'Swallowing the Kryptonite'

[LeiterCIA]

Swallowing the Kryptonite
By Carol Platt Liebau
Published 7/5/2006 12:06:09 AM

The newest film incarnation of the Superman myth opened recently to much fanfare across the country. From the outset, it's clear that Superman Returns takes a number of liberties with the legend of the Man of Steel. In this version, he returns from a five-year absence to find one-time love Lois Lane with a young child and a Pulitzer for explaining "Why the World Doesn't Need Superman." Strangely enough, it almost seems that the movie's creators agree with her -- at least when it comes to the superhero's proudly American identity.

Superman certainly isn't who he used to be. As everyone knows, from his very inception, Superman always fought for "Truth, Justice and the American Way." But in this new version, he fights for "Truth, Justice... and All That Stuff." How inspiring.

Certainly, Hollywood filmmakers want to distribute their films overseas. It's possible that someone felt that explicitly aligning Superman with American values and interests might alienate some foreign audiences. After all, these days, moviegoers abroad are used to seeing American films that depict the worst, rather than the best, of the American character.

But if that were the case, the phrase "the American way" could simply be dubbed out of the film's foreign versions, treated like other culturally inappropriate material when films are adapted for an overseas audience. As ridiculous as that arrangement would be, it could, at least, be defended as a business decision, albeit a repugnant one.

But there's more to it than that. It's not only that the film's creators believe that non-Americans would find the phrase offensive -- they themselves do, too.

According to reports in the New York Post, the screenwriters of the film wanted to avoid "outdated jingoism." One of them commented, ""I don't think 'the American way' means what it meant in 1945." The other noted, "He's not just for Metropolis and not just for America." Apparently, he's a new Superman for the global age.

The screenwriters are relatively young men, but the mindset their comments reflect has been characteristic of much of the left for forty years or more. Good, old-fashioned love of country and attachment to one's own city are derided as hopelessly unsophisticated, naive, even. The phrase "the American way" doesn't mean anything -- or if it does, it's nothing good. For the movie's screenwriters and people like them, America stands for little more than its shortcomings and setbacks. The generous, open-hearted nature of its people and its history -- an ongoing, noble struggle to realize more perfectly the principles the Founding Fathers articulated in the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence -- count for nothing.

Indeed, the cynicism of the Superman Returns screenwriters isn't even directed exclusively at America. Replacing "the American way" with "all that stuff" implies a certain dismissiveness of the concepts that precede it -- something like "Truth, Justice, blah, blah, blah." It's a crude but effective way to signal that no truly sophisticated person could wholeheartedly embrace such simplistic, old-fashioned virtues.

Perhaps it's all a sad sign of the times. Superman no longer fights for "the American way" because, for at least some Americans, it's nothing worth defending. Even "truth" and "justice" apparently lack the moral resonance they used to possess.

But eliminating "the American Way" from the Superman myth reveals a basic ignorance both of current events and of America's role in the world. Ensuring that "truth, justice and the American way" will prevail here at home is exactly why our soldiers fight today in Afghanistan and Iraq, and stand guard elsewhere around the world -- a world the United States has repeatedly protected through great sacrifice of its people's blood, toil and treasure. As we continue to fight the war on terror, it's worth remembering that a people lacking even basic knowledge of and confidence in the superiority of their own way of life cannot easily defeat an enemy that expresses active contempt for it.

It may be that oh-so-sophisticated moral relativists like Superman Returns's screenwriters have always been with us. But especially during wartime, the virtues that have made America great -- including truth, justice and, yes, "the American way" of decency and fair play -- should be celebrated, not dismissed. And denizens of Hollywood shouldn't project onto the legend of Superman -- that most uniquely American of superheroes -- the moral ambiguity and ambivalence that pollutes their own world view.

[Jakester]

I'm not sure that the writer has a firm grasp on reality. Every superhero movie takes a few liberties with the character and the world in which he/she lives. It's just part of the way movies and comic books work.
The writer is looking for a fight where there isn't one. I don't think Superman has had a "proudly American identity" since WWII. At least not in the way she is implying, which is "America - Fuck yeah!"-esque.

She focuses on the changing of "Truth, Justice, the American Way!" to "Truth, Justice -- all that stuff?" as a subtle condemnation by the screenwriters of the United States. And, I'm sorry, the line, in context, works on a comdeic level as spoken by Perry White, the crotchety old newsman. The entire tone of the scene would be different if the line were unchanged.

Sure, Superman is American -- he lives in America, and I'm sure he's still proud of the freedoms that this country enjoys, but his father charged him with helping the people of the planet, not just America. Surely we are much more aware of people halfway around the world than ever before -- of their cultures and myths, movies, and literature. Why shouldn't we give the most powerful and arguably selfless man on the planet a global conscience who sees beyong petty bickering of heads of state and appreciates the potential we as HUMANS (not Americans, Russians, Britons, etc.) can have if we'd unite? That's what I read into the subtext, but then again, maybe there isn't any subtext at all and it's just supposed to be an amusing line.

[Jakester]

Just saw this:
But especially during wartime, the virtues that have made America great -- including truth, justice and, yes, "the American way" of decency and fair play -- should be celebrated
Yes, they should. They should also be practiced by the current administration instead of being summarily dismissed.

[DaForce]

Honestly, the whole "truth, justice, and the American way" thing died out of the Superman comics back in the 60's. Superman is a world figure, not just a decidely American figure and it has been the prevalent world-view presence of Superman that has prevailed ever since. This 'arguement' is just another tired old fight that has some extreme right-wing conservatives crying 'it's all the Liberal media's fault!!' When honestly, it's not. It's been around for a lot longer than just the G.W. administration.

Superman: The Movie delivered the line where Superman tells Lois that he's there to fight for "..truth, justice, and the American Way." And Lois tells him (just as cynically) that he'll be fighting every politician in Washington. It was funny, and it was as true then (1978) as it is now. The misguided notion that politicians do anything 'American' or upstanding to protect their own citizenry went out with Watergate and the Vietnam war.

If you want to see an excellent discussion of the rise and fall and rise again of Superman in the media, American culture, and world culture, then direct your sights to A&E's two hour presentation that they've been playing for the last two weeks (it was just on last night).



Plus, is this really that big of an issue in the world? The exclusion of a phrase in a badly made movie? You'd think that politicos (or people that have enough time to waste by writing about the 'changes' of a fictional character that changed (and continues to change) 30+ years ago) would maybe put their considerable mouthpieces towards helping people instead of carping about a frickin' comic book character.

[LeiterCIA]

Superman: The Movie delivered the line where Superman tells Lois that he's there to fight for "..truth, justice, and the American Way." And Lois tells him (just as cynically) that he'll be fighting every politician in Washington.

And when she scoffs at the very idea, Superman looks right in the eye and says "Lois, I never lie." He conveys unflinching sincerity and purity. Which is exactly the point I made in a few posts on the 'review' side. This isnt about politics, it's about the fashionable cynicism which the screenwriters have embraced, and it doesnt sell cause people dont want it.

If you want to see an excellent discussion of the rise and fall and rise again of Superman in the media, American culture, and world culture, then direct your sights to A&E's two hour presentation that they've been playing for the last two weeks (it was just on last night).

I've seen this a few times (the one narrated by Spacey right?). It's excellent. (Not sre if you need AOL to view this, but here's a link. (http://television.aol.com/in2tv/superman-tv) And when you look at which incarnations of Superman fail, and which ones excel and are wildly embraced, the concept of cynicism vs. sincerity is a constant.

In the 70's, when the American psyche was down, Superman turned into a source of ridicule. No one wanted to see Superman as a fat, tired, out-dated icon. People didnt want to hear, "Lois is in trouble, I gotta split!" People want to hear "I'm here to fight for truth, justice, and the American way."

It was the non-cynical portait of Superman, that audiences wanted. Not a compromising cynical version. It was the cynicism of the 70's which made audiences eager for the pure, sincere Superman that Chris Reeve's executed so incredibly well. And the flawed, compromising Superman is all over this new version of the hero, not just in the new "all that stuff" tagllne. I think Singer and the screenwriters blew a great opportunity here.

You'd think that politicos (or people that have enough time to waste by writing about the 'changes' of a fictional character that changed (and continues to change) 30+ years ago) would maybe put their considerable mouthpieces towards helping people instead of carping about a frickin' comic book character. I stopped trying to understand you a while back amigo. Arent WE carping about a comic book character? And if liberals are just as patriotic as the "extreme right-wing conservatives", why is any 'carping' about "the American way" immediately dismissed as extreme right-wing conservatives "crying".

[DaForce]

I stopped trying to understand you a while back amigo. Arent WE carping about a comic book character? And if liberals are just as patriotic as the "extreme right-wing conservatives", why is any 'carping' about "the American way" immediately dismissed as extreme right-wing conservatives "crying".


Yup, we are. The only difference is, is that we aren't some syndicated columnists that write articles intended to stoke a fire that has long since died out. We're here talking about a bad movie. Frankly, the omission or addition of three words from said bad movie wouldn't have helped it out either way (except it might have gotten a bigger laugh from the audience, the same way the 1978 line did).

It just seems like conservatives (particularly the far right-wing) just want to start a fight over anything instead of just living their lives like the rest of us.


:dunno:

[LeiterCIA]

It just seems like conservatives (particularly the far right-wing) just want to start a fight over anything instead of just living their lives like the rest of us.

How is this article, one of many, picking a fight?

[DaForce]

How is this article, one of many, picking a fight?

The screenwriters are relatively young men, but the mindset their comments reflect has been characteristic of much of the left for forty years or more.


Superman no longer fights for "the American way" because, for at least some Americans, it's nothing worth defending. Even "truth" and "justice" apparently lack the moral resonance they used to possess.

Ensuring that "truth, justice and the American way" will prevail here at home is exactly why our soldiers fight today in Afghanistan and Iraq, and stand guard elsewhere around the world -- a world the United States has repeatedly protected through great sacrifice of its people's blood, toil and treasure.


This what I like to call the Moral High Horse that has been the arguement by the far right-wing for the last few years now. "Our morals are better than [insert favorite Boogeyman flavor of the minute]!!"

"If we scream it loud enough, then it might be true!!"

"We'll scream about it in every facet or angle we can find!!!"

Honestly, Leit, where in the hell does talk of Iraq (which was still invaded illegally :wink:) and Afghanistan belong in a movie review? Especially in a Superman movie review? :dunno:


It's a pointless arguement, and I'm done with the subject in this thread.

[Jakester]

Well, it's nice to know I was summarily ignored whilst trying to make the rare cohesive and non-sexual post. *sniff*

[DeathScythe]

Shocking! A non-sexual post by Jake!

Not so shocking though, is I think you nailed it (yeah yeah), Jake. I took it as more of a comedic line from a cynical somewhat grumpy press editor. As much as a father figure Perry White is to alot of Superman characters, he's not exactly the sort of person that would stand up and shout about "Truth, Justice and the Americian Way!" even though, he is undoubtedly proudly Americian. It's just not the sort of character he is. It would have felt completely wrong, atleast I think, had Perry not added that "all that stuff" line.

Now, if Supes himself had said it, THEN there would have been something behind it and there would be more things to be worried about.

-Lord Scythe-

[LeiterCIA]

Well, it's nice to know I was summarily ignored whilst trying to make the rare cohesive and non-sexual post. *sniff*

C'mere big fella. Group hug. :hugs:

The writer is looking for a fight where there isn't one.

She focuses on the changing of "Truth, Justice, the American Way!" to "Truth, Justice -- all that stuff?" as a subtle condemnation by the screenwriters of the United States. And, I'm sorry, the line, in context, works on a comdeic level as spoken by Perry White, the crotchety old newsman. The entire tone of the scene would be different if the line were unchanged.

I'd agree with you in part. The line, as spoken by Perry White, works. However, the absence of "and the American way" is too conspicuous to be dismissed -- and it appears that the comments by the screenwriters support that suspicion: "According to reports in the New York Post, the screenwriters of the film wanted to avoid "outdated jingoism." One of them commented, ""I don't think 'the American way' means what it meant in 1945." The other noted, "He's not just for Metropolis and not just for America." Apparently, he's a new Superman for the global age."

Sure, Superman is American -- he lives in America, and I'm sure he's still proud of the freedoms that this country enjoys, but his father charged him with helping the people of the planet, not just America. I dont think it's just an accident that the classic line "and the American way" is a part of the classic Superman vernacular. The story of Superman has always been very much the story of America. When you consider that Superman was created by Jewish-American immigrants -- a story of a child who is exiled from a doomed planet, lands in heartland America, and is adopted and raised by American parents. It's as apple pie as you get.

It's not arrogance, it's pride in what America represents. Even if people cannot agree on what America should be doing in the world -- even if we can't agree on who we want to represent American ideals -- we can at LEAST agree that Superman is a good American symbol, cant we?

[Space Tycoon]

Actually, in fairness, I think Libeau has a point--right up until this line:

Ensuring that "truth, justice and the American way" will prevail here at home is exactly why our soldiers fight today in Afghanistan and Iraq, and stand guard elsewhere around the world....

That is not why American, British and Canadian troops are over there. They are there for reasons which I will not get into here. Suffice to say, you won't want to hear them. :smirks:


It was the non-cynical portait of Superman, that audiences wanted. Not a compromising cynical version. It was the cynicism of the 70's which made audiences eager for the pure, sincere Superman that Chris Reeve's executed so incredibly well. And the flawed, compromising Superman is all over this new version of the hero, not just in the new "all that stuff" tagllne. I think Singer and the screenwriters blew a great opportunity here.

And that's exactly why The Lord of the Rings film trilogy was as successful as it was. It wasn't just the great effects, costumes, acting etc. It was the presence of that uncompromising lack of cynicism. The innocent heroism and idealism of the Hobbits, Elves, Men and others stood in contrast to the unhappy times in which the films were released.

I haven't seen Superman returns. I'm not sure if I want to. I might just wait for DVD.



.

[TrekSucksHard]

If Superman truly stood for the "American Way" he would be spearheading the U.S. assault on Iran instead of going after Lex- thats exactly how Frank Miller wrote him in "Batman: The Dark Knight Returns".

[neglet]

It was the non-cynical portait of Superman, that audiences wanted. Not a compromising cynical version. It was the cynicism of the 70's which made audiences eager for the pure, sincere Superman that Chris Reeve's executed so incredibly well. And the flawed, compromising Superman is all over this new version of the hero, not just in the new "all that stuff" tagline. I think Singer and the screenwriters blew a great opportunity here.

I guess I'm not seeing how the new Superman (the character, not the movie) is any more flawed and compromising than the old one. I thought this version of Supes had the same sense of right and wrong, the same sense of sincerity and sacrifice, as any of the older versions. I think a main difference in the character is that many of the choices he faces are more personal and immediate than in the older films.

Consider: Superman returns after five years to find the woman he loves engaged and with a son (which could be his). When he finally gets a chance to talk to her alone and explain where's been, does he use it to restart their relationship? No, he doesn't--he stops himself from kissing her because he knows she's engaged and her son sees another man as his father. He sacrifices his personal happiness because he knows it's the right thing to do. He returns to face Luthor, despite the presence of potentially fatal green Kryptonite, because someone must.

When he discusses whether the world still needs Superman, he's very straightforward with Lois: he says the world may not need a savior, but he hears people crying out for one every day--that's why he has returned, why he still patrols the skies around the world. I don't know how much more straightforward, sincere, and noncynical he could get about his purpose. That point is further underscored with all the Jor-El dialogue about responsibility, and with {spoiler if you haven't seen film} the revelation that Superman himself is a father. He accepts that responsibility as well, and again sacrifices his personal happiness to ensure his son's continued happiness and peace of mind.
Is it the new Superman character and/or movie that is more cynical, or is it the world we live in? I think the film addresses that question with the subject of Lois's editorial: "Why the World Doesn't Need Superman." The question is raised, but the film's answer is a resounding, uncynical yes: if people need help, Superman will be there, no matter what the personal cost.

I agree with Jake, that the "and all that" line, coming from Perry White's mouth, has a comic reading--and in addition, it sets up the idea that the world Superman lives in may be too cynical to believe in truth and justice, but Superman himself is not.

I would actually argue there is more cynicism in taking a single line from a film, assuming it has some hidden, negative meaning, and twisting it around to make a political attack. Who but a cynic would immediately assume some sinister Hollywood attack on American values based on a single line of dialogue?

[sickness]

I dont think it's just an accident that the classic line "and the American way" is a part of the classic Superman vernacular. The story of Superman has always been very much the story of America. When you consider that Superman was created by Jewish-American immigrants -- a story of a child who is exiled from a doomed planet, lands in heartland America, and is adopted and raised by American parents. It's as apple pie as you get.

The tidbit about Jewish-American immigrants creating Superman may be partially true but one of the creators is Canadian and Metropolis is supposed to be a double for Toronto the same way Gotham is New York.

[LeiterCIA]

I guess I'm not seeing how the new Superman (the character, not the movie) is any more flawed and compromising than the old one. Ok, leaving aside the other elements of the movie which adds to the overall sense of 'flawed cynicism', I'll respond just to the character himself.

And just for the record, I dont HATE the movie. I dont think Routh/Singer's Superman is totally unlikeable, I'm just pointing out where I think they made wrong turns in the movie, where the 1977 Superman excelled.

Consider: Superman returns after five years to find the woman he loves engaged and with a son (which could be his). When he finally gets a chance to talk to her alone and explain where's been, does he use it to restart their relationship? No, he doesn't--he stops himself from kissing her because he knows she's engaged and her son sees another man as his father. He sacrifices his personal happiness because he knows it's the right thing to do. See I read that scene VERY differently. They both moved in for the kiss, and Lois was the one who stopped and backed away, saying "Richard is a good man." He seemed completely ready to pick up where he left off, despite taking off for five years, and despite the fact that she's a mom with a child and living with the boy's father.

Then, when his advances are not returned, he flies to Lois and Richard's house. He spies in the window with his x-ray vision, and listens in on thier conversation. I thought the scene in Superman 3, when 'evil Superman' makes the moves on Lana, was slightly less creepy.

{spoiler if you haven't seen film} The revelation that Superman himself is a father. He accepts that responsibility as well, and again sacrifices his personal happiness to ensure his son's continued happiness and peace of mind.

Actually, you touched on something else which was bothering me, but didnt quite put my finger on it till you mentioned it: Superman finds out he's the father. He pays the son a visit, and obviously welling with pride. Granted. But, what does he do next? Does he propose to Lois? Tell her he wants them to raise thier son together? No, he flies off. The son is waving good-bye out the window, like he's saying "See ya next weekend Dad." And he says to Lois. "I'll always be around." before flying off. It's Superman the dead-beat dad!

You might throw out some good arguments as to why that's the better decision in the long run, but it didnt give me a good feeling watching the movie.

What can I say? Bottomline is, I prefered my Superman as a "over-grown Boy Scout."

I would actually argue there is more cynicism in taking a single line from a film, assuming it has some hidden, negative meaning, and twisting it around to make a political attack. Who but a cynic would immediately assume some sinister Hollywood attack on American values based on a single line of dialogue? I'd agree with you if the screenwriters had said that they just wanted to add a twist to a recognizable line. However, the screen-writers replied by saying 'the American way' line was "outdated jingoism" and also said, "I don't think 'the American way' means what it meant in 1945."

It's not a sinister Hollywood attack, but it's worth noticing, and worth sending a message to the screenwriters that we'd prefer the old Superman.

[LeiterCIA]

...but one of the creators is Canadian and Metropolis is supposed to be a double for Toronto. That's the first I ever heard that.

[neglet]

See I read that scene VERY differently. They both moved in for the kiss, and Lois was the one who stopped and backed away, saying "Richard is a good man." He seemed completely ready to pick up where he left off, despite taking off for five years, and despite the fact that she's a mom with a child and living with the boy's father.

Then, when his advances are not returned, he flies to Lois and Richard's house. He spies in the window with his x-ray vision, and listens in on thier conversation. I thought the scene in Superman 3, when 'evil Superman' makes the moves on Lana, was slightly less creepy.

But I don't think the near-kiss was initiated by Superman; at the very least they were equal participants. So when Lois mentions Richard, does Supes believe what she says now, or does he believe how she reacted to him, and what she said to Clark earlier about "someone different" she just "clicked" with? He's unsure, so he listens to her interacting with Richard. He hears for himself how Richard loves Lois, and then he hears Lois herself say she didn't love Superman. I didn't find this sequence creepy, I found it tragic: Superman realizing his true love has really moved on and has no place for him in her life.

Remember, he didn't just swoop in and say "I'm back? Did you miss me?" before contacting Lois one on one. He got a sense (through Clark's observations) that he couldn't just pick things up where he left off. When he finally approaches Lois, her behavior is contradictory, so he observes her without her knowledge to find out the truth.

Actually, you touched on something else which was bothering me, but didnt quite put my finger on it till you mentioned it: Superman finds out he's the father. He pays the son a visit, and obviously welling with pride. Granted. But, what does he do next? Does he propose to Lois? Tell her he wants them to raise thier son together? No, he flies off. The son is waving good-bye out the window, like he's saying "See ya next weekend Dad." And he says to Lois. "I'll always be around." before flying off. It's Superman the dead-beat dad!

You might throw out some good arguments as to why that's the better decision in the long run, but it didnt give me a good feeling watching the movie.

Superman as much as anyone knows the power of the adoptive bond. The boy thinks Richard is his father. What would it accomplish for Supes to proclaim himself the boy's father? Lois says she doesn't love him. Supes has also seen Richard's courage and value for himself. At worst, he would tear a loving family apart. At best, he creates confusion for the boy, and perhaps places him in danger. But because he is Superman, a man of honor and sacrifice, he steps aside, while still vowing to protect and watch over his family despite his personal pain.

I'd agree with you if the screenwriters had said that they just wanted to add a twist to a recognizable line. However, the screen-writers replied by saying 'the American way' line was "outdated jingoism" and also said, "I don't think 'the American way' means what it meant in 1945."

It's not a sinister Hollywood attack, but it's worth noticing, and worth sending a message to the screenwriters that we'd prefer the old Superman.

Seeing as it was the NY Post that reported this supposed comment, I'd take it with a grain of salt. I still think getting all worked up over one line of dialogue, as the author of the original article did, is going overboard.

[sickness]

Jerome Siegel was born in Cleveland, Ohio. Joe Shuster was born in Canada and his family moved to Cleveland in 1931.

[Intelligent_Design]

Kinda OT: I wonder how the Supes myth would turn out had he landed in Russia, Or Nazi Germany.

[DaForce]

Kinda OT: I wonder how the Supes myth would turn out had he landed in Russia, Or Nazi Germany.

If you can get a copy of the DC Elseworlds Tradepaperback called "Red Son", you'll get the Russia answer. Very well done.

No one has touched the Nazi one as far as I know.

[Jakester]

He's got heat vision ... er.... I'm done.

[Bill_the_Pony]

Kinda OT: I wonder how the Supes myth would turn out had he landed in Russia, Or Nazi Germany.

I.D., Back in the late 70's there was a Saturday Night Live sketch of a discussion panel called "What If...", and they covered the topic of Kal-El landing in Nazi Germany.

Dan Ackroyd played Klaus Kent/Uberman, with John Belushi as Jor El.

Here is the script for it! (http://snltranscripts.jt.org/78/78jwhatif.phtml) :)

[LeiterCIA]

He's got heat vision ... er.... I'm done.

I thought the same thing, but didnt dare touch it! ;)

[LeiterCIA]

To anyone tired of the topic, yet clicked on the link anyway, please move along and dont throw daggers at me and accuse me of 'stoking' or 'picking' anything...

To anyone else, I thought this intentionally non-political post I saw on another blog really hit the nail on the head, and offered some interesting perspective.

Mark Beall's Geek Beat: Truth, Justice, and All That Other Stuff

Please read and fully digest the following statement before you engage yourself with today's edition of the Geek Beat. It's written in bold, for extra emphasis. Don't miss it. Ready? Okay:

The following rant is in NO WAY meant to be anything resembling a political issue. This is not a politics blog, and the last thing I want to do is open that can of worms. Please don't read the title of this article and infer its contents. This is a geek rant, NOT POLITICS. Got it? Good, let's move on.

Perhaps you've heard the angry hubbub slowly brimming in the media about this. If you are an old school Superman fan, you noticed it yourself when you watched the movie, because it jumped right out and smacked you in the face. When discussing the return of Superman, a character pondered aloud if he still stood for "truth, justice, and all that stuff." And thanks to the old television show, just about everyone on earth knows that traditionally, Superman stood for "truth, justice, and the American way." Somehow, the former doesn't quite have the zing of the latter. The basic debate on the issue goes something like this:
Angry Conservative Talk Show Host: Blah blah blah Hollywood hates America blah blah blah.
Movie Writers/Actors/Etc: Blah blah blah Political Correctness blah blah blah.
Angry Conservative Talk Show Host: Blah blah liberal pinko commies blah blah blah.
Movie Writers/Actors/Etc: Blah blah international hero blah blah blah.

And that more or less sums up the discussion which has been happening since the seemingly innocuous little line was uttered by Perry White a few days ago. There has been a lot of back and forth about why it was changed, and mostly each side just accuses the other of not understanding the world today. It probably doesn't help that the film released so close to the 4th of July. They've turned it into a big political issue, but politics isn't really my beef with the change. I know politics was involved in the decision and I understand the points being made on both sides. I think the issue the simpler, though.

Look, I understand the world isn't super keen on America these days. I understand you need your movie to sell big overseas, because you spent a TON of money on this bad boy. If you are a movie guy, and you think "hey, I need to sell this film to people who don't like America, maybe I ought to think twice about including a very American line," I get that. My personal opinions are completely irrelevant, because I didn't make the film. In fact, if you want to avoid "the American way" simply because your personal mindset doesn't like the concept, that's your prerogative. You made the film, you choose what makes the cut. Likewise, it's the prerogative of people who disagree with you to complain about it or to not watch your movie. I get that. I'm down. There's probably an ironic statement to be made here about the nature of capitalism, open debate, and personal choice being part of the American Way, but I'm too good to make that joke. Honestly, I GET the decision to hold back on this line. Not saying what my stance on the issue is, but it at least makes sense to me.

I hear you out there asking "but Mark, if the politics doesn't bother you, why are you joining the debate on this issue?" It's cool, kiddos, I've got a point here.

Okay, let me set the scene for you. It is a short time in the future, and you are just settling in to watch the new Fantastic Four flick, which has promised you a whole lot more superhero action and adventure. The ever-lovin' blue-eyed Thing finds himself on Yancy Street, surrounded by baddies and itching for a fight. He drops the trench coat, cracks his knuckles, and declares "it's time to hit some people!"

No, of course not. Ben Grimm always says "It's clobberin' time!" It's one of the most famous battle cries in comicbookdom, and fans know him for it.

Let's try again. Imagine you are watching the first Spider-Man movie. We go through the whole Uncle Ben buildup to death, Peter runs up and cradles his beloved Uncle in his arms, and Uncle Ben imparts his last bit of advice, reminding Peter "with great power comes some other stuff you've got to do."

Right? No. The long-standing and well-known line is "with great power comes great responsibility." Fans would have risen up and lynched Sam Raimi if he'd changed that line -- and rightfully so.

How about if Beast declared "oh my stars and eyeglasses," or the Human Torch dove off a building and ignited with a cry of "fire time!"? Would you just sit by and nod your head as if these were perfectly normal things to say? No, you'd be outraged at the changing of a classic line so clearly and definitively linked with a particular character. And that's my problem with "truth, justice, and all that stuff." The writers can stop telling me about a changing world climate, an era of tolerance, blah blah blah. Don't care about politics, you messed with something that's WAY beyond you to touch. You aren't ALLOWED to make the decision to change that line, because the line is bigger than you'll ever be. People will remember "truth, justice, and the American way" for decades, and most people don't even know your name currently.

"But Mark," you ask with a quivering question in your voice, "I thought you said you were okay with the politics behind the decision. Are you really just a lying hate monger?" No, man. Like I said above, I GET the decision. I understand. But there's a MUCH easier solution here. You'd better eat some brain food though, because this is graduate level thinking. Ready?

DON'T INCLUDE THE LINE AT ALL. Wow. Crazy, right? Honestly, let's think this through. Would you be particularly offended if The Thing never said anything resembling "it's clobberin' time"? True Believers would probably be sad the line didn't make the cut, but that'd be about it. We could do without Beast saying "Oh my stars and garters" and it wouldn't be a big deal. What WOULD be a big deal is including a perverted version of the lines. You don't mess with some things. The writers, who self-righteously cling to their politically correct defense (again, a reasonable defense), could have avoided the entire controversy by simply not including the line. It was unnecessary to the film, and very few people would have complained about its absence. No offending people by including perceived American ideology, and no offending fans by messing up. But instead, you chose to take a very well-known line directly associated with a very well-known hero, and twist it around. And now you've got a mini-fervor brewing about it for no good reason. Congratulations. Stay away from The Thing, okay?

http://www.cinematical.com/2006/07/04/mark-bealls-geek-beat-truth-justice-and-all-that-other-stuff/

[sickness]

He would have a totally awesome point if it were Supes saying it but it's said by a jaded newspaper editor who wants to sell copies talking to his staff that knows exactly what he's talking about. No need to spell out every little thing to them.

[DaForce]

*sigh*


Great, but all his points are about changing a line that's very specific to what a character says.

The only time you ever see or hear the words "..truth, justice, and the American Way" is by either the narrator or Supes himself (and that was in the 1950's!!). Perry White would never say it because it's not in that character's makeup, and it would sound silly and patronizing coming from that character. Anyone that has ever read the comic for longer than a year would know this already.

See, this is what happens when people (in this case, the author you quoted) who only have less than a passing knowledge with the subject matter that they're trying to write about try to explain things to the even less knowledgeable. They try to pass themselves as knowledgeable by saying 'if you're an old school Superman fan', when you know the guy (and the people that are eating this stuff up) probably doesn't even know the simple rudiments of the mythos in detail let alone having picked up a Superman comic in the last 20 years.


So here's an idea....if you're bugged about the omission of the "..and the American way.." line, wait until it hits DVD and do a re-edit for yourself. Because frankly, that's the only way you're ever going to hear it.

[LeiterCIA]

So here's an idea....if you're bugged about the omission of the "..and the American way.." line,

More bugged that the film-makers admittedly injected thier politics into my all-time favorite comic legend.

...wait until it hits DVD and do a re-edit for yourself.

Nah... I wont be seeing this one again. And not just cause of thier positions.

[Jakester]

They didn't inject politics into it. In fact, it sounds as if they were trying real hard to keep any perception of politics out of the film.

[LeiterCIA]

They didn't inject politics into it. In fact, it sounds as if they were trying real hard to keep any perception of politics out of the film. Had they left the line out of the film altogether, as the blogger above suggested, then I would agree. But again, the screen-writers chose to put the abbreviated phrase in the film, and have made it clear to interviewers exactly why they did it that way, and have given thier explanations for the move.

[tstone]

Just saw this:

Yes, they should. They should also be practiced by the current administration instead of being summarily dismissed.


Amen, bro.

[jayce78]

I certainly understand what your trying to say there LeiterCIA . . . . and I agree with a lot of what your saying ,

But Truth & Justice can hopefully be everyone's way on the planet earth , not just our country. . .

And that cetainly is the way of Superman love for all humanity.

I can't get into the mindset of the writer's / althought they are young , but I don't think it was meant to upset or alter the mythos. . . .

[LeiterCIA]

But Truth & Justice can hopefully be everyone's way on the planet earth , not just our country. . .

I can certainly understand the debate of 'I dont like Condi Rice representing America', 'I dont like John Bolton representing America', 'I dont like George W. Bush representing America'... etc. etc. etc....

You'd think we'd be able to agree, 'Yes,... I like SUPERMAN representing America. Let HIM stand for truth, justice, and the AMERICAN way!'

[SinisterPryde]

Heheheh, I just watched the first Max Fleischer Superman cartoon. I was very amused when the Narrator announced that Superman "Fights for Truth and Justice!" And that's it. No "American Way".

I, uh, was just amused by it. That's all. I've got nothing else to say...

[tstone]

Yeah, if you are going to say, "The American Way", you'd have to ask, "Which one?"