If you've only seen the original Superman movies, it may seem like a stretch for me to be comparing Superman to Christ. But in Superman Returns, the symbolism is pretty obvious. When it starts, Superman and Clark Kent have both been missing for 5 years (seriously, how did Lois never figure it out?). Turns out, he's been hovering above the Earth hibernating or something. Lois writes an article about why the world doesn't need Superman, even using the word "savior." But then Superman decides to pay her a visit. He says to her that he hears people crying for a savior.
Superman's been in contact with his father, Jal-El says he's sent his son down to show them the way. Sound a bit familiar?
At one point, Lex Luthor badly beats of Superman, sticking a piece of Kryptonite into his back. When Lois pulls it out, Superman rises above the clouds to absorb some sun rays and heal himself. There's your ascension.
Lex has made some big evil plan that I don't really remember, and Superman managed to destroy it by throwing it out into space. But it exhausted him so much that he collapses and slowly falls back to earth, in a very crucification-like pose. He gets rushed to the hospital, but dies. Then of course, a couple days later, he comes back to life.
Sounds a lot like a Christ figure to me.
I wrote about Superman being a jesus figure too! (so obviously i agree with what you're saying) I didn't think about the stabbing/ascension, but thats a really good example too. Even without all the symbolic stuff, just the mere fact of Superman sacrificing himself to try to help the people of the world sound like enough of a reason to be considered a jesus figure to me.
ReplyDeleteI thought that rising from under the clouds to absorb light is a very interesting way to represent ascension.
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