Man of Steel: 7 Glaring Flaws That Once Seen, Cannot Be Unseen

Zack Snyder's 2013 epic, Man of Steel, was a monumental reintroduction of Superman to the big screen, a gritty, grounded, and often breathtaking take on the iconic hero. It promised a new era for the DC Extended Universe, packed with incredible visuals and a darker tone. Yet, for all its ambition, the film left many fans scratching their heads, and some moments, once noticed, are impossible to ignore.

Prepare to have your perspective altered as we revisit seven critical flaws in Man of Steel that, once seen, you'll never be able to unsee.

First up is the contentious climax: Superman's Neck-Snapping Dilemma. The very notion of Superman, the beacon of hope and morality, taking a life—especially that of General Zod—sent shockwaves through the fandom.

While the film attempts to justify it as a last resort to save innocent lives, the visual of Kal-El snapping Zod’s neck, coupled with his anguished scream, felt deeply antithetical to the character's core values for many. It's a moment that fundamentally redefines Superman's boundaries, for better or worse, and forever haunts the hero's initial foray into this new cinematic universe.

Then there's the bewildering case of General Swanwick's Unsaved Demise.

In the film's chaotic finale, Superman heroically swoops in to save Lois Lane from the plummeting Black Zero ship, demonstrating his incredible speed and power. Yet, moments earlier, the very same ship brutally crashed into the building housing General Swanwick, killing him instantly. The glaring question arises: if Superman could snatch Lois out of the air, why was Swanwick, a crucial military leader and a seemingly good man, not afforded the same protection? This selective heroism creates an unsettling inconsistency that's hard to reconcile.

Our third unmissable mistake revolves around The Black Zero's Terraforming Machine.

Zod's terrifying world engine is designed to transform Earth into a new Krypton. However, its design and method of operation are bafflingly impractical. The machine drills into the Earth's core, yet also emits a gravitational beam from above ground. Why this two-pronged, visually distinct, and seemingly redundant approach? The sheer illogic of its functionality, coupled with its conspicuous presence, makes it feel like an overly dramatic plot device rather than a believable alien technology.

Next on our list is Jonathan Kent's Tragic Tornado Tango.

In a pivotal flashback, Jonathan Kent, Clark's adoptive father, is caught in a tornado. Rather than allowing his super-powered son to save him (which Clark clearly could have done without revealing his powers), Jonathan actively prevents Clark from acting, choosing to die to protect his son's secret.

While intended as a poignant moment of sacrifice, the decision feels forced and unnecessary, leading many to question if a more sensible, less self-destructive path could have been taken to achieve the same narrative goal.

The sheer, unbridled destruction during the Smallville Brawl is mistake number five.

The battle between Superman and Faora/Nam-Ek in Smallville is visually spectacular, but it’s also a devastating display of wanton destruction with seemingly no concern for civilian casualties. Buildings are decimated, vehicles are tossed like toys, and the collateral damage is immense. The film largely glosses over the human cost, presenting a Superman who seems surprisingly unconcerned with protecting the very people he's meant to save, making it a difficult scene to watch without cringing at the devastation.

Coming in at number six is a classic villain cliché: Faora's "There's Always a Catch" Line.

During the Smallville fight, Faora utters the painfully generic line, "You are not brave... you're just a man. There's always a catch." This instantly recognizable, almost self-aware villainous trope feels out of place in a film striving for a grounded, serious tone. It pulls you out of the immersive experience, reminding you that you're watching a movie, and sadly, a moment of uninspired dialogue.

Finally, we arrive at Zod's Rapid Superpower Mastery.

Once exposed to Earth's yellow sun, Zod and his Kryptonian cohorts quickly develop the same powers as Superman. While the film provides a brief, disorienting montage of Zod struggling, he seemingly masters flight, super-strength, and heat vision with alarming speed and proficiency, almost instantly matching Superman's years of experience.

This incredibly fast learning curve stretches credulity, making Zod's immediate threat feel less earned and more like a convenient plot advancement.

Man of Steel undeniably made its mark, but these seven elements have lingered in the minds of viewers, transforming from minor quibbles into unforgettable, unseeable flaws.

They've sparked endless debates and continue to shape how we view this foundational chapter of the DCEU. Did you notice them all, or have we just ruined your next rewatch?