He endures... and endears
The new American Superman is Brandon Routh. He not only flies back to earth after a long absence of nearly 20 years, but also returns to a large group of fans, which would expect him to play the Man of Steel to perfection.
Christopher Reeve died an icon in 2004 after a long struggle to overcome a riding accident-caused paralysis in 1995. In the 1978 `Superman: The Movie,' Reeve and director Richard Donner transformed an American comic book hero into a celluloid cult figure. The Superman's reputation and appeal are still intact.
Bryan Singer, who has directed the latest film, `Superman Returns,' (Opens in India on June 30) told the Press: "The World may change, relationships change... but the Superman endures."
Changing mediums
The Superman was conceived by two schoolboys in Cleveland, U.S., Joe Shuster and Jerry Siegel. They sold their work to a shaky comic book company, which modified the boys' idea into an action hero with invincible strength. This Superman fought greedy corporate executives, nasty slumlords and corrupt politicians. But he was not totally indestructible.
However, Shuster-Siegel's creation had the same essence one is familiar with today. And, this spirit remained undaunted even as the Superman changed mediums: the comic strips led to radio shows in the 1940s, and television serials in the 1950s before motion pictures captured him.
There, however, was a period when the Superman went into an eclipse, but in 1978, Reeve, with his sex appeal, wit and humour, revived him.
The Superman story continued into the 1980s and the 1990s, albeit with different actors and concepts, some of them romantic.
`Superman Returns' is clearly yet another attempt to rejuvenate the social crusader in red underpants. And, perhaps more than that. In a world that is facing post-modern perils, the Superman is being promoted as a Messiah.
Many see the overtones of the New Testament in the story of `Superman Returns,' where he is sent to earth by his father to save humans. When the movie's trailers were first seen early this year, comparisons with the Bible were made. A preview showed the Superman hearing his father's voice (the scene is lifted from the 1978 edition with Marlon Brando as the father) saying that he was sent to earth because men "lack the light to show the way. For this reason, I have sent them you, my only son."
Warner Brother's, who made `Superman Returns,' has been playing this sentiment to the hilt. There is a scene where the Superman is wounded by a knife, and this reminds one of Christ being jabbed by a Roman soldier. In another shot, one sees Routh standing with his arms outstretched, a copy of the crucifixion pose.
Will this ploy work? Made at a mega budget of $ 200 million, featuring top-notch special effects suitable for Imax theatres in 3-D, `Superman Returns' has a strong cast, including Oscar winner Kevin Spacey (as the villain) and Kate Bosworth (as Superman's love).
Routh is relatively unknown, but he has a heart that is going to endear him to the romantics. And, with a world that is weary of war and uneasy with the thought of it, the Superman may well seduce us with his youthful charm and granite might that convey, `here I come to protect thee.'
GAUTAMAN BHASKARAN
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