The day has arrived. Man of Steel screens tonight. However, I wait with trepidation.
It’s no secret that Kal-El is my
favorite fictional character. Along with Doc Savage, the values that his creators imbued him with have always appealed to me. So, I should be excited. Right?
Wrong.
I was taken down this path seven years ago. When Superman Returns came out. While the initial audience reaction was favorable, I felt as though I was the only one who left the theater in disappointment. What was supposed to be a continuation in the great Reeves/Donner tradition became a billboard for a creator’s own feelings of alienation and uneasiness in society (and, poor Brandon Routh…).
Yuck.
I’m really hoping that this time a good story emboldens this character once again to us, the general public. I’m also hoping that this writer and director don’t have any burning issues and desires to vent onto the screen.
Yes, I realize that the story of an orphan, a man who is taken in by good, decent folk, is taught such strong values that although he has abilities and powers far beyond his fellow man that every time he uses those powers the words and lessons he was taught echo in his mind is an intriguing story. But I really don’t want to see how you feel that it relates to your life. No, I don’t.
I want to see an epic, heroic, FANTASY story.
Of all the super heroes, Superman, although he is an alien, is the most human. More so than any of them. Batman? Fun, but obviously psychotic. Wonder Woman? A god among mortals. Aquaman? A mixed race ruler. But, Kal/Clark? He is human as human is. In fact, it can be argued that his values are stronger than all of them combined.
I guess that it is a testament to the character that interpreters of his story touch so many people personally. So much so that they use the character to express their own desires and fears vicariously through the character.
So, enough of my rambling. Here’s to hopefully a good Superman film. And, if not, hey. At least we got to see another one! What a great age us curmudgeonly old fans live in. I mean, really, who could have expected films based on Steel or Iron Man
?
Up, Up and Away!!
