Tuesday, July 11, 2006

Super Wonders


In between my frazzled schedule, I was rewarded by my family with an afternoon off from work to watch the movie Superman Returns in 3D IMAX. I was really excited because all of us (Allan, Nicky and I, along with my parents) spent the afternoon together to bond and enjoy a childhood favorite together -- something we rarely get to do nowadays. I must say that I enjoyed the movie quite a lot for several reasons -- 1) I thought the new Superman, Brandon Routh, is HOT, 2) I thought the flow of the movie, although less packed with the action that comes with crime-busting, wasn't at all boring (my dad is my meter in measuring just how dull a movie is. If he didn't sleep through any part of it, then it must be ok), 3) I think the shots and the effects were already made exciting by the film's director, but it really made a difference when we got to watch it in 3-dimension on an 8-storey-high movie screen! I think Nicky enjoyed the movie as well. He is not one to look for a lot of action and fighting and stuff anyway. As long as he sees Superman flying around using his superpowers, he's ok. He was all the more fascinated in fact, when he saw Lois' son use his super strength to save his mom (I had to remind Nicky that it was just a movie, lest he tried to take his shot with our fridge).

On my way home, I went through the scenes of the movie in my mind and tried to see how modern-day writers tried to improve on patching some holes in the story's cinematic details. A few questions that kept coming up as we rode back home in the car were:
1) How could a pair of glasses make all the difference in Clark Kent's disguise? Put on a pair of thick-rims, place a small curled wisp of hair on your forehead ala Betty Boop, and voila! You are magically transformed just as you would have if you underwent a total facial plastic surgery!
2) Just how many pairs of pants, shoes, socks, ties and shirts does Clark Kent have on stock everyday? Whatever happens to all those clothes he leaves behind in an elevator, in a phone booth or wherever else he drops them while he runs off to fly? What if somebody finds them lying around and decides to steal them or throw them away? Will Superman look for them still or does he have a fresh new wardrobe waiting for him when he gets back?
3) Does Superman ever take his supersuit off from beneath his normal clothes? Does he have it laundered? Does he even take a bath? How in the world does he pee? Or does he even need to use the bathroom at all?
4) Seeing that he fathered Lois Lane's child (for all those who haven't seen the movie yet ---ooooooops!), did this mean there was actually a moment were he slipped out off his supersuit (well, unless he had super sperms darting out of him in a speed of light) and hung it up on Lois' hanger in her room or something? Just so it won't get wrinkled in the morning?

Makes you wonder, right?

And while we're on the topic, what about the movie Spiderman?
What happens to all the webs he spews from his wrist when he swings from building to building? Who cleans them up after? Are there street cleaners on standby for when Spidey passes through the city? Or are the webs just left hanging there looking as nasty as an old Halloween movie set?
I bet there are a few more super "wonders" that are still left hanging that people dared not ask about (unless they want to get the usual answer -- "because they're superheroes and this is just a movie, that's why"). Maybe famed comedian Rex Navarette, who did the hit video animated material "Maritess and the Superfriends", could create new material about them. It's about time that somebody took notice of these questions, and possibly shed some light to the mysteries behind them. Eh? :-)

7 comments:

FRIDAY'S CHILD said...

Yes I've heard it's a beautiful film. If only I had the time to see it too.
BTW, It's Barbara's birthday today, come join me in celebrating it with her.

AnneMac said...

Hi, Peach! I also watched it in IMAX last Sunday. Although I found the story sooo slow, Brandon just made is sooo much more bearable to watch. Yes, he is HOT!

My question is: So, did they do it mid-air?

Trinity13 said...

I would love to attempt to answer some of your Superman questions:
1. Unlike the masked Batman, people don't really know that Superman has a secret identity...so they are not looking for someone who looks like Superman to compare. And people aren't trying to find out who is under the mask since Superman doesn't wear one. Since Superman is larger than life and possibly the world's greatest superhero, why would anyone think that he could also be just another normal person walking around?
2. Since you see him strip at or near the Daily Planet (most of the time), he can always go back later for his clothes (since he works there of course). And since he can fly all over the world, I'm sure he knows where he can buy the cheapest suits. :-)
3. As long as he has powers, Clark would have no reason to not wear the suit everyday underneath his clothes. In the Superman series (the New Adventures of Lois and Clark), Clark's mom makes the suit and washes it for him. And I'm sure it's no problem for him to use his super speed to take off the suit to pee or to bathe in some remote waterfall.
4. In Superman II, Superman gave up his powers to "be with" Lois (he didn't wear the suit at that time since he didn't have any of his powers). So it was Clark and Lois who were "together" and not Lois and Superman.

Unknown said...

Very good questions. I'm anxious to see the movie myself.

Hope you are doing well.

Noi Rocker said...

Yeah good questions. I quite wonder about the questions you posted. I dont really get Superman. I really dont get how wearing glasses can hide the real you...

I dont understand the tight suit as well..must be a real pain when he wanna pee;)

Meow (aka Connie) said...

Great post, and I love your questions, which were nicely answered by Trinity13 (obviously a huge Superman fan !!). I haven't seen the movie, and don't know if I will. I used to love Superman as a TV series, but never really got into the movies ... don't really know why !!
Hope your week is going well.
Take care, Meow

Anonymous said...

You are too funny...Actually I always did wonder how many cloths Superman has laying around and if he goes back for them? Great thoughts. Looking foward to see that movie as well.