I had problems with the whole picture, but the ending was certainly one of them. And it’s not about keeping Superman a pristine relic. It’s about the fact that Superman should do what’s right, not what’s easiest. In a world in which we as a culture constantly feel the need to justify our awful actions – “the only way to fight terrorists is to behave like terrorists” – I can see why having Superman follow suit would be appealing, like a salve to the cumulative conscience. Even Superman can’t find another way, so this must be all right. But it’s not controversial, it’s not edgy, it’s not contemporary, it’s just plain wrong. It’s lazy writing and hackneyed controversy. It’s what’s easiest.