I re-watched Man of Steel with my boys today, completing our exploration of Superman on film. Since April, we have watched all six modern movies that focus on the Big Blue Boy Scout. Below are links to each film, in release order, with my grade of each following.
Superman II (C+)
Superman III (D+)
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (C-)
Superman Returns (B+)
Man of Steel (A-)
Like most superhero stories, Superman tales often explore the concept of a uniquely powerful person and the questions that arise from that, including:
- what is their responsibility? Does their ability give them a mandate? If so, what?
- under whose authority are they?
- how/why are they special? What makes them so?
- what are their weaknesses?
- what are their limitations?
- what are their joys? What are they 'allowed' to enjoy given their 'otherness'?
- are they human in any degree? How so (or not)?
- who are their enemies? Are they also uniquely powerful?
- should we regular humans see ourselves in these stories? Can we imitate those with great powers, or admire them only? How can we be 'superheroes' in our lives?
- who pays for all the property damage?*
Implicit in some of these questions are higher-level ones:
- what is wrong with the world?
- why can't we fix it?
- who can?
- why do we hope for someone outside ourselves? What does that tell us about our belief in humanity?
All worthy questions for reflection. Most stories have them in some way.
As I think briefly on these films, I believe our conceptions of Superman are a statement of what we kind of a savior we want. In this, we see a window into our souls. So here are just a few thoughts on the theology of Superman films, looking back at the above movies for frequent themes:
- we acknowledge the world is not the way it should be. There is death, injustice, tragedy, and other terrible things.
- we acknowledge humans need someone to fix it—someone who can do things we cannot.
- we want that person to be strong and beautiful, physically and spiritually.
- we want that person to inspire us to do what we can to right the wrongs in the world.
- we want to be able to control that person. We look for ways to contain or weaken them.
- we don't want him to be able to control us. We want salvation only, with no expectation of response on our part other than gratitude.
In a sense, these films show us the reality that we both require and reject a savior. We know we need one, but on our terms.
If you know the Jesus of the Bible, think on him and how he differs from (or is similar to) the above.
- Isaiah 53 is a good place to start. Jesus had no beauty that we should desire him (v2), he was despised and rejected by men (v3), yet he bore our griefs (v4) and transgressions (v5) and took the our iniquity upon Himself even as we strayed (v6). He saved us from what really matters—our sin—but doesn't wear a cape or have amazing abs.
- Jesus' salvation is not without cost to us. He demands that we follow him, obey him, and to lay down our lives as a living sacrifice for him (salvation frees us from the slavery of sin and makes us slaves of God).
- Jesus is making all things new and commands that we participate by using our gifts (given by him). Yet he knows our weakness; we can do nothing without him, and so our lives are an ongoing dependence for the strength to do what is right and live transformed lives, seeking to glorify God and be a blessing to each other as we are called to do.
So much more could be said here . . . but for the sake of time, I think this introduction highlights the main differences between our conception of a Savior presented in Superman movies and the one presented in the Bible. The films have echoes of powerful messages, but miss the mark in other ways. So, as with all content, we 1) enjoy what reflects the good and true even as we 2) reject the false parts of a message.
*a joke. But honestly . . . most Superman films have a good deal of destruction. Like, a lot.
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