Superman returns just in time for a summer of family fun and flights of fantasy.
The story of the supposed “last son of Krypton” is retold through flashbacks and sophisticated computerized special effects that make this a must-see film for the season.
There is more to this Superman story than meets the eye that everyone over 3 years old will be able to get into. This episode actually has religious undertones to it that will certainly remind Christians of stories they have known from the Bible for years, even if they are not familiar with Superman.
There is the obvious comparison between Superman and Samson. While Superman is, of course, fictional, it is said that he can bend steel with his bare hands. Samson was able to destroy an entire army with the jawbone of a donkey, thanks to God’s power.
Another comparison that seems to be a bit of a reach has to do with Superman’s name from his home planet Krypton, Kal-el. Bible students recognize where the writers of Superman got this. The name “El” comes from the Hebrew El Shaddai, which means “the Almighty.” So the writers of Superman, at least in the movies, seem to be purposely drawing from biblical imagery to tell their story.
Richard Donner, the director of Superman I with Christopher Reeve in 1978, openly admitted this. Then there was a statement from Jor-el to baby Kal-el before he was sent away from Krypton before it exploded: “From the son comes the father, and the father, the son.” All of this was built into the Superman story by Richard Donner and purposely meant to remind us of the relationship between God the Father and God the Son.
The fact that this film manages to be thought-provoking as well as fun is a credit to its cast and production team.
What do you think? Click here to send a letter to the editor addressing this or another subject.