Insightful analysis of the themes in the film. "In what way is this a more dangerous precedent than the one that already exists?" and the subsequent question hit hard. Never thought of it that way but couldn't agree more. Also "nihilism that so often masquerades as subversion" is exactly how I felt about Man of Steel which is why the new Superman movie was a much-needed breath of fresh air
Yeah, Man of Steel is deconstruction for the sake of deconstruction for sure. It works as a vocabulary-accurate manifestation of comic books as "mythology," but only to a point. Very much with you on the breath of fresh air, too; not just for Superman, but for superhero films in general.
I think, on several levels, I'm intrigued by the moral viewpoint of Superman, and said evolution of that viewpoint throughout the film, contrasted by how James Gunn manages to emphasize that Superman may be in the minority in his views. It's a storytelling decision, a moral decision, and even kind of a tricky marketing decision, all in one.
It especially stands out considering Superman's fairly-straightforward relationship to his legacy in Man Of Steel, which he largely learns about, and then thoroughly rejects. In that movie, he destroys Zod's codex, and Zod says something about Krypton and Superman yells, "Krypton had its chance!" Coldest thing I've EVER heard a superhero say, nevermind SUPERMAN.
Does Gunn emphasize that? The more I think about it, the more the public revelation about Superman's parents resembles the blanket prejudice fallout whenever a member of a minority group (say, an immigrant or a trans person) does or expresses something objectively reprehensible.
Meanwhile, the social prominence of the House of El (which we can reasonably infer has been maintained in this canon) adds another interesting element. Who's to say they aren't detached from Kryptonians in the way that, say, the House of Trump is disconnected from human beings?
Insightful analysis of the themes in the film. "In what way is this a more dangerous precedent than the one that already exists?" and the subsequent question hit hard. Never thought of it that way but couldn't agree more. Also "nihilism that so often masquerades as subversion" is exactly how I felt about Man of Steel which is why the new Superman movie was a much-needed breath of fresh air
Yeah, Man of Steel is deconstruction for the sake of deconstruction for sure. It works as a vocabulary-accurate manifestation of comic books as "mythology," but only to a point. Very much with you on the breath of fresh air, too; not just for Superman, but for superhero films in general.
Hm, good points. This at least stands up Superman's heart as more than matter of course.
I think, on several levels, I'm intrigued by the moral viewpoint of Superman, and said evolution of that viewpoint throughout the film, contrasted by how James Gunn manages to emphasize that Superman may be in the minority in his views. It's a storytelling decision, a moral decision, and even kind of a tricky marketing decision, all in one.
It especially stands out considering Superman's fairly-straightforward relationship to his legacy in Man Of Steel, which he largely learns about, and then thoroughly rejects. In that movie, he destroys Zod's codex, and Zod says something about Krypton and Superman yells, "Krypton had its chance!" Coldest thing I've EVER heard a superhero say, nevermind SUPERMAN.
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Does Gunn emphasize that? The more I think about it, the more the public revelation about Superman's parents resembles the blanket prejudice fallout whenever a member of a minority group (say, an immigrant or a trans person) does or expresses something objectively reprehensible.
Meanwhile, the social prominence of the House of El (which we can reasonably infer has been maintained in this canon) adds another interesting element. Who's to say they aren't detached from Kryptonians in the way that, say, the House of Trump is disconnected from human beings?
i really enjoyed this analysis! your insight is so well-communicated. thank you for sharing!
An excellent reading