The "Overman" has come, and boy, is he pissed off...
Posted on 06/30/2006 8:01:53 AM PDT by Roberts
Nevermind Superman's sexual orientation. Here's another identity-related question that is likely to spark controversy as the Man of Steel soars into theaters nationwide this Fourth of July weekend in Warner Bros. Pictures' "Superman Returns": Is Superman still American?
Ever since artist Joe Shuster and writer Jerry Siegel created the granddaddy of all comic book icons in 1932, Superman has fought valiantly to preserve "truth, justice and the American way." Whether kicking Nazi ass on the radio in the '40s or wrapping himself in the Stars and Stripes on TV during the Cold War or even rescuing the White House's flag as his final feat in "Superman II," the Krypton-born, Smallville-raised Ubermensch always has been steeped in unmistakable U.S. symbolism.
But in the latest film incarnation, scribes Michael Dougherty and Dan Harris sought to downplay Superman's long-standing patriot act. With one brief line uttered by actor Frank Langella, the caped superhero's mission transformed from "truth, justice and the American way" to "truth, justice and all that stuff."
"The world has changed. The world is a different place," Pennsylvania native Harris says. "The truth is he's an alien. He was sent from another planet. He has landed on the planet Earth, and he is here for everybody. He's an international superhero."
In fact, Dougherty and Harris never even considered including "the American way" in their screenplay. After the wunderkind writing duo ("X2: X-Men United") conceived "Superman's" story with director Bryan Singer during a Hawaiian vacation, they penned their first draft together and intentionally omitted what they considered to be a loaded and antiquated expression. That decision stood throughout the 140-day shoot in Australia, where the pair remained on-set to provide revisions and tweaks.
"We were always hesitant to include the term 'American way' because the meaning of that today is somewhat uncertain," Ohio native Dougherty explains. "The ideal hasn't changed. I think when people say 'American way,' they're actually talking about what the 'American way' meant back in the '40s and '50s, which was something more noble and idealistic."
While audiences in Dubuque might bristle at Superman's newfound global agenda, patrons in Dubai likely will find the DC Comics protagonist more palatable. And with the increasing importance of the overseas boxoffice -- as evidenced by summer tentpoles like "The Da Vinci Code" -- foreign sensibilities can no longer be ignored.
"So, you play the movie in a foreign country, and you say, 'What does he stand for? -- truth, justice and the American way.' I think a lot of people's opinions of what the American way means outside of this country are different from what the line actually means (in Superman lore) because they are not the same anymore," Harris says. "And (using that line) would taint the meaning of what he is saying."
But for Superman purists looking for a nod to the big blue Boy Scout's nationalistic loyalties, he is still saving Americans, albeit many with suspiciously Aussie accents. He foils Lex Luthor's nefarious plan to send millions from the nation's heartland to a watery death. And in his most impressive scene, the hero saves the day while a plane hurtles toward a baseball stadium full of fans enjoying America's pastime. Although there is no indication that it is an American baseball game depicted, the scene was one of the few shot on U.S. soil, at Dodger Stadium.
Nevertheless, the long-standing member of the Justice League of America seems to have traded in his allegiance to the flag for an international passport.
"He's here for humanity," Dougherty says.
The "Overman" has come, and boy, is he pissed off...
"Pathetic. But Superman always looked like a homo anway. Batman was way cooler, albeit a psycho.
Until George Clooney brought nipples to the Batsuit..."
Well we know he couldn't add brains or cahoneys! I guess a little nip was the best he had to offer.....
Last straw. Not going to see it.
This is nothing more than self-justifying hypocracy. With regard to other, more trivial aspects of the Superman mythos, these same "creators" have shamelessly claimed and touted their faithfullness to Superman "canon", yet they deliberately choose to undermine this major, essential component of that same canon.
As far as foreign audiences are concerned, their opinion of what "the American way" means is irrelevant. In a movie about Superman, what is supposed to matter is what Superman thinks it means. It is the responsibility of the movie's creators to convey that meaning to the audience through their portrayal of the character, not to redesign the character to pander to their audience's ideology.
Of course, it's their movie - they have the right to do it however they please. However, we also have the right to point out their self-serving hypocracy and disingenuousness. Their protestations of and claims of faithfullness to the Superman canon/legend are rendered hollow by their cynical, transparent manipulations.
To Todd McFarlan: "FREE MIRACLEMAN!"
The Democrats are the party of "do not question my patriotism!" So why is it that--just knowing what I know from reading the article--I can state with a degree of certainty that these writers are liberal democrats?
Um, Batman lived in a house with a young boy he wasn't related to. Kinda odd, don't you think.
actually, some retelling of Superman myths in Comics in the last few year have him technically born on earth in Kansas. He was sent to earth in an artificial womb which was standard practice on Krypton and was birthed after it reached Earth.
Actually the whole, "American way" stuff has been going on for a few years in the comic books also, they mentioned the Justice League of America in the Article but a few years ago, the Justice League of America was changed to JLA because they didn't want the word America used because it might offend some.
I was surprised by how angry my husband was when he found out of the line omission. He refuses to see it now.
Can I have your tickets?
I guess yer right. I was thinking of the first Batman movie. No Robin in that one. He hooks up with Kim Basinger.
I guess so. I didn't see that one. Matter of fact, only one I saw was the first one in 89.
Won't be seeing this until its on "free" tv, and maybe not even then.
It's all about the $$$$ for Follywood.
If they are unsure, HERE is one compelling component of what "The American Way" is...
http://www.freerepublic.com/^http://sagebrushpatriot.com/america.htm
Narrated by John Wayne...nearly brought tears to my eyes. And this is only the physical component.
Sort of like the way Kentucky Fried Chicken was changed to KFC. Musn't offend those chickens...
99% of retcons suck. And now massive retcons seem to be the only way DC can sell comics.
but a few years ago, the Justice League of America was changed to JLA because they didn't want the word America used because it might offend some
Where did you hear that? And, if so, then why will Justice League America #1, a new title, be released in August 2006?
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