Man of Steel Myths: Clark Should Have Used Super Speed

The film elegantly establishes Clark can't fly by showing him climb. Here's a myriad of examples the film used to help the audience understand Clark's powers and limitations in the same logical fashion. Nonetheless, many claim Clark should have used powers that were never displayed, demonstrated total awareness that was never presented, or employed experience that he plainly didn't have.

Addressing experience, he is called greenhorn three times, Faora and Zod call this out, and it's literally his first day on the job... for a job no one knew would exist (to even train for).

Addressing awareness, we're plainly shown a Clark that can be surprised and isn't all-knowing. What basis is there for judging him on that? It seems like a preconception from outside the story which the film disabuses the audience of almost immediately. That brings us to super speed.

Addressing super speed, we're never shown the kind of speed which could invisibly and safely rescue Jonathan. Yes, strength allows for some greater speed, but that's worlds different from the kind of supernatural speed needed to be undetectable, unidentifiable, or invisible. Additionally, the ability to interact with the world at those speeds without any undesired collateral effects is an entirely separate power unto itself! The speed we did see would have been catastrophic for rescue. Here are just a few scenes that preceded the tornado, to make it clear to the audience that Clark didn't have super speed:

1. Oil Rig - His face and powers are already revealed and time is critical, so he would zip them topside if he could.
2. Disguise - There's no need to take the clothes if he can hide with speed or fetch clothes quickly.
3. Bus - No reason to be caught if he could move invisibly fast.
4. Maybe - Jonathan is reasonably concerned because Clark was actually seen, his caution is justified because his Clark can't fly away or zip about invisibly.
5. Hitchhike - Clark wants to cover his tracks and wouldn't hitchhike to Ellesmere if he could run there undetected.
6. Joe - Clark wouldn't make a false identity to investigate if he could zip around invisibly and interact with the site's findings.
7. Walk - He walks because his running speed is detectable and, if spotted, would raise more alarm than walking.

There are many indications that Superman's speed doesn't allow him to harmlessly interact with the world at those speeds. And many reasons to discount Faora's demonstration as applicable.

Of course, just because Superman didn't have this level of super speed or this type of super speed in Man of Steel doesn't mean it can't be introduced later. The film clearly provides a precedent for Superman discovering powers, testing his limits, and those limits being beyond Jor-El's imagination.

You can learn more by listening to the podcast or visiting the website!

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If you've got an idea for a myth that my meager editing abilities might be able to tackle let me know for future videos!

Man Of Steel Answers Insight Commentary (MOSAIC) Podcast covers these kinds of questions and more in depth for fans of Man of Steel and those excited by the DC Cinematic Universe.

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Video inspired by:

MOSAIC Episode 12 - Oil Rig Virtues - Heroism

Blog: Clark Doesn't Have The Speed To Avoid Detection and Identification

More on super speed:
MOSAIC Episode 5 - Powers Part 3 - Speed, Flight, Telekinesis

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MOSAIC Podcast

[shinobitoby]

People act like just because it's comics heroes learn automatically to use their powers. Clark was still learning about his powers he was like a baby learning to walk and talk for the first time. The only reason Zod learned so fast is because at a young age he was taught to learn how to adapt to new environments he was a trained warrior from birth. When Zack said he made superman realistic he was serious

[aaronwood]

this is, arguably, the MOST unfairly maligned superhero movie ever.

[idawg]

Okay this is the second video of yours that I've seen and I'm definitely subscribing. Man of steel was an excellent and underrated superhero movie. I've never seen a superhero film receive so much undeserved criticism when other movies in the genre do the same things only they joke about it. Thank you for these videos.

[StarStreamFlowArtist]

This superman we see in man of steel is the equivalent of Superman at the very beginning of the new 52 if action comics right up to him first meeting braniac. By BvS a year will pass I'm sure he will be way more powerful by then.

[gid]

(speculations off what I read but wasn't explained clearly)
Difference is, Flash can tap into the speed force ever since he was giving the ability of a speeder. The speed force not only protects the user from friction, but it also negate up to 90-95% of collateral damage of moving so fast. (once flashed moved so fast around the earth that his speed force couldn't absorb it all and flash created devastating destruction) Sort a speak, every time flash moves, the after effect he leaves is reabsorbed into his momentum. Reason why he runs in circles he can actually build up a kinetic energy and focus tornadoes and gusts at certain directions. Superman speed is not protected by anything which is the reason why, technically speaking, he doesn't run on the ground. He is mostly seen flying at sonic speed where his speed will not cause damage. Ideally, it should only be flash or any1 else with the ability of the speed force that can carry, catch and drop people at super sonic speed. The speed force will protect them from friction and left over momentum as well but of course their is a limit to how big this protection is.... sorry 300lb people, u might just be pushing the limit.

[NethermanTheHellblazer]

I am so grateful to you, I never would have came to these conclusions myself.
I have several theories as to why Superman doesn't use super-speed.
A) He doesn't know he has this power, so he thinks his only method of transportation is flight.
B) He does know, but he's too slow. and so like you said, he prefers walking.
C) Like in B, He does know. and he's too fast. and is able to reach the speed of sound when running, however. running at these speeds is dangerous to humans surrounding Kal-El. so he uses this power only at extreme cases.

[Minetic]

If only more people realized your channel. It would definitely close their mouths from their one sided form of thinking. Because we know Superman the character we know all of his abilities; however, in the movie he does not neither. So they judge Superman about feats he does not yet know he has or has developed yet giving him a very unfair and critical judgment on his character. Thanks for this video. If only those who hate this movie wouldn't close their minds to it so quickly. Sure they may not like but at least they could see the reasoning and logic behind it.

[meph]

the simple answer as to why he shouldn't use hyper-speed among civilian is that he could cause a massive sonic boom and aftershock. look back at Neo (The Matrix) when he was flying really fast, trying to get to Trinity, while he's flying, look behind him.

[thevarioty]

i hope they give clark super breath in the next movie, it would be his least lethal power, a non lethal way to blow away criminals and put out fires

[TheAgr]

Great alliteration on the "-mechanically muscle more motion than mere mortals"

[SoulFistGaming]

people think superman has "superspeed" he he doesn't. he's really fast because of his body and his muscles and what not.
he's not tied to the speed force. he can't just use "speed" he has to run and fly fast. that causes sonic booms and destruction.

[popcornbuster]

Superman had learnt a few things about flight when it comes BVS that's why no violent sonic booms in BVS!

[blendergaming]

I just think they are waiting for the flash to show up for him to realize he can run fast. It would be a more exciting moment if it's the first time he does it is when he meets the flash. Also, he is the only kryptonian, the only one existing as of right now except for Kara (which they may or may not use her), so it's understandable that he doesn't know all of his powers. However, I do feel like he should know he has superspeed already but who cares? People got a fantastic superman movie and nitpicking it won't do anything.

[neonrodenson]

It's as if you've peeked into the minds of all defenders of this film! SWEET work, dude! I can't believe detractors missed the notion of the possibility of Clark not having speed just yet. Morons! Oh, and if you're wondering how I am jumping from clip to clip so quickly, I have actually seen all of your work, I have just been too tired to leave comments...until now!

[JohnWalker]

Superman is going to get much stronger and faster in future films I think, especially now we know that the flash exists in this universe.However I don't know about if for example he carried a human being moving at close to light speed?.

[Gregor_Von_DOOM]

You could also say if he does indeed show to be more powerful in future films it is because of him learning to fly keeping him closer to the sun.

[JohnFrausto]

I love these videos you are putting up! Keep up the great work. I loved this movie but now I truly appreciate it more after watching these videos. 

[NameUserOf]

This channel is awesome, next time i won't write walls of text but simply posting a link here =)
Also could you make a video of why Clark didn't save his dad? I believe its worth making a video dedicated just to that. You partially addressed it here but only from powers perspective. There're Jonathan views, of an old, stubborn "i know what i am doing" type of man along with his wish to not overcomplicate his son's life at a young age. This is something western viewers usually can't except as much Japanese and Chinese can. Self sacrifice thats made not just in the end of the world scenario where everyone can be hero or everyone will still die at least i can be a hero scenario. Jonathan was man of honour thats for sure, if he'd be samurai at those times and saved someone but broke laws that would require death sentence, he'd willingly pay the price.
At the same time Clark loved his father and respected him. On top of that he was young, scared and clueless of what to do. Respecting his father's actions or spitting him in the face and try to save him(even though technically without speed he wouldn't get there in time only survive and be more than a myth, possibly a lab rat since he's too young to know how to fake identity and hide). Frankly from his perspective there're no right answer. Its the same situation when people must choose whether to open a door to a killer that promises that he just takes secret data and leave or save hostages he may kill if you won't open a door. The data might value more lives but you will face with hard choice of watching people die on the other side of that door. And this is exactly the choice Clark made. I don't think people can be judged for either decision.

[greigmonkpics]

Debunked thoroughly!!! wonderful Work!

[livinglightning]

when faora moved at superspeed she left small craters where her feet was. rewatch her chain punch sequence.