Superman: Truth, justice, and the approval of the international community

Warm up that Kryptonian-language version of The Star Spangled Banner: Superman is one angry immigrant.

Seems columnist Jeanne Wolf has seized on that moment in the Superman Returns trailer where Daily Planet editor Perry White (Frank Langella) asks, “Does he still stand for truth, justice, all that stuff?”

All that stuff? asks Jeanne. What happened to the American way? An awful lot since 1945, is the answer tendered by screenwriters Dan Harris and Mike Dougherty. Also, says director Bryan Singer, there were international markets to consider. He intends Superman to be a global savior, not a nativist/isolationist. Ah, Supes, you’re in such a funny position: ultimate symbol of jingoism, ultimate symbol of immigrant alienation. It’s a good thing you’re bulletproof.

Wolf moves on to even more important questions: Is Superman gay? Is Superman goy? Is Superman, er, enhanced? Or de-enhanced? Or Messianic? Or Mosaic? Did Singer get fired?

All your questions will be answered tomorrow. Unless, of course, something occludes what’s expected to be a relatively massive opening, in which case Brandon Routh will fly in high-speed revolutions around the earth, thereby turning back time, righting wrongs, and flying people directly into theaters for their own safety.

addCredit(“Superman Returns: David James”)