Witness the birth of a franchise.
If anything can be gleaned from the new "Man of Steel" trailer, it's that Superman is in for the best reboot since "Batman Begins."
There's plenty for both serious comic book lovers and casual fans, and there are strong hints at a storyline that emphasizes the grey morality and deep ethical conundrums that face someone as powerful as Superman--issues that often get glossed over when Clark is portrayed as a simple flying Boy Scout.
The trailer begins with a young Clark, already a good sign, because some of the most powerful Superman stories occur before he comes into his own, before he knows who he is, before he knows that he's not a freak, before he's decided to be that shining example we know he eventually becomes.
And Christopher Nolan's story seems to emphasize that decision. After Clark apparently saves a bus full of his schoolmates (always with the buses, Kal-El?), a mother threatens to out his abilities.
Jonathan Kent, played by Kevin Costner, cautions Clark against revealing himself in the future.
"What was I supposed to do, just let them die?" asks Clark.
Jonathan responds, "Maybe."
That might be shocking to fans of the comics. Superman's adoptive father Jonathan is often one of the main influences on Clark's extremely ethical outlook and his constant efforts to do the right thing, even at his own expense.
Jonathan isn't telling Clark that he shouldn't save people; he's telling him to consider that he doesn't have to. And a Superman who protects people because he wants to, not because he has to, is a real hero.
He could rule this little world, like General Zod--an intense Michael Shannon--and Faora plan to.
But instead, he gives himself up to Earthly authority, allowing himself to be handcuffed, even though forged metal can't hold him.
Superman doesn't speak on screen in this trailer, but judging from the voiceover, Henry Cavill sounds the part, more thoughtful than tortured, and confident in his decisions once he's made them.
He also looks the part, too, with his chin cleft and dark curlicues.
And comics experts will love the take on Superman's flight. For the first time in a film, Superman's personal gravity field appears, lifting sand and debris around him before he takes off.
Hopefully the storyline lives up to the hype, too, after the disappointment of "Super Returns," which saw another lackluster Lex Luthor scheme and a ridiculous mountain of kryptonite.
Watch the full trailer below.
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