(A different) Superman returns
Two nights ago, my wife and I along with our three sons (our youngest, Faith is about 1 year and 4 months old stayed at home with our 2 housemaids) watched the movie, “Superman Returns”. It was a highly anticipated sequel to the Superman series placing itself sometime after the second movie and seemingly discards away the third and the fourth episodes altogether.
The movie was cinematic. The special effects obviously astounded moviegoers worldwide. But two thirds to the movie’s end, I can’t help but feel upset at the obvious changes they have made to the Superman storyline that I grew up with.
Please correct me at any point if I don’t get my “facts” straight. According to the movie, Superman leaves Earth five years ago, to look for his home planet, Krypton (as if there was something left of it after the supernova explosion). Prior to leaving, he had sexual relations with Lois Lane (whom he didn’t even say goodbye to), not even considering that he may have sired a child in the process. He comes back does his super hero work (even Clark got his job back) discovers Lois living in with a man whom she is not married to, and during the end part, finds out he is the real father of Lois’ “sickly” son.
I mean, what message are we exactly giving to our children?!....that’s its all right to have pre-marital relations just because you’re a super hero! The last time I checked fornication was still a grievous mortal sin. The Superman I knew as well as many of the comic book super heroes I grew up with had good and strong moral and family values. Bruce Wayne for all his playboy activities didn’t get into the same predicament. Superman if memory serves me right got married to Lois. Spiderman got married to Mary Jane. I’m very disappointed the people in DC Comics even allowed these changes to happen!
Another thing, I didn’t like the messianic overtures of the man of steel. During the dialogue between Superman and Lois up in the evening clouds, Superman said something like “Do you here anything? ....I hear everything” or “You say the world doesn’t need a savior when everyday I hear people asking for a savior.” Remember how Jor-El, Superman’s father saying that he sends out his only son as mankind’s savior. Why not use the word hero instead? This is based on his belief that humans have the capacity to do good and to be a good race but they only need a “light” to guide them. In almost all contexts, the word savior especially when in relation to all of mankind connotes a religious messiah. Has the world of Superman become utterly secular, devoid of any spirituality or belief in a supreme deity? I realized Superman or many comic book heroes (at least in the Hollywood movie versions) rarely if ever, acknowledge the existence much less the divine providence of God.
God’s laws are eternal. Jesus the only true Savior is the same, anytime, anywhere (Hebrews 13:8). I only pray that God-fearing people simply stand up for what is right and what is good, regardless of how Hollywood views the world!
On a related note, I saw a car a couple of days ago with a bumper sticker on it saying something like:
“I can handle anything!
I have children!”
Parents indeed, those who truly care and love their spouses and children are the true superheroes in my book! When you have the patience, strength and love to nurture and guide your children as they grow, chances are they will not stray from the right path. Figuratively speaking, that’s even harder than being faster than a speeding bullet or being able to leap tall buildings in a single bound!
Peace and God’s blessings to all!!
P.S. My (traditional) Superman action wish list:
1. Dismantle all nuclear warheads
2. Locate and safely detonate all landmines in the Balkan states, the Indochina area, etc.
3. Participate in alternative energy source research (assuming he doesn’t have any crystals left)
4. Volunteer in helping out tsunami, earthquake and hurricane victims rebuild their lives
5. Volunteer in massive relief efforts to famine victims worldwide
6. Help prevent ozone layer depletion
7. Enforce environmental laws
8. Join interfaith services in worshipping the one true God!
9. Do missionary work in places like Sudan, Saudi Arabia and the Amazon where his head cannot be chopped off from spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ!
10. Move out of Metropolis and into Boston. At 6’4, (as Clark Kent) play either point guard or shooting guard for the Celtics and help them win their 17th NBA championship!
Do you have your own wish list for Superman to do if he did exist in the real world?
Please share it on the blogsphere! Thanks!
The movie was cinematic. The special effects obviously astounded moviegoers worldwide. But two thirds to the movie’s end, I can’t help but feel upset at the obvious changes they have made to the Superman storyline that I grew up with.
Please correct me at any point if I don’t get my “facts” straight. According to the movie, Superman leaves Earth five years ago, to look for his home planet, Krypton (as if there was something left of it after the supernova explosion). Prior to leaving, he had sexual relations with Lois Lane (whom he didn’t even say goodbye to), not even considering that he may have sired a child in the process. He comes back does his super hero work (even Clark got his job back) discovers Lois living in with a man whom she is not married to, and during the end part, finds out he is the real father of Lois’ “sickly” son.
I mean, what message are we exactly giving to our children?!....that’s its all right to have pre-marital relations just because you’re a super hero! The last time I checked fornication was still a grievous mortal sin. The Superman I knew as well as many of the comic book super heroes I grew up with had good and strong moral and family values. Bruce Wayne for all his playboy activities didn’t get into the same predicament. Superman if memory serves me right got married to Lois. Spiderman got married to Mary Jane. I’m very disappointed the people in DC Comics even allowed these changes to happen!
Another thing, I didn’t like the messianic overtures of the man of steel. During the dialogue between Superman and Lois up in the evening clouds, Superman said something like “Do you here anything? ....I hear everything” or “You say the world doesn’t need a savior when everyday I hear people asking for a savior.” Remember how Jor-El, Superman’s father saying that he sends out his only son as mankind’s savior. Why not use the word hero instead? This is based on his belief that humans have the capacity to do good and to be a good race but they only need a “light” to guide them. In almost all contexts, the word savior especially when in relation to all of mankind connotes a religious messiah. Has the world of Superman become utterly secular, devoid of any spirituality or belief in a supreme deity? I realized Superman or many comic book heroes (at least in the Hollywood movie versions) rarely if ever, acknowledge the existence much less the divine providence of God.
God’s laws are eternal. Jesus the only true Savior is the same, anytime, anywhere (Hebrews 13:8). I only pray that God-fearing people simply stand up for what is right and what is good, regardless of how Hollywood views the world!
On a related note, I saw a car a couple of days ago with a bumper sticker on it saying something like:
“I can handle anything!
I have children!”
Parents indeed, those who truly care and love their spouses and children are the true superheroes in my book! When you have the patience, strength and love to nurture and guide your children as they grow, chances are they will not stray from the right path. Figuratively speaking, that’s even harder than being faster than a speeding bullet or being able to leap tall buildings in a single bound!
Peace and God’s blessings to all!!
P.S. My (traditional) Superman action wish list:
1. Dismantle all nuclear warheads
2. Locate and safely detonate all landmines in the Balkan states, the Indochina area, etc.
3. Participate in alternative energy source research (assuming he doesn’t have any crystals left)
4. Volunteer in helping out tsunami, earthquake and hurricane victims rebuild their lives
5. Volunteer in massive relief efforts to famine victims worldwide
6. Help prevent ozone layer depletion
7. Enforce environmental laws
8. Join interfaith services in worshipping the one true God!
9. Do missionary work in places like Sudan, Saudi Arabia and the Amazon where his head cannot be chopped off from spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ!
10. Move out of Metropolis and into Boston. At 6’4, (as Clark Kent) play either point guard or shooting guard for the Celtics and help them win their 17th NBA championship!
Do you have your own wish list for Superman to do if he did exist in the real world?
Please share it on the blogsphere! Thanks!
Labels: Movies
posted by Ferddie'sWorld at
1:49 PM
1 Comments:
I can't help myself to comment Bro, sorry, but I love the last wish list, hehehe, biro lang. I like all of them, very Godly.. God Bless, Dboy
By
Anonymous, at 3:45 PM, October 18, 2006
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