The blog called What Would Tyler Durden Do? has picked—up some offhand comments made by the writers of the latest Superman movie, opening today. 

Mike Dougherty and Dan Harris, the two credited screenwriters for 'Superman Returns' have changed Superman's famous motto, "Truth, Justice and the American way", to "Truth Justice and ... all that stuff". Seriously. No, really.

Dan: "I don't think 'the American way' means what it meant in 1945." Mike: "He's not just for Metropolis and not just for America." Dan: "He's an alien, from Krypton; he has come to Earth to be kind of a savior for this world, not our country . . . And he has no papers." Mike: "What would happen with the immigration laws we have now?" Dan: "I'd like to see someone kick him out!"

Yes, yes, good for you two jackasses. Aren't you just so clever. I bet Stalin and Kim Jung—il couldn't be prouder.

Sigh. Well, at least the theory that the new Superman is gay has not really caught fire.

Hat tip: Michael G.

Thomas Lifson   6 28 06

Update: Debbie Schlussel has some sharp criticisms of the film. Starting with the title So, Lois Lane is a Single Mom . . . & a Slut: Notes on "Superman Returns":

In World War II, Superman's comic book inventors had him fighting the Nazis. Today, they won't dare show him fighting contemporary Nazis——Islamofascists. Lex Luthor working with Al—Qaeda terrorists, with both evil forces getting defeated——that would have been dynamic and exciting, a great plot. But, unfortunately, too politically incorrect, current, and exciting for the Hollywood culturatti. [....]

...we got a dumbed down, girlie—man version of Superman in "Superman Returns." Like every sensitive, slacker metrosexual, Supe's gone off for five years to "discover himself." In the meantime, the dullest Lois Lane ever has a child out of wedlock. Nice message to send to your kids who will be begging to see this. No smoking lectures by Superman and plugs for tofu sandwiches got a lot of play though. Script—writers were more concerned with that kind of health than the splendid problems single motherhood brings.

In what is more reminiscent of a Maury Povich "Who's the Daddy?" show than a Superman plot, Lois apparently slept around and thinks the cutesy kid——very annoying and distracting in the film——is her fiance's child, not that of the other guy she was simultaneously sleeping with——the Man of Steel.

Hard to still call him that, because in this film he's far less muscular. Even the formerly bright red of his cape is now a muted, dingy brownish—burgundy. All masculinity is toned down, in favor of the testosterone of career woman Lois, who doesn't believe in marriage. Too busy riding the space shuttle.

Richard Baehr   6 28 06