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.
Truth, Justice, and the U.N. way!!!
"Truth, justice, and freedom." Same message, global pronunciation.....
Come to think of it, the phrase, "Truth, justice, and the American Way," implies that these are three separate things... that truth and justice are not a necessary part of "The American Way."
For what its worth, the original superman in comic book format fought only for "truth and justice."
In the 1948 movie serial, the phrase became "truth, tolerance and justice."
The phrase "truth, justice and the American way" was coined in the superman radio serial (not the comic book) that ran from 1940 to 1951, with "the American way" only being used between 1942 and 1944, after which it was dropped, and "tolerance" was again inserted.
"The American way" was then picked up again in the television series that ran in the 50's.
Miracleman is one heckuva good series - at the beginning, anyway. It degenerated into a socialists wet dream after the Kid Miracleman showdown in #15 & 16. Lefty he may be, Alan Moore can sure write great comics!
Superman is the gayest, lamest, dullest, least imaginative superhero ever. He's just too super.
Smith's script had its own share of problems. I'm pretty sure I read that he had cameos by Banky and Holden, and maybe even Jay and Silent Bob. That's just ridiculous. If you're that respectful of the property, keep your little trademark characters out of it.
Or, maybe it was just rumor.
I was thinking, if they really want to appease the Muslim countries, they ought not stop at removing "the American way." They ought to have Lois in a burqa.
Oh, God. I read on wiki that the Avengers operated under the aegis of the U.N. for a time. I think Marvel was enthralled with the U.N. the entire time I read their comics. Any time Spidey said, "(Insert villain) is threatening the U.N. building!" I was always, "Good! Let him wipe it out of existence!"
This is a job for . . . Fabulousman!
I don't know about that. SOmetimes, if they are well done, cameos are't bad. The Jay and Silent Bob cameo was the only good thing about Scream 3.
He is a Krypto-American.
If he's in any way pro-America, he's a Kryptofascist.
If he's a Democrat he is a Kryptocommunist.
Have you seen "Firefly" yet? If not, move it to the top of your list right now!
First he's Jewish, now he's not American? Let's just move him to Israel and call him "Ubermensch". His arch-enemy can be Lex Al-Luthor.
How sad. Superman is now Superp***y
Superman was a Kryptonian, sure. But he grew up in an American family like any other little American boy. As I recall, and I may be wrong, he had a paper route. Quintessential American.
Most Americans were born somewhere else, or their parents were, or their grandparents.
I see a lot of little Chinese kids these days who have been adopted by American couples. I sure as hell hope they grow up to be Americans, and appreciating what they have. That doesn't mean they shouldn't know their Chinese heritage too. But it's a sad day for America when someone can grow up American and think of themselves as an alien.
In fact, right now, that's our problem. All the multi-culti effete snobs are teaching them to think that way. I say, "Truth, justice, and the American way!" It may be corny, but it will be a sad day when it vanishes, as Hollywood would so dearly like to see it do.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.