Welcome back, if you’ve been keeping up. If you’re new, check out parts one, two, and three if you get the chance. Here in part four we’ll talk about story, tone, the weight of the world, and the message a Superman film should convey.
THE FILM’S STORY
Superman’s story should be a love story. Not in the way you might think. Not Lois and Clark but Superman and the world. You’ve heard the formula “boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy wins girl back”. Same premise. “Superman meets world, Superman scares world, Superman earns world’s trust”.
It’s essential that a Superman movie establish his relationship to mankind, especially an origin story. Audiences need to see his introduction and everyone’s initial reaction to him. Then we can follow the progression of their relationship as the film moves along. We haven’t seen this in any of the films thus far.
“Superman: The Movie” shows his introduction but not how the rest of the world reacts to him. There’s the moment in the Daily Planet where Perry reads off the Superman headlines from other newspapers. But there’s no real idea of the impact Superman’s arrival had on the rest of the world. And, as mentioned in the last part of this editorial, the film shifts gears, focusing on Superman and Lois’s budding romance.
It’s similar in “Superman Returns”. There’s media frenzy over his return but nothing really outside of Metropolis. Then the story turns to Superman trying to find a place in Lois’ life again.
It’s unfortunate, given the premise of the film – Superman returning after five years to find the world has moved on without him. Instead it ends up less about Superman and Earth and more Superman and his new family.
In “Man of Steel” there’s no relationship established between Clark and mankind at all. We see how the U.S. government reacts to him but what about everyone else? In Zod’s message he claims, “Your world has sheltered one of my citizens”. In truth, Earth doesn’t know Clark even exists until Zod lays down his ultimatum.
If Clark built a connection with the people of Earth, Zod’s message would carry weight.
With a relationship in place it’s not just about what Clark does but what Earth does. However, with no ties to the man whatsoever, it’s a no-brainer - of course Earth hands him over.
And just what should Superman and Earth’s relationship look like? Simple.
“What’s So Funny About Truth, Justice & the American Way?”
You can’t “modernize” a character. You can put that character in a contemporary setting but the character is who he/she is. The trick comes in seeing how that character adapts. Action Comics #775 is one of the best Superman stories ever told. It’s timeless, as poignant now as it was nearly thirteen years ago. If you haven’t read it, find a copy.
It’s Superman in a world like the one we live in now. Where heroes are shades of gray. Where a moral compass is as much of a relic as VHS. Beings like the Elite, who kill their enemies, are seen as “cool” and Superman old fashioned. What happens when you throw all of this together?
Put. This. On. Screen.
Not animated. And not the Elite specifically but the premise. Do this story and you might end up with conversations on things like “social commentary” and “what’s expected of our heroes”. The film would have people talking, audiences and critics, all for the right reasons.
THE FILM’S TONE
Richard Donner’s “Superman: The Movie” carried a lighter, dramatic tone with moments of camp. It was sparse on action but what set pieces it did have were thrilling and memorable. This was a movie parents were comfortable taking their whole family to see.
For many, Christopher Reeve brought Superman and Clark Kent to life. As such, the 1978 film holds a permanent place in audiences' hearts. So, naturally, any future incarnation is going to draw comparisons to Donner and Reeve's take.
Snyder’s "Man of Steel" goes an entirely different route than the previous entries. It's a serious and tragic telling of the character. More intense. Fans unhappy with the film’s tone are often accused of expecting homage to Donner's film like "Superman Returns".
But maybe that isn't it at all. Maybe these fans just wanted the same feeling they experienced watching Donner's film.
That thrilling sense of joy and adventure the movie gave audiences. The feeling that made kids, (and kids at heart), grab the largest towel they could find, tie it around their necks and fly around the house to John Williams' score.
Yes, it's severely dated. Yes, the film is flawed but the spirit of Superman is still there and just maybe that's what audiences want but didn't get with “Man of Steel” or “Superman Returns”.
A Superman film doesn’t have to be direly serious in order to be taken seriously. He’s a figure of inspiration so the tone should reflect that. Though the film may get dark at times it would only be so Superman can shine his brightest.
Above all else, it should be a film the entire family can enjoy. A film lifelong Superman fans can take their kids to see and introduce them to the hero they looked up to while growing up. And still do.
And just maybe those kids will grab towels of their own.
THE FILM’S MESSAGE
We need a superhero film with a positive message. Something both rousing and uplifting. A film that stands out from the gritty franchises centered around angst ridden heroes. What better property to do that than Superman?
The very nature of the character sets him apart from every other hero out there. Because, while characters like Iron Man wrestle with post traumatic stress disorder in “Iron Man 3” and Wolverine with the regret of having to kill Jean Grey in “The Wolverine”, Superman deals with a much bigger issue – showing a jaded world there’s greatness in us all.
That’s not to say the whole movie should be nothing but butterflies and rainbows. No one’s asking for…
CLARK: It’s a good thing Superman was around. (winks at the audience).
But what about a faithful adaptation of the character – morally sound, strong convictions, a powerful belief that mankind can make each day brighter than the last. Is an outlook like this naïve? Maybe. Unrealistic? Absolutely not.
To reiterate a point used before, pessimism is not “more realistic” the optimism. There’s more to the world than fear, suspicion and paranoia. Focusing on those aspects of humanity doesn’t make a story more profound. It’s a lot tougher to maintain faith in others even when it appears they don’t deserve it.
A Superman movie is the perfect way to express that. While people choose not to expect much from one another so they aren’t “disappointed when they eventually let you down”, Superman chooses to see the best in others. He encourages us to do the same.
His way takes effort. It requires more of us and comes with enormous emotional risk to one’s self. The film’s message should stay with the audience long after the credits roll. A call to action so to speak.
THE WEIGHT OF THE WORLD
Superman’s adventures are unique. When you pick up a comic for The Flash or Captain America, you fear for the hero’s safety. But not Superman. And nor should you. That’s not the point of his stories. It’s not about his safety - it’s about the safety of those he’s sworn to protect.
Superman may be all powerful but the rest of the world is very mortal. And despite all that power he’s still only one man. And there’s the dilemma. How does he decide who to save? If he chooses to stop a runaway train, a group of construction workers may die in an accident across town.
And how many people would blame him for it? Bank robbers get away from the police. Blame Superman for not being there to stop them. A bomber takes out a bus full of passengers. Where was Superman? He may possess the power of a god but he isn’t god. He can only be in one place at time.
Superman has assumed responsibility for the entire planet. It’s his home. And no matter how many times he saves it Earth will always be in trouble. Its people will always be in danger – from themselves and Clark’s enemies.
This angle would be better suited in a sequel than a first film. A sequel would show the enormity of the weight he bares as Earth’s protector. And, as a bonus, this would help tie into the rest of Warner’s cinematic universe.
Say Martha and Jonathan finally convince Clark he just can’t be everywhere at once. He needs help. At this point in his career he’s heard of other heroes with powers out there (even one without). Maybe he approaches five or six of them.
IN CLOSING
Look back at the stories of development hell over Superman. You’ll find a commonality – the studio kept struggling because they kept trying to change the character. To “make him cool”. They didn’t have faith in him as he is.
When they did release films they either tried to build on the memory of a twenty-eight year old franchise or recreate the magic from their recent billion dollar franchise. But all they have to do is be respectful to the Superman character and what he represents. Stay truthful to the source material because that’s what’s brought fans back to him for over seventy years.
You may have seen the Total Film video where celebrities are asked who they prefer, Batman or Superman. It’s a treat to watch. But how about one with a more in depth question? Of all the superheroes, Marvel, DC or any publication, which one would you look up to most?
A huge thanks to everyone for your patience and support. Obviously this has been just one fan’s opinions. Still, it’s been a blast sharing thoughts with you on one of the world’s most iconic figures.
Thanks for reading!