Superman Returns The American Way?

[Red Mask]

After World War 2, America grew as a world power and so did its patriotism.

Personally, I don't see why they shouldn't include "American way". Everybody knows he's American. It's so obvious and it doesn't really hurt him. The film didn't mention any of today's politics and wars. So no foul there. I read one user at Yahoo lambasting it, complaining about V for Vendetta and lack of support for the Iraq war. He was just shoving his own politics into the character.

 

[DavidTyler]

I know that I'll get flamed for this but I don't understand what the big deal is.

Superman is a citizen of the world now, not just of America.

The American Way? What exactly does that mean now? Most countries think of themselves as good people. Being American doesn't put a lock on being the only just and good people on the planet.

Personally, I don't mind not including it. The jingoistic attitude that prompted that verbiage isn't really applicable anymore.

I'm not saying that there is anything wrong with being proud of our country, I'm just saying that the larger picture needs to be recognized.

 

[Drago]

Well I wasn't around in the 70's, so I couldn't give my 2 cents about how politically correct they were at the time, BUT (and the conservative/republican individuals here are going to kill me for saying this) America isn't looked at by the world as the biggest and best country there is- for the most part it's looked at as one of the most ignorant. And to take a globally known character and have him imply that he's fighting evil to spread American freedom can seem a bit condescending and like I said, a bit ignorant. I'm not trying to tell traditionalists/conservatives that they're wrong, or to preach my own political opinions (believe me, nobody wants to hear that), but just saying that that's probably the way that Singer and company viewed things.

 

[passerby]

There is no more American way because movei has to appeal to all the people around the world. Superman isn't jsut for America, he just happened to land here.

 

[HUMAN]

What good is a hero if he has nothing to fight for? Truth and justice are not necessarily big winners. Each culture has their own variations. What about freedom? What about unalienable rights? What about tolerance? I'm no republican or democrat, I'm a constitutionalist. And if anybody has read any of our sacred documents from our founding fathers, you will realize the scope of the American way. Sure, the American perspective is difficult to defend in this generation, but that's the beauty of it. Through conflict and trial with someones purpose and beliefs you yield much greater character developement and a clear sense of what art is trying to convey. This struggle could have been used greatly in a "returns" story. He comes back, but what is he fighting for? "Truth, justice, all that stuff?" Well, what is 'all that stuff?' Can anybody ask him?

 

[Drago]

After World War 2, America grew as a world power and so did its patriotism.

Personally, I don't see why they shouldn't include "American way". Everybody knows he's American. It's so obvious and it doesn't really hurt him. The film didn't mention any of today's politics and wars. So no foul there. I read one user at Yahoo lambasting it, complaining about V for Vendetta and lack of support for the Iraq war. He was just shoving his own politics into the character.

I'm progressive, but I wasn't too happy with 'V for Vendetta' either. They took politics in that one and made it a bit too far-fetched. It seemed like it would be a good film to make people look at things a little bit differently, but then once I saw it, the political underpinnings weren't done so well and seemed to try and apply to the general movie-goer, not someone actually interested in politics (but then again, that could be a good thing)

 

[HUMAN]

There is no more American way because movei has to appeal to all the people around the world. Superman isn't jsut for America, he just happened to land here.

Go read Superman: Red Son.

 

[thechubbysaint]

I'm progressive, but I wasn't too happy with 'V for Vendetta' either. They took politics in that one and made it a bit too far-fetched. It seemed like it would be a good film to make people look at things a little bit differently, but then once I saw it, the political underpinnings weren't done so well and seemed to try and apply to the general movie-goer, not someone actually interested in politics (but then again, that could be a good thing)

I read somewhere the creator of that comic wasn't too happy with the end result either. I think he said that they tried to Americanize the political themes and he hated that (wasn't about current politics when written). Not too sure, since I didn't see the movie.

 

[Drago]

What good is a hero if he has nothing to fight for? Truth and justice are not necessarily big winners. Each culture has their own variations. What about freedom? What about unalienable rights? What about tolerance? I'm no republican or democrat, I'm a constitutionalist. And if anybody has read any of our sacred documents from our founding fathers, you will realize the scope of the American way. Sure, the American perspective is difficult to defend in this generation, but that's the beauty of it. Through conflict and trial with someones purpose and beliefs you yield much greater character developement and a clear sense of what art is trying to convey. This struggle could have been used greatly in a "returns" story. He comes back, but what is he fighting for? "Truth, justice, all that stuff?" Well, what is 'all that stuff?' Can anybody ask him?

Well in the Richard Donner films 'The American Way' is easily applicable as ideals along the line of truth and justice. Times change though, and I don't think most people would put those same virtuous ideals together with today's "American Way" (definitely not internationally, and probably somewhere around 50/50 here). I think Singer and the writers tried to acknowledge politics in general and simply put it so that it's a little more ambiguous (where you could apply "the American Way" if you really want to, but we get the point either way that Superman has genuine intentions).

Ideals like truth and justice are more than enough to fight for, in my opinion.

 

[HUMAN]

The new Santa Clause:

"Ho ho ho! And all that other stuff!"

 

[Galactical]

Shame on you superman.

 

[iknowkungfu]

Well, I think it was also to get the point across that Perry doesn't really care.......he just wants the scoop.

I think EVERYONE knows the line, it's well known....so there wasn't any need finish it. But, remember....Perry said it. He doesn't give a **** what the line is.

Yep, and yep. I think people are making a mountain out of an anthill or whatever that expression is.

 

[블라스]

Superman does not represent a specific country or land.
He stands for justice everywhere.

Same goes for Captain America...it'd be easy to say "Pfft, so patriotic" but what he's really fighting is injustice.

The actual "American Way" phrase? I'm ok with Singer not including it, but if he had....well, it's still the same thing, because you know Superman fights for everyone.

 

[seattlespidey]

Why didn't they use that line, or even market the movie with that aspiration? America is more more hated in the world today than it has ever been. Go figure.

On a related note, perhaps the understandable lack of patriotism of Americans for their own country played into the lackluster opening numbers.

I mighthave to agree. I found it ridiculous that they took the line out intentionally...

But whatever, I'm not going to fuss much over it. I just think it is a perfect example of our country sellling itself over.

 

[Junfan]

I know that I'll get flamed for this but I don't understand what the big deal is.

Superman is a citizen of the world now, not just of America.

The American Way? What exactly does that mean now? Most countries think of themselves as good people. Being American doesn't put a lock on being the only just and good people on the planet.

Personally, I don't mind not including it. The jingoistic attitude that prompted that verbiage isn't really applicable anymore.

I'm not saying that there is anything wrong with being proud of our country, I'm just saying that the larger picture needs to be recognized.

Agree 100%.

As I said earlier, the whole thing should have just been left out.

 

[WTFwuzThT]

The line is a part of Superman no matter how much you wanna piss on it or try to sweep it under ther rug with this new world order ****. The fact it was intentionally taken out is just one more reason why Singer should've been nowhere near this thing. It's a copout, a sellout, and he should've known better.

 

[ChrisBaleBatman]

Your kidding.

 

[logansoldcigar]

Ha! That's awesome. How would Captain America stand up for American values in this day-and-age?

to go off topic, isn'[t Captain America, after hes thawed, an ideal opportunity to study the nature of patriotism, and whether the true patriot will follow his leadership, whether it does right or wrong , simply because it represents America, or will the true Patriot stand up for what he believes in and be critical of his country when it is necessary (even if it means criticsm of a leader whose basically idealogy is that an individual supports, be it republican or democrat)

on the topic, isnt it ironic, that there are some people that dont see superman as something that they detest: an Illegal immigrant, whom (in the clark kent guise) is taking work from an american.
when you see the immigration debate this days, perhaps he doesnt want to stand for the "american way"

edit: Obviously, I mean the writers figure that he wouldnt want to stand for the american way

 

[Big Lob]

I think for along time there has been a perception that liberal Hollywood has tried to force themselves into a position of being the moral arbiters of what is acceptable in entertainment.

So, decision is made to omit the American Way for marketing reasons and perhaps their own political biases. I remember when I saw this movie with a friend, the one thing he was *****ing about after the movie is how that one line was left out. The American Way. I do think this rubbed some people the wrong way. Didn't help that the line was in trailors, if I'm recalling correctly.

 

[Pittman4Two]

I'd like to know how many in here, especially the "omitting of American Way is no big deal" crowd, are old enough to remember saying the Pledge of Allegiance in school. I'm not talking about having it played over the loudspeaker either.


Those who argue that "Superman isn't American because he just happened to land here" are not seeing the whole picture. Superman was created by Americans, Superman is associated with America (whether the liberals like it or not), so what is the beef with having American Way in that famous or now infamous line of Superman folklore?

The reason being is that this country is so divided (and PC) right now that every single, solitary word must be thoroughly scrutinized to the point of being ridiculous.

Where were all these anti-patriotism factions when Christopher Reeve is flying the American Flag back to the White House in Superman II? This is just one example at how completely and utterly ridiculous this country has become. Patriotism is now a thing of the past....such a shame.

Long live Old Glory.

God Bless America.


And as much as the liberals hate it...

Superman fights "for truth, justice, and The American Way!"

 

[Red Mask]

Superman is American. He was raised in America and he lives amongst Americans. Patrolling the world is not the same as living in every part of it.

 

[Superman79]

Go read Superman: Red Son.

Even in RED SON he came around to the "American Way" of thinking

 

[Superman79]

on the topic, isnt it ironic, that there are some people that dont see superman as something that they detest: an Illegal immigrant, whom (in the clark kent guise) is taking work from an american.
when you see the immigration debate this days, perhaps he doesnt want to stand for the "american way"

He was adopted...thereby making him legal. Ask Angelina's kids about that sort of thing

 

[logansoldcigar]

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhHaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa but did they not lie by sayoing he belonged to some ropey sister of martha's?

 

[Superman79]

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhHaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa but did they not lie by sayoing he belonged to some ropey sister of martha's?

True, but they said the sister died...which would require Jon and Martha take legal guardianship of the child through official adoption papers...and tada...Supes is offcially a legal American citizen