(Editor’s note: this column may contain spoilers about the new Superman movie.)
‘Man, I can’t believe they didn’t even use a real dog!” I complained before getting ready to go watch the new Superman over the weekend.
Paul responded it would be difficult for a real dog to fly, but I still wasn’t a fan. Until I watched the movie.
While talking to an individual in regards to a story earlier in the week, and telling her we were off on an adventure that weekend to see the new Superman, she said, “I love Superman. He’s the only superhero based in hope.”
I admit it gave me a little pause at the time, but I thought back on it as we ventured into Metropolis, Smallville and Fortress of Solitude.
The new Superman is terrific and heavily focuses on the journalism at The Daily Planet and on Clark Kent/Lois Lane’s relationship.
They also made Lois look like a real live journalist steering her more towards pants and sweaters, vs high heels and skirts.
The relationship between Krypto the superdog and Superman was incredibly funny, and in parts touching.
The acting was on point with Nicholas Hoult giving a top notch performance as Lex Luther and Nathan Fillion as the Green Lantern.
As the movie buzzed by on the big screen, I pondered the need for hope.
In almost every superhero movie some kind of hope is found. In Batman, Gotham hopes that the creature of the night will save them yet again against a variety of monsters. In Spiderman, the whole world prays their swinging friend will save the day.
In Superman the very S on his chest stands for hope on his planet.
In the new movie there are definitely parallels to what is going on in our world by way of an invasion done by Boravia into Jarhanpur (both fictional places).
While this column is not meant to be political, there are definitely aspects of the movie that set the audience up to hope everything turns out OK for the country that is seemingly picked on just for its weaknesses.
That in itself embodies the vision of hope, goodness and compassion that we hope to find in each other and in ourselves.
“I’m as human as anyone. I love, I get scared. I wake up every morning and despite not knowing what to do, I put one foot in front of the other and I try to make the best choices I can. I screw up all the time, but that is being human. And that’s my greatest strength,”Superman states in the new film.
Each and every time Paul and I cover something in the paper, we have hope. If it’s something bad, we hope (and a lot of times pray) that the ultimate resolution in some way turns out not to be horrible.
If it’s something good, we hope that the subject’s light and goodness whom we are covering will shine through in our work. Fortunately, Dublin isn’t Metropolis and there is a lot of good shown in this community.
In Superman it’s evident that he believes that humanity can be guided by goodness and if given the chance they will do the right thing or become heroes just like him.
That is hope that I can get behind. — Wyndi Veigel-Gaudette is the Content Editor and can be reached via email at composing@dublincitizen.com.