It is sad how this entirely discussion has turned into a debate on being homosexual or not. What I particularly find funny about it, from a society perspective, is that hardcore comic book readers (i.e. the "nerds") are always ridiculed as being introverted, homosexual or just plain weird/closed off from the rest of the world. This obviously is not true but what's funny is how all of you hating on this look for being homosexual and other such comments. Just an interesting observation.
But now to be honest, yeah it does look strange in still pics especially without the cape but I would like to make two observations.
1, the Nolan Batman costume looks like absolute shit. Honestly how is anyone intimidated by that Batman. It makes Bale, who is actually a tall (6' 1") and physically built guy look smaller and weaker than Gary Oldman and that's near impossible to do. The point is that no real life superhero costume is going to look anywhere near as good as its comic book equivalent because it actually has to be on a real person whose dimensions are not perfect and therefore a skin tight uniform is never going to look perfect on them.
2. put the entire costume together. You have the texture, the lack of a belt or the underpants, circular gold button at the waist, a slightly off design of the s-shield and then the pattern around the hips, legs, and forearms. Does that look like something Martha Kent could put together? Does it look human or earthly in any way? No, it looks alien. It looks otherworldly. It doesn't quite look like it belongs. OH WAIT! THAT'S SUPERMAN IN A NUTSHELL! THE GUY IS AN ALIEN WITH SUPERPOWERS LIVING ON EARTH!
I mean, really, none of you have figured out this connection yet. None of you see where Synder (and Nolan remember) are going with this character. None of you remember that this script is based heavily (in terms of Clark/Superman/Kal's mentality) off the Birthright origin. So I assume none of you remember that the underlying theme of that origin was the concept of clan/family heritage, marking, colors, and other identification marking that survive through the generations. So why are you all surprised that this new look for Superman looks alien. ITS MEANT TO.
The Superman persona is Clark's only way to show his kryptonian heritage to the public. Sure he could talk to his folks, and in the comics his wife (well, not anymore) and closest hero friends but to the rest of the public they only know Superman and that's he's an alien. In the comics he doesn't really get to express this concept because his suit is meant to look nice and earthly and inspiring. As the DCnU and apparently this movie are trying to showcase is that his outfit is not supposed to represent that but his kryptonian heritage.
And it seems to be working. You're all complaining about how strange it looks when in a way that's exactly what its supposed to do. Not look like something you would expect to see on Earth and clearly state that Superman is an alien. Yet at the same time it has all the classic elements of the suit (minus red underwear) that people can recognize.
Think back to all the classic images you know of Superman or anytime a close-up is shown of the Man of Steel. The focus of the picture is always to his chest. Always to the s-shield. That's the icon that defines Superman. After that its the cape. Anything else is just extra.
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