Superman Returns - A quick review
If you have not seen Superman Returns, do not read this blog!!!
I just saw Superman tonight…Wow!! I must say that I was a little skeptical coming into the show because the new Superman was an unheard of guy from a soap opera!! Add to the fact they have been trying to make this move for the last decade and have been unsuccessful made me wonder if the legend of superman ended with Christopher Reeve. Boy was I wrong. This version of superman hit the nail right on the head. It did not miss on any level. It was a perfect combination of action and plot that kept me entertained as much as I was emotionally moved. Two thumbs way up.
So the movie has me here thinking about a couple of things that I must write before I go to bed tonight…here goes, hopefully I will spell things right and use all the right there’s!!!
A. Kryptonite
It is funny how a phrase from pop culture can become iconic in stature. Kryptonite, although Krypton is a real element, is just a made up item from the old superman comics. The real krypton is a gas found in the air, thanks wikipedia!! The character of Superman is something most people aspire too. Being strong, noble, and having a chiseled jaw line never hurt anyone I’m sure. Yet the trait I think we most identify with Superman is his weakness to kryptonite. We all have something that makes us weak and mortal. In this movie, superman must face an entire island of kryptonite even if it means his death. His determination to prevail in spite of eminent danger makes him even more of a hero. I think this is why we love him so much. He only has one weakness world, yet he would face that for the greater good. We all have our own weaknesses. Each time we are able to overcome our weakness; it makes you feel like you have a red cape on too. I think there is a little superman in all of us. That’s a good feeling to have.
B. Reading too much into it…maybe…maybe not??
As I was watching the movie, I pondered the character of Superman as a Christ like figure. This always happens in these types of movies were people want to draw the character into something they can relate to in their personal lives. I often try to dismiss these types of events because they often seem cheesy and farfetched. Many people said this about the matrix trilogy and Neo’s character also. When I go to a movie I watch it for entertainment purposes only. I recognize the movie making process as an art form and try not to breath to much into it. Yet, I understand that just like an artist, director’s can be influenced by many elements, both direct and abstract. They also can convey those influences, both directly and in a symbolic allusion to something deeper. It is difficult for me to separate the two now because in all I do, JC is always in the back of my mind. I am sitting here pondering if I am making the connection because I want to, or were their some undertones in the movie that I picked up on?? Anyone that has seen the movie please tell me you saw a couple scene’s towards the end that made you wonder if it was done on purpose?? Or just tell me I am crazy and that will be fine too!! Or I have to hope the DVD has a director’s commentary!!! At least now I can try to get some sleep!!
I just saw Superman tonight…Wow!! I must say that I was a little skeptical coming into the show because the new Superman was an unheard of guy from a soap opera!! Add to the fact they have been trying to make this move for the last decade and have been unsuccessful made me wonder if the legend of superman ended with Christopher Reeve. Boy was I wrong. This version of superman hit the nail right on the head. It did not miss on any level. It was a perfect combination of action and plot that kept me entertained as much as I was emotionally moved. Two thumbs way up.
So the movie has me here thinking about a couple of things that I must write before I go to bed tonight…here goes, hopefully I will spell things right and use all the right there’s!!!
A. Kryptonite
It is funny how a phrase from pop culture can become iconic in stature. Kryptonite, although Krypton is a real element, is just a made up item from the old superman comics. The real krypton is a gas found in the air, thanks wikipedia!! The character of Superman is something most people aspire too. Being strong, noble, and having a chiseled jaw line never hurt anyone I’m sure. Yet the trait I think we most identify with Superman is his weakness to kryptonite. We all have something that makes us weak and mortal. In this movie, superman must face an entire island of kryptonite even if it means his death. His determination to prevail in spite of eminent danger makes him even more of a hero. I think this is why we love him so much. He only has one weakness world, yet he would face that for the greater good. We all have our own weaknesses. Each time we are able to overcome our weakness; it makes you feel like you have a red cape on too. I think there is a little superman in all of us. That’s a good feeling to have.
B. Reading too much into it…maybe…maybe not??
As I was watching the movie, I pondered the character of Superman as a Christ like figure. This always happens in these types of movies were people want to draw the character into something they can relate to in their personal lives. I often try to dismiss these types of events because they often seem cheesy and farfetched. Many people said this about the matrix trilogy and Neo’s character also. When I go to a movie I watch it for entertainment purposes only. I recognize the movie making process as an art form and try not to breath to much into it. Yet, I understand that just like an artist, director’s can be influenced by many elements, both direct and abstract. They also can convey those influences, both directly and in a symbolic allusion to something deeper. It is difficult for me to separate the two now because in all I do, JC is always in the back of my mind. I am sitting here pondering if I am making the connection because I want to, or were their some undertones in the movie that I picked up on?? Anyone that has seen the movie please tell me you saw a couple scene’s towards the end that made you wonder if it was done on purpose?? Or just tell me I am crazy and that will be fine too!! Or I have to hope the DVD has a director’s commentary!!! At least now I can try to get some sleep!!
posted by O King at
2:15 AM
1 Comments:
Hey O!
Just think of "there" and "their" and other word mix-ups as your barometer for tiredness. Didn't mean to make you too self-conscious!
I really liked your idea that "there's a little superman in us all." I think that's so true and I hope that in the process of becoming a therapist I can find that within myself as well as bring that out in my patients. Reading your blog touched me.
As for the JC issue- let me know what you find out! That's interesting. If not intended in this movie, perhaps it was a subtle underlying theme in the comic strip itself. Or perhaps, like JC, people will always re-tell stories of wonderful people, fictional or real, who try to help others because it brings us hope- similar to your last comment.
Have a good day!
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