Is it based on a comic? Superman first appeared in Action Comics in 1938. The success of the character launched both DC Comics and the superhero genre.
Haven't they already made that? Superman has appeared in five modern theatrical film s, several television series, as well as old film serials, cartoon series, and radio shows. Superman's origin will be the focus of the upcoming 2013 film, Man of Steel.
What the heck does this have to do with Avengers? Superman not only launched the superhero genre of comics but was also one of the first featured in theaters. The success of the 1978 film led to several sequels, as well as the first spin-off, Super-Girl. The film Superman Returns was finally the green-light for the resurgence of superhero films in the early 2000's. Without either Superman movie, or the lessons learned from the franchise, Avengers wouldn't be happening.
Mike says I love both of these films deeply and for varying reasons. But because of my feelings, I don’t know how balanced or fairly I can review them. At the same time, while reviewing them, comparing them, and analyzing them, I think I could write a lengthy document on the meaning, the symbolism, and the importance of Superman. In trying to keep my comments somewhat brief, it is fair to say that rather than interpreting and popularizing the titular hero, much like Iron Man did for its character, the Superman films have impacted and defined the Superman mythos just as much as it translated it.
Superman is a defining film for our generation, and had a lasting effect on movies, effects, and pop culture. But the film also changed how the world saw Superman, and shaped how he would be presented in the years and decades following the film’s release.
Much of the visual shorthand used in the film was adapted into comics and following adaptations, with the crystalline fortress, the theme, and characterizations all lasting long after the film series ended. The film shaped the Superman mythos into what it is today. It’s not often that the adaptation of a work is able to influence and lead the source material.
Perhaps the only down side to the lasting impact of the film is that the Superman presented is a relic of a bygone age of comics (specifically the Silver Age), and has long since evolved into a more complex, human, and relatable character. Sure, the influence of the film is still there, but no longer is Superman an alien hiding in the guise of humanity; rather he is a human being (at heart!) who uses his natural talents to make the world a better place. In modern comics, the true man lies somewhere between Clark and Superman.
The most damaging consequence of this dated interpretation of Superman is the general difficulty in believing and relating to the character. A God-like being with an undefined power limit and a sham personal life is hard for an audience to love.
Where Superman defined the character, Superman Returns explores, examines and renews the character, bringing him into the current era with heart and skill. While the film stays very true to the original in tone, plot, structure, and characterizations, it streamlines some things and evolves others. The Silver Age Superman is still featured, with the god-like power limit and the aura of non-approachability. Yet we see past that image to the soul of the character, and the world he inhabits.
The thing I love most about Superman Returns is the exploration of the character’s importance in the world today. The film is as much about Superman’s return to our world and culture as it is to that of the film. Many of the questions asked by his critics are voiced by real life critics in the real world. And the film addresses them. Has the world moved on? Have we outgrown Superman? The answer of the film is a resounding no.
The film establishes that Superman is just as vital now as he was then, as a symbol of hope, compassion and strength in a world where those attributes are becoming harder and harder to recognize. His place in the world has never been fully filled, even though others have stepped in and filled the role as best they could.
Those that loved Superman were sad and angry to see him go, and though we were overjoyed to see him return, our hearts were filled with questions: Is there still a place for Superman? Absolutely. There is always room for hope and strength in this world, and some things never grow old or tired.
In dealing with this issue, the film truly does capture how the world sees Superman- with quiet awe and shock. I love the scenes that show the citizens looking up to the skies, knowing that Superman is fighting, and perhaps, dying for them.
While Superman has had his high and low points over the years (Smallville has examples of both), these two films remain the highest. To this day I feel giddy and excited when I hear the Superman March, and I look forward to the day when I can watch it with my children and see that same excitement in their eyes.
Kate says the thing I like most about these two movies is how seriously the writers/directors/producers take the Superman mythology. Both movies have a strong level of camp, the first more than the second although the second deserves major kudos in the comedy area just for Parker Posey.
But Superman himself is treated with gentle, heart-felt seriousness. And Superman Returns is a loving tribute not only to the superhero but to the 1978 movie and Christopher Reeve.
In both movies, Superman is the focus rather than Clark Kent—that is, Clark is the disguise while Superman is the real personality. This is quite different from Lois & Clark where Superman is Clark’s disguise, and he actually bemoans the fact that Lois seems so enamored of his other self. (“I was worried about this,” says his mom. “You’re beginning to talk about yourself in the third person.”)
I confess I relate to Lois & Clark’s Superman best. Dean Cain is Mr. Congeniality, the guy who just wants to fit in. For a television show, I think this was a wise characterization.
Reeve’s Superman, on the other hand, is so godlike, he comes off as unapproachable while Routh plays his Superman as intense and isolated; since he gives Clark some of the same attributes, these seem more like general personality traits than superhero traits, but they still make relating to him difficult.
However, for movies, Reeve and Routh’s interpretations work. The movies are about Clark discovering his divinity—rather than Clark accessing his humanity. The movies contain far more religious iconography and references than the show.
In terms of plot, the movies are quite similar. Lex Luthor, real-estate hog, is a great villain. Superman Returns does end far better than Superman (1978). I really don’t know what the writers were thinking with the latter. First of all, why would time have anything to do with the rotation of the earth? Assuming that changing the rotation of the earth wouldn’t cause the earth to explode or fry or whatever, if it did happen, wouldn’t all the astronomers just go, “Hey, this is weird. All the stars’ positions have been totally different for several days now.”
Setting aside the physics, Superman using time travel to solve his problems completely undermines the value of his choices. Every time he has to make a rough choice, he can just back up the planet! Superman has so few issues (magic and Kryptonite are pretty much it), removing the little personal angst he occasionally suffers really hurts the character. (I personally think too little is made of Superman’s choices in all the movies. I love the episode in Lois & Clark when Lois becomes Superwoman and feels anguish at how little she can do in face of all the problems she wants to fix. Even Superman can’t be everywhere at once—oh, yeah, unless he time travels!)
The end of Superman Returns is far more astounding and heart-warming. The feat that Superman performs is extraordinary but not improbable by Superman standards. He also suffers for his choice. The event that revives him is outside the usual Superman myth but a big relief for those of us who worry about the big guy’s sanity after Lois dies.
Both movies are worth viewing though both are long. In fact, do what I did, and watch the movies, then episodes from the show! Even when flawed, there’s no such thing as too much Superman.
1 comment:
First, let me say how glad I am that you're doing this theme and how excited I am for The Avengers!
My primary exposure to comic book characters growing up was through cartoons. There was Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the '90s Spider-Man and X-Men, and the DC animated universe [DCAU], especially Batman: The Animated Series and Batman Beyond.
For some reason, though, my younger self had a deep-seated hatred of Superman. I have no idea where I was first introduced to the character, or why that experience was so negative. I do remember that one of my junior high history teachers was very fond of the black and white live action Superman TV series and showed an episode or two in class, but that's the only pre-adult recollection I have of Superman. Even in the DCAU, I stuck to the Batman-centric series and didn't watch Superman: The Animated Series, Justice League, or Justice League Unlimited [JLU] until the past few years.
Now, having watched most of the DCAU, several of the Superman movies (though not Superman Returns), and part of Young Justice, plus reading a few of the comics (including Grant Morrison's All-Star Superman), my feelings on the character have definitely mellowed. Despite all the silliness of the 1978 Superman, I think Christopher Reeve is fantastic in the role; he can make me see and understand, if only momentarily, that Superman really is this brave, honest, and charismatic hero.
That said, Superman is still not one of my favourite characters. Part of it is that, as both Mike and Kate stated, it's easy for Superman to be seen and portrayed as night-invulnerable and unrelateable. I'm also not a fan of Lex Luthor (except for in JLU, where the character was used exceptionally well), so the fact that he's so often featured in the films doesn't endear me to them. I'm hoping Man of Steel features some of the Superman's other villains. (My impossible hope would be Darkseid, but I doubt the rights would allow it and it was already done in JLU. However, I also quite like Braniac.)
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