by Duran Rivera

Superman is not only one of the most popular comic book characters in the world, but one of the most recognizable fictional characters. He's starred in numerous cartoons and movies since the 40's. He's DC comics flagship character. It's been an enigma for DC comics and even Superman fans as to why Superman movies haven't fared as well as other Superheroes in the movies. I may not be a huge fan of Superman but I'm upset with the direction they insist on taking the motion picture franchise and I have my own opinions on what they can do to make it right!

Superman Returns made over 200 million dollars in the Box office. It was successful but a huge disappointment to Warner Brothers and DC comics. First off, let me say this- Brandon Routh was NOT the problem with the movie. The reason why I feel it didnt do as well as expected is that the movie did not offer anything substantially different then what we as viewers have seen before. The appeal of seeing a movie is the expectation of not only having a great experience but also seeing something you have not seen before. When you watch a movie you can safely assume there would be some twists and turns along the way. Other than Superman's son, there were none. Superman does his thing, and he fights the same guy Luthor for the umpteenth time. Been there done that. People who saw the movie previews I would imagine were not enticed enough to spend 12 dollars to see it. If a person can wait for DVD then that's what they would do.There was nothing to spark the imagination. When I saw the movie I saw what I pretty much expected. The foreshadowing in the movie even tipped me off on the son thing-- not a shocker by any means.

The other reason why the movie didn't do so well and why I think the second movie might suffer the same fate is that they keep throwing out the same damn villain-- Lex Luthor! Yes he is a cool villain-- but you can't have a Batman movie be as successful if every film has the Joker as the main villain. It gets stale. You can only go to the same well so often. Not only that-- the Lex Luthor they always show in the superman movies is a tame version of the original character. Luthor is a Tony Stark gone mad. All the technology, all the genius that is Luthor is turned on Superman for stealing his thunder. For stealing the glory that would have been his if Superman never showed up. Imagine all the space age technology, robots, mechanical monsters and Superman having to face them. Not a borderline bumbling baboon. Now rumor has it that General Zod is going to be the villain to the newest reboot? Please! There has to be more super villains in the Superman universe! Why not show and promote the movie behind the possible new villains and the new kinds of crisis' they present to Metropolis?

Another thing I may like Superman, but I'm not totally big on him cause I just think he's too powerful. Not just the fact that he is all powerful, but really most importantly, not relatable. I think that's the biggest thing. Look, Batman is a Gazillionaire, he has all the best gadgets in the world. He gets all the women whenever he wants to. I mean, I don't care how many powers you have. At a certain point a person falls into the perfect life category. Yet still, there's a rich deep character and very relatable aspects to Batman.  He holds a dark trauma that weighs on him, shaping a strict moral code. An unwavering discipline that defines his mission to become the perfect human. With all the things he has, he is solemn and alone. He does not function well with others. His alter ego or false persona like superman is the human. Bruce Wayne is the false persona- Bat-Man is the true Identity. This all goes back to Superman. Clark Kent is the false persona, Superman is the true identity. The problem with many of the Superman stories especially in the movies is that we never see his struggle. Movies are about drama, and conflict. Lets be realistic... He's an Alien.- despite the fact that he grew up and was raised with the Kents, there must have been a point where he had problems relating to human beings. All the things he learned in the Fortress of Solitude- he must have developed different way of seeing and going about things then his surrounding society. Maybe growing up he's found himself alone and Lois Lane is the key to his reconnecting with the world. There has to be something to develop and kick up with Superman. He has no real problems. It's just too shallow. Once you find the problems to the character internally, the villain can offer the appropriate challenge to the character.

These are just a few of the issues with Superman. I'm not saying that I have all the answers, but I think once DC acknowledges these simple points, the film would be much better. Yet they continue to go along with the same pattern over and over again. Christopher Nolan (Producter) and Zack Snyder (Director), who are working on the new reboot both have said that they don't totally understand Superman. Of course not, cause Superman is too shallow for todays audiences. It's not that he's a goody two shoes. Spiderman broke records in the box office over and over again. The movie doesn't have to be dark. There needs to be something deeper to him, a true challenge. Darkseid, Doomsday, Bizzaro, even Mister Mxyzptlk! Lets get this right this time people! Hopefully they get the idea, I want to see Superman succeed!

Duran R