In honor of today's release of the anticipated movie, "Captain America: Civil War"...
About a month ago, on March 10, Marvel released this trailer for their movie "Captain America: Civil War," and the internet went crazy. Viewers went loco over the last part of the trailer, where an unanticipated Spider-man swooped in, took Captain America's shield, and said "hey everyone." These two words made the internet explode with a bunch of memes, reaction videos, and tweets, oozing with anticipation for the upcoming movie.
This is just one of the few instances where superhero movies had a huge impact on the internet, and the world itself. If you don't believe me, look at all these memes about the Civil War movie released today.
What makes this genre of movies so influential in our culture today? First, we must examine the original messages that these comic books and movies convey, then we may be able to see why our culture eats it up like watermelon on a hot summers day.
Superman first arrived from the planet Krypton in the 1930s during the gathering strorm before World War II. In the cartoons of those early days, he fought Nazis and avenged the attack on Pearl Harbor.
In some ways, Superman can be seen as a Jewish superhero. The two men who created superman were Jews. Same can even say that Superman can be a "metaphor for the Jewish immigrant experience."
"He's a strange visitor from another place. He's a stranger in a strange land. He has to adapt to being [in America.] He has to learn all the ways to be an American, the same way they did. You come to America, it's the land of opportunity, so you can become anything, even a 'super man.'"
Later, Vietnam and Watergate made us more cynical. Straight-up do-gooders became outdated. This may be why the Batman TV show of the 60s didn't take this superhero stuff too seriously. Admitting that you like men in tights during this time became as cool as...you get the picture. For the longest time, there was a feeling of disrespect towards comics. Pretty much, the events of the world affected our mindset, getting us to think that nobody has the potential to be good, and there was no place for superheroes at all, because it seemed so childish.
That changed on September 11, 2001, with the attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. The world was once again divided into good and evil, but was still morally complicated, flawed, and vulnerable. Suddenly, superheroes came back in a big way.
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| Actual images made after 9/11 |
Captain America, who made a re-emergence in the 2000s, took on the 9/11 attacks (with the images above.) To see Captain America at Ground Zero, was a symbol of hope in a time of mourning, who sort of portrayed, "I know we're at a low point right now, but let's hold it all together, and make things better (different from a character like Batman--"Rahhh we'll get those terrorsists. do you know why? Because I'm Batman!!!")
The 2008 economic collapse doubled down on the chaos and uncertainty so that by the time "The Dark Knight Rises" was released in 2012, the story told of a troubled billionaire in a bat costume battling a villain who might as well be from Occupy Wall Street.
These are just a few of the many instances where our culture has influenced the superhero genre, and how the genre has influenced us. Despite the differences in these different examples, however, one element is present in each. Whether in the original Jewish Superman, the man-in-tights Batman in the 60s, or even the latest Captain America film, all the characters in these comics and films have the ability to overcome obstacles, have power over their lives, and also the lives around them, which are all things that we strive to do.
Super hero movies are a lot more important, than we give them credit for.
The heroes in these movies inspire people in all kinds of ways. Captain America inspires people to be morally better, Iron Man inspires people to create, build, and work on their comebacks, and Spider-man proves that you CAN balance school, a job, a hot girlfriend, all while fighting crime in NYC. Superhero moves give us "regular-folk" the inspiration to do great things, especially all the young kids that watch these movies. i mean, I watched Spider-man growing up, and learnig that "with great power, comes great responsibility."
Great post, I definitely agree with your point about how Superheros can be influenced by our culture, and that they are meant to inspire ordinarily people. I also think that Superheros can unite people and promote justice in this world. For example, Batman created a symbol so if he was destroyed, his ideal for justice would still go on. In the movie "The Dark Knight Rises", Batman unites the police force to take back the city and go against Bane. Superhero movies are about more than action and explosions.
ReplyDeleteWow! I really enjoyed your interpretation of Superman. Do you think that this theory could apply to any kind of immigrant and not just Jewish ones?
ReplyDeleteYes, I believe that this theory can apply to any "fish out of water" situation. However, the creators of Superman intentionally made Superman, with the Jewish experience in mind.
DeleteNice job! I never knew Superman was analogous to the Jewish immigrant experience, and I would add that I think Superman's story is the same story of any immigrant. I would like to see this point made more clear in the Superman movies, maybe emphasized more. Superman is a symbol for good, usually in the context of the greatness of Americans, and I think seeing him as an immigrant would help to lessen the xenophobia in the U.S.. Also, on the point that superhero movies have a large effect on young kids, I would like to see more female superheroes in dominant roles, with body types that aren't impossible to achieve.
ReplyDeleteYes, I definitely agree that the makers of these films have an obligation to portray the best message possible, especially with the growing ban base around these movies. They are doing a good job so far. Recently, we have seen many female roles take on a larger part, rather than the "damsel in distress." We actually see female superheroes! However, they are only SUPPORTING actresses, not taking on the main role. This is present in movies like Avengers, Fantastic Four, Guardians of the Galaxy, X-men, and more. But good news! Wonderwoman is scheduled to have her own film, to be released in 2017! Hopefully, this movie doesn't flop like Batman v. Superman, because this movie has a more important role to play.
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DeleteThis post is great! It highlights the influence superheroes have on the public, especially children. Children are incredibly devoted to their superhero shows since it gives them a figure to look up to. Being able to point out this crucial information will allow people to realize how heroic figures can easily shape views and values. What are your views on superheroes? How have they influenced your values?
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