Truth, Justice and the American Way
Jun 21, 2006
Note: The following might be considered spoiler-ish. Nothing major but if you want to watch the return of Kal-El while knowing as little as possible about the movie, then stop reading now.
Things I am not looking forward to in Superman Returns:
1. "Does he still stand for truth, justice, all that stuff?" I cringed when I heard that. While it is true that Supes is a worldwide personality (I watched the first two movies in Saudi Arabia), that doesn't mean that he is fighting for, or he stands for, some mythical global way (yes, I can see the irony).
He landed and he is living his life in the US. He exudes optimism and he is, no doubt, the most idealistic character in the comics universe. To simply cross out his American connection to appease the foreign America-loathing markets is spineless.
2. Lois pulls a Dowd. Just watch the first five seconds of this clip. It's understandable that Lois is angry at Supes for leaving without any apparent reason but to belittle him is nonsensical. Remember the very first time Supes and Lois met in Richard Donner's masterpiece? This is what would have happened to Lois if the unnecessary savior hadn't been there: SPLAT!
3. Ruining the colors and backpedaling. This is what Supes looks like in the upcoming movie. This is how he should look like. Perhaps, Singer wanted to emphasize a depressing mood--thus the sorry color scheme...but then why are they releasing the following poster?
Perhaps, Supes is into a little subtle variety. Red cape on the weekends, a gray one on weekdays.
Things I am looking forward to in Superman Returns:
1. His relationship with Lois. A man with such latent power still struggles emotionally, painfully and quietly.
And, of course, proving Lois wrong.
2. Spacey and Brando, one-on-one. Enough said.
3. His guidance. How lucky is Kal-El to have Jonathan and Martha Kent as parents? The Kents had a tough job. Imagine raising a kid whose temper tantrum could obliterate an entire neighborhood! They raised him with love and instilled in him the values which he will forever hold.
Then, after Jonathan passed away, he "met" Jor-El. From his Kryptonian father, he learned about his exceptional heritage and then he went on to fulfill his magestic destiny.
For me, the scenes in which Supes interacts with his Earthly and Kryptonian parents are quite special.
4. VFX. It has been almost two decades since a Superman movie came out. Since then, the advances in computing power and VFX wizardry have been phenomenal. No wonder, we're in a golden age of comics-based movies.
All his natural gifts will look spectacular on the big screen. I especially like the grace in his flying. Also, a tiny visual effect to show his breaking the sound barrier is immensely cool.
On June 28, the greatest hero the universe has ever known will return.
Can't wait for this movie, have to agree with the negatives listed above. Superman to me always was like the embodiment of all that is good in America, just with xray vision and all that stuff :). As for the colours, well hollywood will be hollywood I guess, does seem strange they drabbed the colours down though.. OH well, after seeing some of the trailers you've linked to I went from sorta interested in this movie to really hyped about it. Frankly that scene of him floating just above the Earth really did it for me. The fact they went as far as to make his cape act like it would in a vacuum really impressed me and hell it looks freaking coool.
Posted by: David Goldberg | Jun 21, 2006 at 08:48 PM
Yeah, a lot of people have been raving about that scene above the stratosphere where he listens for those who call for help. It is truly breathtaking.
Posted by: Isaac Schrödinger | Jun 21, 2006 at 08:59 PM
I like the large red cape, but I just don't like the tights, you know? It's .... too.. metrosexual. What kind of man fights evil villains in tights with the underwear on the outside?
Posted by: octane | Jun 23, 2006 at 02:15 AM