World "Over 21."

[JStorm]

When Lois asked Superman what his age was, why did he say "over 21."?

Why didn't he say 30, or whatever his age was.

I spoke with a friend and he said that maybe the WB didn't want to "date" the franchise. But, I think, that is wrong because Lex clearly states that Krypton blew up in 1948 and the movie took place in present day 1978.

I also thought that maybe Superman didn't want to give Lois any more details to who he may be. As if telling her he's 6'4", black hair, blue eyes, and 225 lbs wasn't enough.

So, I ask again, why didn't he just give his real age?

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[elvislennon2005]

Maybe because that it might look a little odd that Clark and Superman might be the same height, weight, same color of eyes, same color of hair and same age. Could that be it?

 

[JStorm]

Maybe because that it might look a little odd that Clark and Superman might be the same height, weight, same color of eyes, same color of hair and same age. Could that be it?

I stated that.

I. Must. Know. Truth.

 

[SolidSnakeMGS]

More amazing is the fact that Superman told Lois he couldn't see through LEAD!! Hello! And then what happens? Luthor encases the Kryptonite necklace in...what...LEAD!! Lets reveal our weakness but god forbid we reveal our age! I love love love the movie, but that writing contrivance always bothered me.

As far as the age thing, I suppose you answered it well enough about the Clark thing.

 

[JStorm]

More amazing is the fact that Superman told Lois he couldn't see through LEAD!! Hello! And then what happens? Luthor encases the Kryptonite necklace in...what...LEAD!! Lets reveal our weakness but god forbid we reveal our age! I love love love the movie, but that writing contrivance always bothered me.

As far as the age thing, I suppose you answered it well enough about the Clark thing.

I guess so.

However, you make a good point and now I am more confused than before.

Someone, please, help us figure this out!!

 

[C. Lee]

When Lois asked Superman what his age was, why did he say "over 21."?

Why didn't he say 30, or whatever his age was.

I spoke with a friend and he said that maybe the WB didn't want to "date" the franchise. But, I think, that is wrong because Lex clearly states that Krypton blew up in 1948 and the movie took place in present day 1978.

I also thought that maybe Superman didn't want to give Lois any more details to who he may be. As if telling her he's 6'4", black hair, blue eyes, and 225 lbs wasn't enough.

So, I ask again, why didn't he just give his real age?

Opinions
Facts
Rants

Let's hear it!!

There could be very many 6'4" guys with black hair and blue eyes....but you put a specific age with it too...and people can really start narrowing it down.....plus, saying he is "over 21", tells people that he is "of legal age" (old enough to vote, drink, enter into contracts, etc...) so he's telling them not to worry that he is some overgrown teenager trying to prove he's tough. Also.....there is the possibility that as he grows older, his metabolism may actually slow and he may not appear to age like a human...so that camoflages his actual age.

 

[JStorm]

There could be very many 6'4" guys with black hair and blue eyes....but you put a specific age with it too...and people can really start narrowing it down.....plus, saying he is "over 21", tells people that he is "of legal age" (old enough to vote, drink, enter into contracts, etc...) so he's telling them not to worry that he is some overgrown teenager trying to prove he's tough. Also.....there is the possibility that as he grows older, his metabolism may actually slow and he may not appear to age like a human...so that camoflages his actual age.

I still disagree with the "narrowing down" idea.

However, the metabolism arguement is spot on.

Touche', C.Lee.

Anyone else have an opinion?

 

[buggs0268]

Your exact answere is in the movie. Right after he says that line, Lois mutters under her breath "Oh I get it. You don't want anyone to know your....". And then she mumbles the last part of that line while he does that "bingo" motion with his finger. He just doesn't want to disclose too much about himself (in reality he does have a secret life) in his first formal interview, and that he is an adult.

 

[zerohour films]

I agree that it's about disclosing too much information.

In regards to telling Lois that he can't see through lead. I think it shows his naivety. I don't think he realized when he said it that it would be used against him. Keep in mind that he is just becoming a superhero and has yet to face a threat aimed at himself. He so far has just helped people in need.

 

[buggs0268]

And he does not know understand his fathers words after his first night out about "because the only way that people can hurt you is by hurting the people you care about" He doesn't realize that Lex is going to be on his but, or that any kryptonite is even on the planet to use against him, or that kryptonite is a weakness. At the time, he thinks is is invincible on this planet with one minor flaw. She asks him "So you are impervious to pain?" and he says "Well. So far." So he doesn't know. When he opened up the led box and the Kryptonite hit him for the first time he looks shocked, with a "What the hell" look on his face. And, he also has a crush on Lois and so he is making mistakes and trying to still be cool.

In reality, it is just a "writers convenience" of sorts. It is to set up the plot point to let the villian know that there is a weakness to exploit. When making a movie, you have to set up the weakness so that the villian can exploit it, or there is no danger to the hero, and you have a boring movie. You also have to do it in a logical way where the poeple who don't know the backstory of your character who are seeing the movie will understand why Lex was able to hide the Kryptonite in Lead, and whey Supes couldnt see it or be effected by it. STM was all about exposition. Kind of like in Die Hard where in order for Jon Maclane to be barefoot and have to run through a area of glass, you have to establish logically why his is running around barefoot.

And the interview was something he knew he had to do, so he did it with the girl he just saved, and the one he has a crush on.

 

[Kevin Roegele]

More amazing is the fact that Superman told Lois he couldn't see through LEAD!! Hello! And then what happens? Luthor encases the Kryptonite necklace in...what...LEAD!! Lets reveal our weakness but god forbid we reveal our age! I love love love the movie, but that writing contrivance always bothered me.

It's to illustrate how trusting and open Superman is. He doesn't even think anyone would use it against him. And it's also the Achilles Heal concept. Our hero is talking to an amazed damsel, telling her how great he is, and lets slip a seemingly irrelevent piece of info which (almost) leads to his downfall.

 

[Dope Nose]

Some people don't like others to know how old they are. There's a stigma attached to age. I think you're all reading too much into the line.

 

[Kevin Roegele]

Some people don't like others to know how old they are. There's a stigma attached to age. I think you're all reading too much into the line.

There's a stigma attatched OLD age. Superman is clearly a man in his prime.

 

[Lazlo Panaflex]

I've scratched my head many times on that question and you people came up with the same conclusions.