The Passion of the Superman?
Dallas Morning News: "Call it The Passion of Kal-El? Superman Returns, which opens Tuesday night, is splashed with enough Christian imagery for a cathedral full of stained glass windows.An interesting discussion, as has been noted before by other bloggers. However, the distinctions between the message of Christianity and the limits of the movie in communicating the story of Christ are clear, as was brought out by the writer of this Dallas Morning News article:
The movie's director is Jewish. So were the two teenagers who created the Superman character – based in part on Jewish sacred stories and legends – in 1932. Nonetheless, obvious images from iconic Christian art and stories are as common in this film as product placements are in most summer blockbusters:
Superman, having been sent by his father, saves the world while (almost) sacrificing his own life. The villain, Lex Luthor, stabs him in the side. While he is being brutally beaten, the only sympathetic face belongs to a 'fallen woman.'
Superman Returns has a number of Christian references, but its director is Jewish.
Director Bryan Singer has said he sees Jewish and Christian roots in Superman."
Since the days of Siegel and Shuster, control of the character has passed through the hands of many dozens of writers. Some have emphasized the quasi-religious roots more than others.
The 1978 Superman movie, co-written by Mario Puzo and directed by Richard Donner, resonated with many Christians. In a line resurrected for the new movie, Superman's dad (played by Marlon Brando) says: "They can be a great people, Kal-El, if they wish to be. They only lack the light to show the way. For this reason above all, their capacity for good, I have sent them you ... my only son."
That's almost straight out of the Gospel of John, said Reg Grant, a professor of pastoral ministries at Dallas Theological Seminary. But there's a vital difference from the message of Christianity: The caped, comic book "savior" is not sent to save people from their own evil. "He comes to help us find our potential," Dr. Grant said.
In fact, the new movie, despite its Christ imagery, could hardly be less theological. There's nothing of prayer or heaven. Superman offers salvation only from the perils of this world.
Still, it makes for great conversation starters. Besides, unless it is a movie such as The Passion of the Christ, a movie with particular imagery need not necessarily "get it all right." In fact, because it doesn't can often lead to deeper and more lively discussion.
[Full article here.]
Labels: David C. Price
posted by DAVID C. PRICE at 6/27/2006 09:30:00 AM
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2 Comments:
SPOILER ALERT
The problem is that Singer's Superman is a postmodern savior who has more in common with the Jesus of the Da Vinci code than the Jesus of the Bible. This Superman movie picks up on the events of 1980's Superman II in which Superman and Lois Lane consumated their love (something that never took place in the comic books until they were married). And thus, like the Jesus of Dan Brown lore, Superman has a child.
Regardless I'm looking forward to the movie (I bought my IMAX tickets today for a showing tomorrow). However, the comparisons with Christ make me more uncomfortable than they used to, and this time the connections are more blatant.
I agree with you. I am not comfortable with the comparisons...without the contrast. However, like your comment demonstrates, it prompts what can be some great discussion of who Christ really is and where this character falls far short. Thanks.
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