For Supes power vs Zod. Its explained IN the movie. Supes are raised to hide his powers, and basically only use them in extreme dire emergencies or when nobody could see him. This gave mental blocks to limit his powers, it wasn't until he discovered who and what he was through Holo-Dad he began to experiment and cut loose. Also it didn't take 30 years for his powers to develop. He had x-ray vision, super strength/ agility, human traits, and Heat beam eyes all as a kid.
Zod on the other hand is a warrior, born by design to make full us of his environment, and physical strength to take down an enemy. And then there's the fact he was already use to fighting with that level of strength do to the power/environment suits they were wearing on arrival to Earth. We see in the final fight Zod goes from an animalistic raw style of fighting before he emerges with the refined style at the end.
And third, it was Superman's fault Zod gained control. He explained how he was able to stay in control, by focusing on one object to tune everything out. Zod did this as shown in the scene he removes his headgear willingly. Now we never know he focuses on, but I assumed it was Superman since he was the target.
Technically not true. Clark had his powers since he was young, but had never used them to his full capabilities, and as such he's not experienced. Neither was Zod, as while Clark was flying (something that DID only take Clark a day, in fact took him a few minutes, to master) he was forced to wall-crawl. Zod took longer to gain control, and even during the fight he appears to be still adapting (look at when he first uses heat vision, he looks like he's in pain and can't stop).
I don't see much depressing things. I mean, the film's no darker than Amazing Spider-Man or the Dark Knight Trilogy, and ends on a happy note (Clark has found a place in the world and established his boundaries, and has Lois to help him, hat's bad about that?). The film has some depressing bits, but its got a lot of focus on hope and idealism, something some films lack.
In space Zod had some powers, when he came to earth he gained even more. It was gradual for both.
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The Most Depressing Superhero Film Ever!
"Man of Steel" was fun for the most part, but it's also extremely dumb. (Can someone please explain to me why it takes Superman 33 years to fully develop his powers, but Zod gets them in one day?) There are plenty of plot holes and bad character moments, which the great action can't completely overcome. It's also remarkably depressing, which surprised me. I think there were twenty attempts at humor total (and I think I laughed at half of those). "The Dark Knight Rises" looks like a slapstick comedy by comparison!
Worth seeing, just be prepared to be forgiving.