Superman: An analysis of the image of a hero who transcends ordinary people and its cultural significance
1. Background
Superman is a 1978 American superhero film directed by director Richard Donner and starring Christopher Reeves, which is based on the superhero Superman in DC Comics and became an iconic superhero film work.
Released in the 70s of the 20th century, the period was the revival and prosperity of superhero movies, before that, the limitations of filmmaking technology and special effects made it difficult to bring superhero stories to the screen, but with the advancement of technology, superhero movies began to become a new audience attraction.
Released in the United States on December 15, 1978, the Superman film became a box office success that year, telling the story of Superman's journey from his home planet Cripton to Earth and his adventure and mission to save humanity on Earth by basing it on the coming-of-age story of Clark Kent (Superman's true identity).
The film was a huge success after its release, not only performing well at the box office, but also being widely appreciated by audiences and critics, it pioneered a superhero-themed film series and also paved the way for later superhero movies.
The success of "Superman" also promoted the development of superhero movies, laying the foundation for later works, it opened the golden age of superhero movies, and made important contributions to the later DC Comics film adaptation and the rise of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Overall, the historical background and release of "Superman" show its important place in the history of superhero movies, paving the way for later works and having a profound impact on the development of superhero movies.
Second, the heroic image of Superman
Superman is a much-loved superhero character whose looks, abilities, and background have all created a unique and powerful image for him.
In terms of appearance, Superman attracts attention with his figure and appearance, he is depicted as a tall and athletic male, wearing a blue tights, a red and yellow S logo on his chest, he has dark blue eyes and black curly hair, and the overall appearance is very handsome, showing the temperament of a hero.
Superman's ability is also one of the reasons why he is praised and admired, according to the story setting, Superman comes from the parent planet Cripton, his real name is Kal-El, because he comes from a civilized planet with highly advanced technology, Superman has almost unlimited superpowers, he has superhuman powers, can fly, move in teleportation, has superhuman speed and endurance, but also has superhuman perception and thermal vision, in addition, Superman also possesses great self-healing abilities and immunity to most common attacks.
Superman's backstory also adds mystery and charm to him, he was born into a noble family on the planet Cripton, but with the destruction of Cripton, his parents sent him to Earth in the hope that he could live a happy life on this new planet, where he was raised by a farm couple named Clark Kent, who lived an ordinary life in human society, but he always felt different, Because he knows he has superhuman strength and responsibility.
Superman's appearance, abilities, and background together make up his image, making him an attractive and relatable superhero character, and his sense of bravery and justice, as well as his sense of responsibility to protect humanity, make Superman a character with wide influence and symbolism.
3. Storyline analysis
The story of Superman revolves around the growth of Superman Clark Kent, the superhero mission and the fight with villains, and here is an overview of the core story threads and main plots of the film series:
The Destruction of Cripton and Clark's Wanderings: At the beginning of the story, the planet Cripton faces the fate of destruction, Clark's parents send him to Earth in search of survival, Clark is adopted on Earth by the farm couple John and Martha Kent, and grows up as Clark Kent.
Superhuman Discovery and Nurturing: As he grew older, Clark gradually discovered that he possessed superhuman powers, and his adoptive parents taught him how to use these abilities, while also teaching him the values of integrity and protecting the weak.
Clark becomes Superman: As an adult, Clark leaves his hometown of Kentucky farm for the metropolis, where he decides to use his superhuman abilities to become a superhero and protect humanity from the forces of evil, he puts on a blue tights and a red cloak and becomes Superman.
Superman's love story with Lois Lane: In the metropolis, Clark met reporter Lois Lane, and the two gradually established a deep relationship, and the love story between them became an important clue in the film, and also gave Superman a more human and emotional dimension.
Confrontation between Superman and Villains: Superman faces multiple powerful villains, the most famous of which is his sworn enemy Rex Luthor, and Superman must fight fiercely against these villains to defend the city and the safety of its people.
Superman's Sacrifice and Rebirth: In a decisive battle with the villain, Superman unfortunately sacrifices himself, in order to save the city and the people, however, in the following story, Superman is miraculously reborn and continues his superhero mission.
The above is an overview of the core story threads and main plots of the Superman series of films, through which the audience can witness Superman's growth and struggle as a heroic character, as well as his struggle against various challenges and hostile forces, which show Superman's courage, sense of justice and selfless dedication to humanity, presenting the audience with an uplifting and emotionally resonant story.
