Superman Returns Brandon Routh on "The American Way"

[Justice Bringer]

Why was it omitted in the film? Brandon takes a stance and explains why he thinks it was:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRpGkSI0slM

 

[super-t]

hes right

 

[amazingdm]

no he's not
it's just BS

 

[Super Kal]

what a huge load of crap

 

[Zor-El]

Ever since i first heard "all that stuff" I just assumed that it was part of Perry's characterization. "Does he still stand for truth, justice, and the american way?" sound weird to me. Perry wouldnt say that. Superman says it. Perry doesnt have time to remember it or get it right etc etc, he's got a paper to get out... so I bought into it initially, thinking it was another nod to past supermen, catchphrases, etc.
But then the cast and crew came up with this whole "Superman is for the world" PC BS and it just doesnt fly... no pun intended.
The American Way is an ideal, not a political statement.

 

[Dr. Fate]

He's not very convincing.

 

[Garzo]

The film makes about half of its overall box office revenues from outside the U.S. The "American Way" line may be important for some patriotic Americans, but in foreign countries (and probably in many U.S. cities) that line would have provoked laughter, if not downright boos.
Not many people outside the US buy into the "American ideal" myth.
The line may have worked in McCarthey's America of the 1950s, or when he was battling Nazis in the comics of the 1940s, but it is really out of place in today's world.
I thought the way Perry delivered it was perfect and very realistic. It's also true that Superman is an international icon that does not have to be tied to the U.S. in the way that Captain America is.
If anything, people would be more apt to associate Lex Luthor with the "American Way" than they would Superman.

 

[gimmen64]

Well having Spider-Man in front of the American flag clearly states that other countries don't care since Spider-man 3 has grossed over 375 million world wide so far. I was pissed that Perry didn't say, " and the American way." Superman is the greatest hero ever but its quite clear that Spider-man has global appeal, even with him standing in front of an American flag.

 

[buggs0268]

Well having Spider-Man in front of the American flag clearly states that other countries don't care since Spider-man 3 has grossed over 375 million world wide so far. I was pissed that Perry didn't say, " and the American way." Superman is the greatest hero ever but its quite clear that Spider-man has global appeal, even with him standing in front of an American flag.

Yeah. You tell it like it is. I am so sick of this non American whining. If Superman had been a German made character, and one of the catchphrases associated with that character was "the German way" and it wasn't in the film, I would be just as pissed. It is canon.

And Donner had no fear doing it in his film, and the worlds was just as pissed at the US then for Vietnam and Watergate. This is just a cop out.

 

[GreenKToo]

I agree, it should have been in there.

 

[TheComicbookKid]

Have you guys read the Spidey threads, on different forums, I keep reading that people booed at the flag. Sony wasn't stupid, I seem to remember the international trailers not having the flag in them.

I'm sure next time, they'll probably film different versions to please people.

 

[buggs0268]

Was probably the first showing. I just saw it again and the whole film had a much different reaction with the general audience. No one booed at the flag in either showing though. Probably just the dumb ass nerd hecklers who seemed to fill the theaters on the first days showings, especially the first 11:59 showing. A lot of people on there are going back to see it again with the GA, no hecklers, and liking it now, me included. The hecklers totally ruined it for me the first time. I hated S3 the first time and I love it now.

 

[BMM]

Have you guys read the Spidey threads, on different forums, I keep reading that people booed at the flag. Sony wasn't stupid, I seem to remember the international trailers not having the flag in them.

I'm sure next time, they'll probably film different versions to please people.

Yep, I believe the American Flag was removed from the international trailer of Spider-Man 3. Here’s a picture comparing the two trailers.

http://boards.sonypictures.com/spiderman/showthread.php?p=202323

... and its use in the film did receive some criticism, particularly by Leo Lewis of the London Times.

Also disappointing is the inability of the director, Sam Raimi, to end the romp without a fleeting shot of the American flag. The Stars and Stripes just happens to be fluttering behind Spidey as he makes his triumphal return to honour, probity and good honest fist-fighting.

http://entertainment.timesonline.co...tainment/film/film_reviews/article1674396.ece

Anyway, back to the discussion about the lack of the phrase “the American way” in Superman Returns.

 

[jpharrah]

yea god for bid and american born character...have an american flag behind him while swinging in and american city..for christ sakes people its an american movie..i dont complain when i see a british based movie and there is a british flag flying in the background..... the funny thing is people from other countries say we are the ones that are the problems "americans"....yet they are the ones complaining where as we dont really give a damn either way.....take a long look at who is the problem ..if you simply cant stand the sight of the american flag or the phrase the american way..maybe you guys are the ones with the problem and have certain prejudice views.... the funny thing is we are the ones always criticized for being greedy....but i bet we give more money ...to starving countries than any other country in the world......and raise more money for, the fight against aids, cancer,other illnesses, saving the rain forrest, keeping historic buildings and places kept up all over the world...yet WE are the ones that are greedy unkind and self centered....now when i say we give money food and other services around the world there im directly discussing our government...... the others are causes that the average american helps to stop and gladly gives their money when we could just be greedy.....the only profit we get out of helping is the fact that we feel good that we gave money to help someone in need.....thanks for makin us feel like jack asses....maybe we should put our pocket books away...and stop traveling ...stop feeding these countries money and just seclude ourselves since we are so unliked.......that way you wont have to deal with us ever hows that sound...that includes no more trade we can make our own goods ... we have enough oil to supply ourselves....ya that sounds like a great idea..we will just stop burdening you all with our physical beings in your country....

im obviously being a smart ass but seriously dont get your panties in a bunch if you see something american show proudly its american heritage...i dont yell when i watch world cup cause the other teams fans are showing their flag.....

 

[CLARKY]

I agree with Brandon Routh. I'm in C.Reeve's "truth, justice and liberty".

 

[amazingdm]

The film makes about half of its overall box office revenues from outside the U.S. The "American Way" line may be important for some patriotic Americans, but in foreign countries (and probably in many U.S. cities) that line would have provoked laughter, if not downright boos.
Not many people outside the US buy into the "American ideal" myth.
The line may have worked in McCarthey's America of the 1950s, or when he was battling Nazis in the comics of the 1940s, but it is really out of place in today's world.
I thought the way Perry delivered it was perfect and very realistic. It's also true that Superman is an international icon that does not have to be tied to the U.S. in the way that Captain America is.
If anything, people would be more apt to associate Lex Luthor with the "American Way" than they would Superman.

considering the movie bombed here in the US I doubt it did well in the other countries. It's not like they wouldn't have seen it anyway, they'd already have paid for their ticket before seeing that line.

Would I sell out my country like that? Never in a million years

what was bryan singer's problem with America anyway? he couldn't get married to his "partner"??

 

[jpharrah]

amazingdm it didnt bomb..it wasnt great but it didnt bomb

 

[CLARKY]

I'm horrified by "the Singer is gay" argument each time someone dislike what he did with Superman. What a very clever and respectful comments for those who claims american ideals.

 

[buggs0268]

Yep, I believe the American Flag was removed from the international trailer of Spider-Man 3. Here’s a picture comparing the two trailers.

http://boards.sonypictures.com/spiderman/showthread.php?p=202323

... and its use in the film did receive some criticism, particularly by Leo Lewis of the London Times.



http://entertainment.timesonline.co...tainment/film/film_reviews/article1674396.ece

Anyway, back to the discussion about the lack of the phrase “the American way” in Superman Returns.

Leo needs a life if that bugged him. There are flags on many American skyscrapers and tall buildings. In fact it is very common place. Spiderman is an American born and bred hero. He does not travel much like Superman, and his home base is New York, and American city. It is a reality thing. If he doesn't like it, then don't watch American films. Every stinking movie we have to listen to this whiney crap. Create your own national comic book heroes so that you can make movies with them and put your national flag in the movie.

 

[SCLJ]

Did you know that Spider-Man was created here in Johnstown Pennsylvania? I think Stanley the man that craeted this character still lives here.

 

[buggs0268]

yea god for bid and american born character...have an american flag behind him while swinging in and american city..for christ sakes people its an american movie..i dont complain when i see a british based movie and there is a british flag flying in the background..... the funny thing is people from other countries say we are the ones that are the problems "americans"....yet they are the ones complaining where as we dont really give a damn either way.....take a long look at who is the problem ..if you simply cant stand the sight of the american flag or the phrase the american way..maybe you guys are the ones with the problem and have certain prejudice views.... the funny thing is we are the ones always criticized for being greedy....but i bet we give more money ...to starving countries than any other country in the world......and raise more money for, the fight against aids, cancer,other illnesses, saving the rain forrest, keeping historic buildings and places kept up all over the world...yet WE are the ones that are greedy unkind and self centered....now when i say we give money food and other services around the world there im directly discussing our government...... the others are causes that the average american helps to stop and gladly gives their money when we could just be greedy.....the only profit we get out of helping is the fact that we feel good that we gave money to help someone in need.....thanks for makin us feel like jack asses....maybe we should put our pocket books away...and stop traveling ...stop feeding these countries money and just seclude ourselves since we are so unliked.......that way you wont have to deal with us ever hows that sound...that includes no more trade we can make our own goods ... we have enough oil to supply ourselves....ya that sounds like a great idea..we will just stop burdening you all with our physical beings in your country....

im obviously being a smart ass but seriously dont get your panties in a bunch if you see something american show proudly its american heritage...i dont yell when i watch world cup cause the other teams fans are showing their flag.....

I didn't see any American's making any derogatory comments about the British flag being displayed so prominently on the front of the flying fortresses in Sky Captain and the World of Tommorrow. And if it is funny how we are always ridiculed for native pride by other countries, yet they have no problem coming to us when they need us to fight their battles. Which we have done time and time again. Jpharrah is right. Instead of being so concerned with our perceived prejudices, start looking at the thorns in your countries eyes. If we stopped visiting or buying from other countries, they would fold. Look at what happened to France when we stopped buying their wine in 2003. Just a small portion of us not buying Frances wine severely hurt their economy. You make remarks about us all the while counting on us to buy your goods. So there.

 

[superbaby]

Spidey3 doing incredible because it got an american flag?
SR underperformed because it didn't have the american way line?

wow, those who thought so are just as suck as their president.

 

[ChrisBaleBatman]

I don't understand....are people angry b/c the slogan wasn't used to promote the film? Or b/c of what Perry said in the movie?

 

[afan]

Why was it omitted in the film?

Ah but it wasn't omitted....that's the issue.

The film features the beginning of the phrase, the audience can't help but expect it's completion, it's a no brainer fill in the blank scenario, but instead of completing it with panache, the film refuses to deliver the grand slam, and allows the phrase to weakly conclude in "all that other stuff."

Great Scott either carry thru with courage of conviction, eliminate the phrase altogether, or, if in fact the American Way as become so distasteful, alter it to culminate with "liberty, freedom, or any other applicably lofty and desirous ideal, but carry it thru to a flourishing end.

It seems to me another manifestation of the misunderstanding the film's creators have for Superman. He is about clear decisive ideals and not about "all that other stuff??"

 

[TheComicbookKid]

See, I don't remember anyone complaining about it even though it was in all the trailers. Because Perry White was the one that said it. If Superman had said then yeah I'd be like WTF.

It wasn't until the media (i.e conservatives imo) that this even started. The original line wasn't the American way in the first place. That's not defending the nonusage, just an observation

If that had replaced it, then it still would have angered people. Like changing Uncle Ben's line even though he never actually said it to Spidey in the original comics.