Learning to Fly

In Man of Steel (2013), Clark Kent learns how to fly after discovering the Kryptonian scout ship and embracing the truth of who he is. The sequence begins with uncertainty as Clark struggles to control his abilities while testing the limits of flight across mountains and open sky. What starts as experimentation gradually transforms into confidence as he fully embraces his identity as Superman for the first time.

This scene was approached not simply as a superhero learning to fly, but as Clark finally discovering clarity about himself and his purpose. Throughout the film, he lives with uncertainty surrounding his identity, his place in the world, and the reason why he was sent to Earth. Even with his powers, he remains restrained and disconnected from any true sense of destiny. The opening portion of this scene reflects that uncertainty. Clark is physically powerful, but unsure of himself. Flying at first feels unstable and experimental rather than triumphant.

Rather than score the opening sequence with immediate heroic fanfare, the music starts off soft, with restraint and gradual development with the use of strings and choir. The music evolves alongside how Clark has felt his whole life leading up to this moment. The goal of the music at the beginning is to convey this sense of searching and not being resolved. The continuing voicer over of Jor-El eventually leads to the development of Superman where the audience has been waiting see. It is at this moment that the brass enters in and presents this certainty that Clark Kent now knows who he is and what he must do as Superman. As he begins flying, the music switches again to convey this sense that everything is going along and Superman is flying for the first time.

After Clark crashes following his first flight attempt, the emotional direction of the scene begins to change. The voiceover from his father reframes the moment and acts almost as a final confirmation of everything Clark has struggled with throughout the film. It is here that Clark seems to finally understand the lingering questions surrounding his identity, purpose, and destiny. The music reflects this transition by gradually shifting away from uncertainty and toward emotional clarity and acceptance.

As Clark takes center stage as Superman and begins flying successfully again, the music steadily expands in scale and emotional intensity. Strings makeup the core of the composition and provides momentum while brass carries the melody. The music crescendos into a broader and more uplifting orchestral statement that reinforces the propulsion and physicality of the flight without overpowering the emotional tone of the scene. The growing usage of adding more musical instruments help communicate that Clark is no longer emotionally restrained or fighting against who he is. In the end, the music reflects the resolution of the internal conflict that has plagued Clark so far through the film. By the end of this scene, Superman is no longer searching for who he is.