"Superman Returns"

[Andrew J. Pottenger]

:fav18 :fav18 :fav18

Has anyone seen this yet? I'd say it easily matches the first two films Christopher Reeve did for sheer fun and excitement. There was nothing about this film that fell short, and actually I'd say it outdoes the original films even while staying faithful to their iconic stature.

Brandon Routh doesn't just make a good Superman; he really IS Superman!

[Mark Doble]

I have not seen it yet as it open tonight in our area. I do plan to see it this weekend sometime.
I must say though, Lois Lane is my favourite character. :basic05

A few years ago I collected most of the original Superman comic books.
Also Batman and Robin, Green Lantern, Spiderman, Vampire, etc...

Did you know that most of the super heros were related to each other in real life?

[Gary Swartzlander]

We also have not seen it, but the reviews I've seen have been very positive and indicate it is a fun movie. Look forward to seeing it at some time.

[Andrew J. Pottenger]

I have not seen it yet as it open tonight in our area. I do plan to see it this weekend sometime.
I must say though, Lois Lane is my favourite character. :basic05

A few years ago I collected most of the original Superman comic books.
Also Batman and Robin, Green Lantern, Spiderman, Vampire, etc...

Did you know that most of the super heros were related to each other in real life?

I think Margot Kidder in the old films will always be Lois Lane for me, but Erica Durance makes a great Lois in the Smallville TV show. Kate Bosworth did a nice job of portraying Lois as having matured through the experience of having a child ... even though she must be at least eight to ten years younger than Margot Kidder was.

All the superheroes were related to each other how? I know Supergirl is Superman's cousin, and that Wonder Girl was Wonder Woman's little sister or something like that. But how would Batman and Superman be related?

[Dana Grant]

It bothers me that one of our great superheros is now portrayed as a father with a child, and he is not married to the mother. Why did they have to do that? So much for heros in my book. It's hard for me to think that people are okay with that.

[Nelson Bradford]

wanna see one of the FIVE t-shirts my daughters gave me for Father's Day 2006?

I think it's FAB and wore it this past Wed.

:)

[Billy Cox]

It bothers me that one of our great superheros is now portrayed as a father with a child, and he is not married to the mother. Why did they have to do that? So much for heros in my book. It's hard for me to think that people are okay with that.

There is an underlying theme with many of the superheroes that close relationships slow them down and increase their vulnerability. I don't let that bother me. It seems that those who do extraordinary things in history have very little family encumbrance or maybe none at all.

[Jon Twitchell]

There is an underlying theme with many of the superheroes that close relationships slow them down and increase their vulnerability. I don't let that bother me. It seems that those who do extraordinary things in history have very little family encumbrance or maybe none at all.

I guess Jesus was most vulnerable when He let love get in the way too...

(I know that's not entirely what was meant by your comment, or the critique that led to your comment...at the same time, I can't help but be reminded of Jesus whenever I see a superhero lay down or sacrifice their powers because of someone they love.)

[Andrew J. Pottenger]

My take on her response was that she was concerned about the morality of Superman having a child out of wedlock. Am I right, or way off the mark?

[Dana Grant]

My take on her response was that she was concerned about the morality of Superman having a child out of wedlock. Am I right, or way off the mark?

You are right on the mark. I would not take kids to see that movie. Not a good example of what a hero is, if you ask me.

[Jon Twitchell]

I understood that.

I was taking a tangent off from what Billy said.

[Dana Grant]

I understood that.

I was taking a tangent off from what Billy said.

JON! Tangents are very dangerous places to visit!!! HA HA HA HA

(just kidding)

[Jon Twitchell]

:)

[Andrew J. Pottenger]

Ah, see? I knew I was way off the mark somewhere! Sorry, Jon.

[Barbara Moulton]

I thought it was an amazing movie.

While I understand Dana's thoughts about him having a son, it didn't deter me from seeing the movie with my daughter. I don't expect heroes to be perfect. They will mistakes. What counts is what they then do about those mistakes.

He didn't shack up with Lois and carry on an affair, having children out of wedlock. As I read, the intimacy of their relationship led to them spending one night together and her subsequent pregnancy. He left before he knew she was pregnant.

He didn't even know he had a son until almost the end of the movie. He then seems to handle it in the best way he can. (I won't give away the ending for those who haven't seen it yet.)

The themes of personal sacrifice for the greater good are rooted throughout the movie. The man who could have been angry and vindictive (Lois's fiance) was just as much a hero as Superman (in my opinion) even though he didn't have any supernatural powers.

[Andrew J. Pottenger]

Like Barbara, I understood Dana's concern as well. I just didn't agree enough so that I avoided or didn't enjoy the film.

C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien have been a huge help to me where modern media are concerned, especially when it comes to storytelling. They discussed between themselves the idea of the "true myth" (do a Google search on "true myth" and one of their names to read some good stuff on this idea).

One part of what they said was a response to the idea of pagan myths (Greek, Roman, Celtic, Norse, etc.) being satanic lies. Far from being Satan's attempt to counterfeit the truths of Scripture, Lewis and Tolkien believed, pagan myths (or stories) were instances of men, other than God's inspired and chosen people, being aware of and attempting to understand the transcendent. Their ideas and conclusions were sometimes close and sometimes way off base; sometimes they may have even had quite accurate insights later backed up by our Scriptures.

The point is that these were not evil men writing evil stories for evil purposes, but merely men - without the illumination of the Holy Spirit, but not without His prevenient grace at work within them - trying to understand God and themselves.

In the same way, modern stories like Harry Potter, Star Wars, and Superman are modern myths - modern/post-modern men and women telling stories that address and attempt to understand God and ourselves. They may contain certain imperfections in ethics, theology, or other things that contradict revealed truth from Scripture and Christian tradition ... but should we hold them to blame for that? When a non-Christian is willing to discuss spiritual things, should we not rejoice in that rather than feel threatened with "lies?" Even if they "get it wrong," we can at least appreciate that the attempt was made to raise the issue in the first place.

This isn't said to "flame" Dana or put down her views or the views of those who agree with her. It's just said to put forth what I think and why I think it.