Superman Returns The American Way?

[TerryBollea]

It really bugged me that the line was omitted. Why include it at all? It almost seemed like a very purposeful political statement was being made by presenting it the way it was done. Come on, everyone knows that line, and to hear it said without "...and the American Way?" is just lame. Especially in a movie featuring the triumphant return of an American icon premiering just before the 4th of July!

I think you're reading too much into it. If Singer wanted to make a political statement, he could have been more overt than that.

 

[Mentok]

I love how everyone gets so upset over the 'American way' part not being said.

Somehow its a negative thing against Superman.


First of all, Superman didnt even say it. Perry did showing how jaded the people had become during Supermans absence.

Secondly, in The first Superman film (when he does say it) Lois mocks him for it. I dont see anyone complaining about that.

 

[Tomar-Re]

Truth and Justice just isn't the american way anymore.

 

[HUMAN]

Secondly, in The first Superman film (when he does say it) Lois mocks him for it. I dont see anyone complaining about that.

Which, in turn, showed that The American Way has deeper roots than our political officials.

Read our Bill of Rights, Constitution, or our Declaration of Independence and you get a good sense of what the American way is.

I agree that Superman should operate globally, but he still needs to represent his home. There's a lot of good America has done in the world in the past (not the recent past, mind you).

I just think that if you have the great American icon return home, then he should have something to say about his home.

There was a great opportunity when Superman met Lois on the top of the Daily Planet for her to "mock" him again.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

"So, did you come back to fight for the American way?" - Lois

"Things have become a bit more complicated." - Superman

"Well, you're back. And everyone seems to be happy about that." - Lois

"Not everyone." - Superman

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Subtle, yet gets the point across.

 

[Superfreak]

Which, in turn, showed that The American Way has deeper roots than our political officials.

Read our Bill of Rights, Constitution, or our Declaration of Independence and you get a good sense of what the American way is.

I agree that Superman should operate globally, but he still needs to represent his home. There's a lot of good America has done in the world in the past (not the recent past, mind you).

I just think that if you have the great American icon return home, then he should have something to say about his home.

There was a great opportunity when Superman met Lois on the top of the Daily Planet for her to "mock" him again.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

"So, did you come back to fight for the American way?" - Lois

"Things have become a bit more complicated." - Superman

"Well, you're back. And everyone seems to be happy about that." - Lois

"Not everyone." - Superman

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Subtle, yet gets the point across.

dude, it's called international marketing. It's that simple.

but also, as many have already saide,the american way is now dead.

And what would have worked better than Lois poking fun a Supes for representing the american way, is if supes poked holes in contemporary america for losing 'the way'.

 

[M.E.H.Z.E.B]

I won't debate politics here but the "fascism" comment is just asinine ignorance. But I guess it sounds "cool". America is not Nazi Germany, Mussolini's Italy, Stalin's USSR or Kim Il Jong's North Korea.

Yes. You're right. It's much, much more than that.

 

[HUMAN]

dude, it's called international marketing. It's that simple.

but also, as many have already saide,the american way is now dead.

And what would have worked better than Lois poking fun a Supes for representing the american way, is if supes poked holes in contemporary america for losing 'the way'.

It didn't hurt the international marketing when Superman was being used as propaganda material back during WW2. It didn't hurt international marketing when Superman became good friends with JFK in the comics.

To have him merely stating one line in the movie about his heritage and how he was raised would have sent on a subtle message that the Way isn't lost, it's just become more difficult to stand for it in the world we know now.

That is what the staying power of Superman is, his unyielding change on his stance in the world. When others go astray, he stands firm. We need heroes that won't bend to the will of others, then otherwise, they wouldn't be heroes.

 

[Galactical]

I'm wondering if Captain America's going to have to be Captain Stuff for his movie.

 

[HUMAN]

I'm wondering if Captain America's going to have to be Captain Stuff for his movie.

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

 

[Dr. Fate]

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.

Like Galactical, this is why I fear that another Captain America film may never get made, or at least if it even gets made it won't do very well, because Cap represents Truth, Justice, & the American Way.

 

[Galactical]

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

Hopefully just be being a good honorable individual who tries to help everyone everywhere equally without patriotism de-meaning his efforts in any way. So what if someone believes what they've been brought up to believe, that doesn't automatically make them bad. I don't believe a hero can't love his country and still be a good hero. Their selfless heroic efforts alone put them above some secret political agenda..

Magneto said it best in Singer's x-men. "I first saw her in 1949. America was supposed to be the land of tolerance, the land of peace. But there is no tolernce, no peace. not here or anywhere else."

well if superman and CA is fighting for tolernace and peace, I'm all for that... but maybe that's just me.

 

[EverLovinThing]

I think you're reading too much into it. If Singer wanted to make a political statement, he could have been more overt than that.

Well, it may not be overt, and it may not have come from Singer, but I think this quote from Michael Dougherty sheds some light on the subject:

"We were always hesitant to include the term 'American way' because the meaning of that today is somewhat uncertain," said co-writer Michael Dougherty. "I think when people say 'American way,' they're actually talking about what the 'American way' meant back in the '40s and '50s, which was something more noble and idealistic."

I've seen it spun both ways, that the line was removed for the reason above and also that there was a concerted effort to make Superman more "international." I can probably accept the latter on some level (even that seems like a cop-out to me), but IMHO it would have been better to leave the line out entirely. It would draw a lot less attention (hmmmmm, maybe I'm on to something ).

 

[Kryptonite]

What exactly IS the American way?

Can anyone define it?

 

[EverLovinThing]

I guess that is the point. Ask yourself the question, what does it mean to you? Something good, bad, indifferent?

 

[kame-sennin]

I watched the old Max Fliesher cartoons, they said 'Truth and Justice'........no American way.

I guess American Way was added in during the propaganda era. It makes sense to remove it now. It isnt as relevant considering Supes in an international hero.

That is correct. The American way was added in the 1950's, perhaps in the television series. It was not always a part of the character, and the filmmakers were well within their rights to remove it.

 

[kame-sennin]

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

The whole premise of Captain America is that he comes from "the greatest generation" and has woken up in an America that no longer represents that, so there should be no problem.

 

[EverLovinThing]

That is correct. The American way was added in the 1950's, perhaps in the television series. It was not always a part of the character, and the filmmakers were well within their rights to remove it.

Fair enough, below is an op-ed piece on the topic that backs up kame-sennin. My issue is that by leaving the line partially intact the way they did ("...all that stuff)) it seems to imply that there is something wrong with "the American Way." (maybe there is, maybe not, leave that to the viewer to decide).

Truth, Justice and (Fill in the Blank)
By ERIK LUNDEGAARD
Minneapolis
In the first screen incarnation of Superman, the Max Fleischer cartoons that ran from 1941 to 1943, each episode's preamble informs us not only of the origin and powers of this relatively new creation (Krypton, speeding bullet, etc.), but also the kinds of things he fights for. It's a shorter list than you think. Before World War II, Superman fought "a never-ending battle for truth and justice." Back then, that was enough.
By the time the first live-action Superman hit the screen — Kirk Alyn, in a 1948 serial — the lessons of World War II, particularly in the gas chambers of Europe, were obvious. That's why Pa Kent tells young Clark he must always use his powers "in the interests of truth, tolerance and justice."
It wasn't until Superman came to television in the 1950's that the phrase became codified in the form most of us remember it: "a never-ending battle for truth, justice and the American way."
You wouldn't know this from the many articles that have been written about Bryan Singer's film "Superman Returns," which opened this week. Few of these articles treat the Man of Steel as if he's a process, the malleable product of different writers and eras. Many, in fact, talk about how unchanging he's been over the years. And quite a few quote the line "truth, justice and the American way" as if it's something Superman always stood for — even though you won't hear it in this film.
Where did that specific phrase come from? According to Mark Waid, a former DC Comics editor, it first turned up on the innovative "Adventures of Superman" radio series, which ran, off and on, from 1940 to 1951. It was the radio show, not the comic book, that introduced many facets of the Superman myth: the editor Perry White (rather than George Taylor), Jimmy Olsen (rather than a nameless copy boy) and kryptonite. Superman never flew until he flew on the radio. In the comics, he was still leaping an eighth of a mile.
Since Superman was a work in progress, it makes sense that the preamble was a work in progress, too. Fans first heard "Up in the sky! Look!" rather than the other way around. Those who did look thought they saw not a bird but "a giant bird." At one point the Fleischer cartoons even scrapped the whole "speeding bullet" business in favor of more weather-oriented metaphors: "Faster than a streak of lightning! More powerful than the pounding surf! Mightier than a roaring hurricane!"
Then, in fall 1942, fans of the radio show became the first to hear about Superman's battle for "truth, justice and the American way."
At that time the war in Europe was not going well. Field Marshal Erwin Rommel was sweeping across Africa, and the German Army was driving toward Stalingrad. The Japanese had been turned back at Midway but they were still invading Pacific islands. We were all fighting for the American way. Why shouldn't Superman?
As the war turned in our favor, though, the additional phrase didn't seem as necessary. By 1944 it was gone, and for the remainder of the radio show, Superman devoted himself to the fight for tolerance — as in the 1946 episode, "Unity House," in which Superman battles the Ku Klux Klan.
It took the paranoia and patriotism of the cold war era to bring back "the American way" — this time in the "Adventures of Superman" television series, which ran from 1952 to 1958. Every week, young, impressionable baby boomers were greeted with the phrase as they sat down to watch the Man of Steel combat crooks and communist spies.
After the television show, "truth, justice and the American way" became synonymous with the Superman saga; indeed, every Superman since has had to grapple with the phrase's legacy. The 1966 Saturday morning cartoon, "The New Adventures of Superman," tried a strategy of substitution: children were told Superman's fight was for "truth, justice and freedom."
Others tried omission. In the premiere of the 1993 television series "Lois & Clark," Lois asks Superman why he's here on Earth. His response — "To help" — isn't good enough for her, and she suggests something more dynamic. "I mean if you said, 'I'm here to fight for truth ... or justice.' " He nods: "Well, truth and justice. That sounds good."
The most recent incarnation to use the 1950's phrase was the 1978 Christopher Reeve movie, "Superman." When Lois first interviews the Man of Steel, she asks why he's here, and he responds straight-faced: "I'm here to fight for truth, justice and the American way." It's the first time Superman himself ever uses the phrase — a bold move considering how cynical the country had become after the Vietnam War and Watergate. That cynicism is reflected in Lois's response: "You're going to end up fighting every elected official in this country!"
Some people are now objecting to the fact that "Superman Returns" omits the phrase. Perry White asks his reporters to find out more about the Man of Steel after his five-year absence. "Does he still stand for truth, justice, all that stuff?" he says. Right-wing blogs are already red-faced at the slight.
There's no reason to be upset. Superman is right back where he began: fighting a never-ending battle for truth and justice. That should be enough to occupy any man. Even a Superman.
Erik Lundegaard, an editor at Minnesota Law & Politics, writes about movies for MSNBC.com.

 

[thechubbysaint]

Back where he began? Then why don't they revert all his powers and character names if that is such a good place to be. The writers have already come out and claimed it to be a slight. Not like the Right wingers shouldn't feel slighted.

The most popular form of the phrase has American Way in it, leave it to Hollywood to change something that has been around fro 62 years.

 

[hatebox]

God Bless America.

My mind boggles at how Americans can say or hear this without cracking up.

Unless you were being sarcastic.

 

[Galactical]

Propaganda, eh? Like that "slap a Jap" comic?

Aww that's sad.

I still like american way because it's a part of who superman is as an american upholding his country's basic values that it was founded on though, which I believe were some good values myself. If they had to change it, i'd have liked it replaced with 'the Kryptonian way" That's essentially what superman is, no just kidding. Liberty, Freedom, or peace on earth would be prime for me.

 

[Steelsheen]

Fair enough, below is an op-ed piece on the topic that backs up kame-sennin. My issue is that by leaving the line partially intact the way they did ("...all that stuff)) it seems to imply that there is something wrong with "the American Way." (maybe there is, maybe not, leave that to the viewer to decide).

Truth, Justice and (Fill in the Blank)
By ERIK LUNDEGAARD
Minneapolis
In the first screen incarnation of Superman, the Max Fleischer cartoons that ran from 1941 to 1943, each episode's preamble informs us not only of the origin and powers of this relatively new creation (Krypton, speeding bullet, etc.), but also the kinds of things he fights for. It's a shorter list than you think. Before World War II, Superman fought "a never-ending battle for truth and justice." Back then, that was enough.
By the time the first live-action Superman hit the screen — Kirk Alyn, in a 1948 serial — the lessons of World War II, particularly in the gas chambers of Europe, were obvious. That's why Pa Kent tells young Clark he must always use his powers "in the interests of truth, tolerance and justice."
It wasn't until Superman came to television in the 1950's that the phrase became codified in the form most of us remember it: "a never-ending battle for truth, justice and the American way."
You wouldn't know this from the many articles that have been written about Bryan Singer's film "Superman Returns," which opened this week. Few of these articles treat the Man of Steel as if he's a process, the malleable product of different writers and eras. Many, in fact, talk about how unchanging he's been over the years. And quite a few quote the line "truth, justice and the American way" as if it's something Superman always stood for — even though you won't hear it in this film.
Where did that specific phrase come from? According to Mark Waid, a former DC Comics editor, it first turned up on the innovative "Adventures of Superman" radio series, which ran, off and on, from 1940 to 1951. It was the radio show, not the comic book, that introduced many facets of the Superman myth: the editor Perry White (rather than George Taylor), Jimmy Olsen (rather than a nameless copy boy) and kryptonite. Superman never flew until he flew on the radio. In the comics, he was still leaping an eighth of a mile.
Since Superman was a work in progress, it makes sense that the preamble was a work in progress, too. Fans first heard "Up in the sky! Look!" rather than the other way around. Those who did look thought they saw not a bird but "a giant bird." At one point the Fleischer cartoons even scrapped the whole "speeding bullet" business in favor of more weather-oriented metaphors: "Faster than a streak of lightning! More powerful than the pounding surf! Mightier than a roaring hurricane!"
Then, in fall 1942, fans of the radio show became the first to hear about Superman's battle for "truth, justice and the American way."
At that time the war in Europe was not going well. Field Marshal Erwin Rommel was sweeping across Africa, and the German Army was driving toward Stalingrad. The Japanese had been turned back at Midway but they were still invading Pacific islands. We were all fighting for the American way. Why shouldn't Superman?
As the war turned in our favor, though, the additional phrase didn't seem as necessary. By 1944 it was gone, and for the remainder of the radio show, Superman devoted himself to the fight for tolerance — as in the 1946 episode, "Unity House," in which Superman battles the Ku Klux Klan.
It took the paranoia and patriotism of the cold war era to bring back "the American way" — this time in the "Adventures of Superman" television series, which ran from 1952 to 1958. Every week, young, impressionable baby boomers were greeted with the phrase as they sat down to watch the Man of Steel combat crooks and communist spies.
After the television show, "truth, justice and the American way" became synonymous with the Superman saga; indeed, every Superman since has had to grapple with the phrase's legacy. The 1966 Saturday morning cartoon, "The New Adventures of Superman," tried a strategy of substitution: children were told Superman's fight was for "truth, justice and freedom."
Others tried omission. In the premiere of the 1993 television series "Lois & Clark," Lois asks Superman why he's here on Earth. His response — "To help" — isn't good enough for her, and she suggests something more dynamic. "I mean if you said, 'I'm here to fight for truth ... or justice.' " He nods: "Well, truth and justice. That sounds good."
The most recent incarnation to use the 1950's phrase was the 1978 Christopher Reeve movie, "Superman." When Lois first interviews the Man of Steel, she asks why he's here, and he responds straight-faced: "I'm here to fight for truth, justice and the American way." It's the first time Superman himself ever uses the phrase — a bold move considering how cynical the country had become after the Vietnam War and Watergate. That cynicism is reflected in Lois's response: "You're going to end up fighting every elected official in this country!"
Some people are now objecting to the fact that "Superman Returns" omits the phrase. Perry White asks his reporters to find out more about the Man of Steel after his five-year absence. "Does he still stand for truth, justice, all that stuff?" he says. Right-wing blogs are already red-faced at the slight.
There's no reason to be upset. Superman is right back where he began: fighting a never-ending battle for truth and justice. That should be enough to occupy any man. Even a Superman.
Erik Lundegaard, an editor at Minnesota Law & Politics, writes about movies for MSNBC.com.

well then if that's how it was originally then that makes the most sense why we wound up with what we got in the movie. but they should've just written it in as "Does he stil stand for truth and justice?" instead of adding in "all that stuff" which makes for bad writing anyway.

 

[HUMAN]

Sneak peak of the Superman Returns sequel!

"In the aftermath of New Krypton, Superman has had his powers drained. He no longer flies, yet leaps great distances. Lex Luthor still remains stranded. So where does this leave our great hero? He continues the good fight by standing up for women in abusive relationships with their husbands and promises to bring down Metropolis' main mob bosses."

 

[ChrisBaleBatman]

Excellent points Mentok.

I mean.....are we going to attack SUPERMAN THE MOVIE now, too for that?

 

[flash gordon]

If you have ever watched the superman cartoon(max fleischer)in the intro it says superman stands for truth and justice(no american way)and if you watch the cartoon 1-9.....you can see where singer got some of his ideas for SR.......no harm no foul.....american way was added to the TV series......years later..so ask yourself.
why didn't the 40's cartoons use "american way"?.....arguement over.

 

[thechubbysaint]

Why did the radio show introduce it (and so many other timeless characteristics of Superman mythos) and why did it stick?

Figure that out, and you will realize why people feel slighted and why your argument doesn't hold weight.