The visual language of Superman Returns
Yeah, I'm back with another picspam photo essay. About Superman Returns, of course. Today I wanted to concentrate on the interesting images of the superhero in Singer's film. Everyone discusses the messianic allusions of the film, but those are only one part of what Singer draws upon. In this brief essay, I've picked a few heroic moments which I feel are particularly set-up to evoke powerful archetypes.
The Iconic Superman
These photographs are beautiful throwbacks to the comic book images of the 1930s.
Up and Away
This sequence where Superman lifts the shuttle to launch it safely into space provides us with yet another a classic superhero pose.
Perspective and Proportion
Stopping the airplane in its tumultous fall, Superman appears impossibly small compared to the 777 jet. And, yet, it's the jet's nose cone that will crumble, not him. This contrast emphasizes the unreal power of the hero.
Atlas
Like Atlas, Superman bears the world, in this case, the Daily Planet globe, on his shoulders.
Shades of Michelangelo
Sacrilegious? Maybe, but the body language here, where Superman is lifting Richard, Jason and Lois away from the wreck of the Gertrude, strikes me as a conscious recall of the creation of Adam from the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
Sun God?
When Superman restores his power by flying above the cloud layer, you get a poetic visual enveloping the hero in the solar glow.
The Iconic Superman
These photographs are beautiful throwbacks to the comic book images of the 1930s.
Up and Away
This sequence where Superman lifts the shuttle to launch it safely into space provides us with yet another a classic superhero pose.
Perspective and Proportion
Stopping the airplane in its tumultous fall, Superman appears impossibly small compared to the 777 jet. And, yet, it's the jet's nose cone that will crumble, not him. This contrast emphasizes the unreal power of the hero.
Atlas
Like Atlas, Superman bears the world, in this case, the Daily Planet globe, on his shoulders.
Shades of Michelangelo
Sacrilegious? Maybe, but the body language here, where Superman is lifting Richard, Jason and Lois away from the wreck of the Gertrude, strikes me as a conscious recall of the creation of Adam from the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
Sun God?
When Superman restores his power by flying above the cloud layer, you get a poetic visual enveloping the hero in the solar glow.