March 22, 2006

Summer's Coming Attractions

by Doug

If you go out to see V for Vendetta, make sure you're there early, because some (I'd imagine it's really most, but my evidence is anecdotal, so I can't say for sure) theaters are pairing it with previews of X-Men: The Last Stand and Superman Returns. I haven't been following the making of Superman Returns so I don't know if this has been an issue all along, but the preview was awfully heavy on the Christ imagery. Does this mean Jor-El is God? (Well, it does feature Marlon Brando speaking from beyond the grave.)

Posted by Doug at March 22, 2006 12:17 PM | TrackBack

Comments
#1 ::: ravensron ::: March 22, 2006 2:07 PM ::: link

Saw "V for Vendetta" on Sun. Despite being a fan of Alan Moore, I'd never read the comic nor had my wife. We both enjoyed the movie (hey, the plot holes were waaaay narrower than "League of Barely-Recognizable-From-The-Original-Stories-Gentlemen"). Yes, there were previews of the next X-Men & Superman movies. And, yes, you're right it does seem like there's now a backstory wherein Marlon Brando (who at one time in the industry was, after all, considered the next best thing to god) has planned the whole idea of sending his son as a savior to us puny earthlings.

#2 ::: Ralf Haring ::: March 22, 2006 3:12 PM ::: link

I've seen the Superman promo before, but thought it was still an excellent trailer - strong on atmosphere and sparse on details. The Brando voice-over isn't new, is it? I thought I remembered that from Superman I...

I haven't seen the X-Men trailer.

#3 ::: Chris Durnell ::: March 22, 2006 5:52 PM ::: link

I'm 90% certain the Brando voiceover was from the original Superman (and 100% it was made during the filming, less certain of its inclusion).

I don't think the idea that Jor-El sent Superman to Earth is new. The Kryptonians were a race of highly advanced super-man, meaning "humans" who achieved in fact all the things we hope humanity can become. Not really surprising that in finding a place to send Kal, he picked a place where Kal could one day help to lead the natives to the state of the Kryptonians.

#4 ::: Alex Knapp ::: March 22, 2006 9:56 PM ::: link

The Brando monologue is taken directly from the original Superman movie.

#5 ::: Doug ::: March 22, 2006 11:04 PM ::: link

That's absolutely right. I haven't seen the first movie in quite some time, but that's where it comes from. In the larger context of the monologue it's pulled out of, the messiah comparison isn't quote as strong, but it's certainly there.