman v Superman
After Man of Steel, the world is left sharply divided on a Kryptonian living among humans in Batman v Superman, with even his Superman’s rescues inspiring debate. Batman v Superman‘s montage of Superman saving lives around the world as talking heads debate about him is an obvious homage to The Dark Knight Returns. With Superman staying true to his comic book origins, the montage also underscores the themes of the movie itself. Some see Superman as an alien who could bring humanity to its knees, others look to him as a savior in a dark world. Superman, though, simply sees himself as “A guy trying to do the right thing.”
9/10 Batman vs. Superman – Batman v Superman
The showdown of Batman and Superman was inspired greatly by their battle in Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns and emerged as a thunderously powerful superhero brawl. Like no other big-screen Batman, Ben Affleck’s Dark Knight is a warrior not to be underestimated. Superman’s smirk after Batman’s kryptonite gas wears off also adds a touch of humor to the fight. The much debated Martha moment (which the Snyder Cut later reversed) will likely remain so for years to come, but the humanity it reveals in both Batman and Superman shows the movie’s emotional core and enlivens it as “The greatest gladiator match in the history of the world.“
8/10 Superman’s Sacrifice – Batman v Superman
Even with the early trailers for Batman v Superman revealing that Doomsday would arrive to wreak havoc on the world, the fact that the film was the first to bring the actual death of Superman to the big screen still came as a huge surprise. Still, as a culmination of the Man of Steel’s arc in Batman v Superman, Superman making the ultimate sacrifice to stop the DCU’s practically radioactive version of Doomsday is essential to his story. As the world and the reformed Batman grieve the loss of a true hero, Superman’s memorial sums up his essence perfectly: “If you seek his monument, look around you.“
7/10 Superman vs. the Justice League – Zack Snyder’s Justice League
There was never any doubt that Superman would return in Zack Snyder’s Justice League, and his revival has the added bonus of being one of Cavill’s best Superman action scenes. The League using their powers in tandem with one another is always fun, while the might of the amnesia-stricken Superman standing his ground against them single-handedly is an awe-inspiring display of the Man of Steel’s strength. Superman’s speed also comes into play with the literally eye-catching moment of he and The Flash (Ezra Miller) battling at super speed.
6/10 Superman vs. General Zod – Man of Steel
Man of Steel is easily the most action-packed Superman movie, with his final brawl with Michael Shannon’s version of General Zod being as powerful a battle of Kryptonians as there has ever been. As with the film itself, the level of destruction in Man of Steel remains a polarizing topic, but with Superman facing an enemy like Zod, such destruction is simply inescapable. Superman snapping Zod’s neck hits hard, too, with Zod a man with nothing left to lose and Superman mourning that he was forced to kill the last of his kind to save the world.
5/10 The Justice League’s Triumphant Final Stand – Zack Snyder’s Justice League
The Snyder Cut is a true slice of film history with its unique path to release. One of the best moments is the Justice League’s triumphant final stand like the gods of Mount Olympus at the end of the movie. With the Snyder Cut’s changes from the theatrical cut and the unique circumstances of its release, the shot of the camera panning across each hero takes on a deeper meaning of the movie itself, overcoming the odds against it. For both Cavill’s Superman and the entire Justice League, the hero shot at the end of Zack Snyder’s Justice League will forever stand tall.
4/10 Superman Dons The Black Suit – Zack Snyder’s Justice League
While Justice League‘s theatrical cut saw Superman return in his classic red and blue suit, Snyder sought to stay true to the comics with the black suit being Superman’s suit of choice after his memorable resurrection. With a little post-production recoloring, the Snyder Cut brought to life Superman’s black and silver suit. His emergence from the scout ship also leads to a hope-filled reprise of Man of Steel‘s first flight scene, Superman guided by the voices of his fathers Jor-El (Russell Crowe) and Jonathan Kent (Kevin Costner) to fly once more.
3/10 Destroying The World Engine – Man of Steel
In Man of Steel, facing General Zod and army of his fellow Kryptonians intent on terraforming Earth to rebuild their home world, Superman must stop the World Engine despite its sheer power and the weakening effect it has on him. Superman has shown many displays of his vast power levels in film before. Still, it is a true sight to behold to see Superman call upon every fiber of his strength to overcome the World Engine in one of the most awe-inspiring displays of Superman’s strength ever.
2/10 “Not Impressed” – Zack Snyder’s Justice League
Superman’s arrival to the League’s final battle with Ciarán Hinds’s Steppenwolf (visually changed for the Snyder Cut) is a true crowd-pleasing moment, with Superman swooping down to block Steppenwolf’s axe strike on Cyborg (Ray Fisher) and dryly responding “Not impressed.” Junkie XL’s rendition of “An Ideal of Hope” is the most triumphant version of the Man of Steel theme ever composed and enlivens the final showdown with fist-pumping joy as Superman unleashes his full might against Steppenwolf. Superman’s confidence, hopefulness, and joy are essential to who he is, and Superman’s arrival to the final battle of Zack Snyder’s Justice League shows all three.
1/10 “First Flight” – Man of Steel
Cavill’s most unforgettable Superman moment remains his debut in the classic red and blue suit in Man of Steel‘s first flight scene. Zimmer’s powerful score adds a heavy punch to the first time Kal-El takes to the skies. The narration of Jor-El also foretells Cavill’s Superman inspiring the world as a symbol of hope and leading mankind to “accomplish wonders,” which also teases Superman’s ending in Snyder’s intended arc for him. Without question, Man of Steel‘s first flight scene is one of the purest Superman moments ever put to film and Henry Cavill’s personal best moment as Superman.
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