Usually, I wait until the opening weekend hubbub of a newly released blockbuster film has died down to join the throng in the theater. In this case, I made an exception for the new Superman movie. I was eager to see what all the to-do was about with the MAGA claim that it was ‘woke’. I shook my head in bewilderment since Superman, with his idealization of ‘truth, justice and the American way,’ rang with the values that I would like to think, mirror my own and would be criticized with the pejorative ‘woke’. I do hold that the last two words (American way) are aspirational. I grew up reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, knowing that the words ‘with liberty and justice for all,’ itself, were aspirational, since our nation was founded by men who unapologetically owned human beings.
I grew up on Superman comic books and the classic films starring Christopher Reeve. I didn’t think it was possible for anyone to solidly play the role after Reeve’s death in 2004, following a horseback riding accident in 1995, until I saw Philly native David Corenswet decked out in the blue unitard with red cape and undies. He has the same dimples and boyish charm as the original character portrayed by Reeve, with some of the ‘aw shucks’ of his Kansas upbringing. The only thing that made me cringe a bit, was that his earthly adoptive parents, Jonathan and Martha Kent had Southern accents, rather than speaking the way mid-westerners would have sounded. A powerful piece of advice offered from father to son, “Your choices, your actions. That’s what makes you who you are.”
The cartoon superhero characters were in full play as Supe was joined by The Green Lantern, Hawk Girl and Mr. Terrific who came to his aid when he was weakened and injured a few times in the film. His long time love interest, Lois Lane, who learned of his dual identity as Clark Kent and Superman, a few films back, was played by The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel herself, Rachel Brosnahan. Bald headed nemesis Lex Luthor was at his evil best as he sicced his metahuman minions that came from the Pocket Dimension after Superman over and over in an attempt to obliterate someone who he loathed because Superman was drawing attention away from him and was beloved in ways he wasn’t. Luthor preferred to rule by fear as the Man of Steel preferred to relate with love and compassion. There go those ‘woke’ values again.
The film begins with geopolitical chaos and accusations that Superman intervened in a war between two neighboring countries to stop one from taking over the other. Echoes of Ukraine and Russia. Lex Luthor had an interest in the outcome of the battle which comes to light later in the film. Superman made it clear that he was not representing the US, but that he had stepped in because people were being needlessly killed and subjugated. In an attempt to damage Superman’s reputation, Luthor breaks into the Fortress of Solitude and tampers with a recording sent by Superman’s Kryptonian parents Jor-el and Lara to make it appear as if their offspring who they sent to Earth before their home world exploded, had evil intent and rather than being a force for good, wanted to subjugate the populous. Every accusation is an admission. Sound familiar?
Luthor’s monologue near the end of the film speaks volumes about his motivation. “I’m aware envy consumes my every waking moment. I know when they mention Galileo, or Einstein, or one of these other twits in the same breath as me, I feel a tight vomit in the back of my throat! But at least Galileo did something. He wasn’t some “dopey illusion”, catapulted onto this planet, just to have the world fawn over him because his strength illuminates how weak we all really are! So my envy is a calling! It is the sole hope for humanity! Because it is what has driven me to annihilate you!”
Fake news appeared about Superman including that he had a ‘secret harem’. This narrative could not be more timely. No wonder MAGA folks are panning it, including Dean Cain who had portrayed Superman in the tv series Lois and Clark. He objected to the focus on Superman being an immigrant and supporting immigrants, including one Middle Eastern food vendor. Dude, Superman is the ultimate immigrant who came here undocumented to save his life, and became a productive adult beyond what most who are born here, accomplish.
People who previously praised their hero, now turned against him. His friends at the Daily Planet- Perry White, Jimmy Olson and of course, Lois Lane steadfastly stood by his side. Once he is vindicated, the world embraces him again…whew!
Another aspect of the movie addresses the Clark Kent/Superman dual identity as ‘alien’ and human. Nature vs. nurture. He is called on to reconcile his ‘otherness’ with being part of the community of humanity. The comic distraction comes in the form of an adorable, but incorrigible pup named Krypto, whose energy level is warp speed and can even knock over his foster father Superman. At the end of the film, viewers get to see who the dog’s true owner is and his behavior makes sense.
This film calls out the superhero human in all of us.
A blink and you’ll miss it cameo of a reporter, is played by Christopher Reeve’s son Will. He was delighted with the movie and felt it did his father proud.
