SUPERMAN LIVES

This is one of those posts I do not expect most of you to read. Don't get me wrong. It is not that I do not feel it is not interesting enough, it is with both videos ...  just overly long. 

But then ... it is a long story.

I remember, hearing this at the time. It was shortly after the Burton/Keaton Batman films ... talk of a Superman film ... starring of all people ... Nicholas Cage. I really couldn't see it. And as hope for the movie failed, it faded from my memory. 

That is until Kevin Smith came along. 

I found about Mr. Smith in a round about way. I was looking for a name for my first website. I had in my mind one that came from refuting a lecturer at work. If she learned anything from me, I hope it was do not ask for questions if you are not prepared for scrutiny. In it I told her that her view was at best askew. So I came up with the name, "The View Askewed" only to find it used by one Kevin Smith. I became a fan ... more of the man than his works. Don't get me wrong. His works are a little raw. Not something I would of sat down with Mom to watch. It was while watching one of his filmed lectures, that I heard his story of the part in Superman Lives. 

I always found it interesting. And it has been a subject I brought up in conversation on more than one occasion with my friend Walt. Now as Paul Harvey's tag use to "Here is the rest of the story." 

Earlier this month on the premium channel Showtime, was run the documentary, "The Death of Superman Lives." Not only does it have Smith, but Burton, Cage and producer, Jon Peters. The tales remind of the elephant and the blind men ... each with a different perspective. 

Mine is that I think it was a good thing the plug was pulled. That Burton was all wrong as the director. Superman is a theoretical premise of environment and genetics shaping the individual. He may be Kryptonian ... but he's from Kansas for gosh sake! Big Blue is nick named by Batman "Boy Scout." This is not a dark brooding man. This is not a story about a loner ... but a joiner ... an outsider that seeks a place in the community. Kevin Smith if had been given his lead could of come up with a good script ... one that reflected the character's nature.  I think Peters is a revisionist at best, but if truth be known ... a grade A bullshitter. However I have to say that his vision did see life in the last Superman film, "The Man of Steel." There are floating robot assistants. Superman goes at least half the film without his costume and not flying. And the tera-forming machines are likened to giant spiders. Peters' film finally saw fruition.  And of the MoS it is the better part of the film.

And with the continuation of the story with "BatmanVs Superman" it looks ... if rumors are true the final piece of "Superman Lives" comes into play.

Just my opinion.