MOVIE REVIEW: The DaVinci Code & Superman Returns

Updated Saturday, July 1, 2006.

With all the fuss over The DaVinci Code's making more out of paranoid superstition about Christ and Mary Magdalene, one wonders where the outrage is over a line in Superman Returns. In an exchange between Lois Lane and Superman, Lois states unequivocably, "The world doesn't need a Savior; and neither do I." Oh, really? This might come as a shock to devout Christians the world over who believe Jesus is the Savior of the world, as well as each person's personal Savior, without Whom no one may enter Heaven. (See Christ's unequivocable statements that such is the case in John 3:5, 16; 14:6, etc., and John's confirmation of the fact in I John 5:12.)

Superman later replies to Lois' pulitzer prize-winning article "Why the World Doesn't Need Superman" by pointing out that although she wrote "the world doesn't need a savior," he hears the world constantly crying for one. Too bad the world can't seem to find the real one when He even left a book behind as guidance.

Author Frank Allnutt has tried to tie fictional movies and characters to a subliminal need for Christ manifesting itself, in such books as FORCE OF STAR WARS and IN SEARCH OF A SUPERMAN, way back in the late 1970's. While Christ is both God and man, a God-man, thus truly qualifying as a Super-man, others see the "Force" of Star Wars more resembling the "God of forces" in Daniel 11:38.

While The DaVinci Code is rightfully scorned for it's unabashed attempt at slandering Jesus Christ throughout, Superman Returns seems to escape the same criticism. With incidences like Jor-El saying he sent his only son to Earth because they were basically good and just needed some help and guidance to reach their full potential; God, on the other hand, sent His only-begotten Son to Earth because without Him, man stood no chance at all. Then we discover that Superman and Lois have had a child outside of marriage, which places it even more in the realm of The DaVinci Code's assertions that Christ and Mary Magdelene had children. This child, in bad need of a comb and a haircut, ends up saving Superman by apparently imparting some beneficial DNA (a similar incident taking place in the new Dr. Who episode "Dalek," where Rose Tyler inadvertantly passes on some revitalizing DNA through a mere touch) thereby giving Superman some apparent innate human immunity from kryptonite. This prompts some later cryptic murmurings from Superman to his sleeping boy regarding "the father and the son," which seems to be another veiled religious reference.

After the movie appeared in theatres, an article appeared on TownHall.com. (Check it out here.) This article explains how previous films downplayed the Christ-Superman connection while this one plays it to the hilt. This article claims that Superman represents Moses, with a bit of Samson thrown in, not Jesus. While these articles are favorable over all, most have not been, and I'm inclined to agree with the latter(see the review on Box Office Mojo). While the special-effects were amazing (and account for it's $260 million price tag), there's no real story. The head honcho at the Daily Planet asks his reporters to find out whether or not Superman still stands for "Truth , Justice, and all that other stuff," leaving out "the American Way," a curious omission given the film's release on the 4th of July holiday weekend, but what would you expect from Hollywood--patriotism?