With this new Superman movie, some people are complaining about the liberties they've taken with the traditional costume. The colours aren't as bright, and he no longer has the red shorts. I'd prefer to think that after his many years on Earth, Superman has finally figured out that humans prefer to wear their underwear on the inside. And if he can eventually get the problem with red shorts and clashing bright blue and red, then there's hope for the rest of us. In particular, there's hope for the New York Rangers, who have made the same fashion faux pas for a similar period of time.
But the big problem with the lack of red underwear is that, well, it's clearer that it's not just his muscles that are bulging. That confuses me: wasn't it a big part of Superman II that he couldn't "love" a woman unless he became human? But it is ironic that the traditional Superman costume actually disguised his masculine features; that would surprise those folks in the 50's who though that superhero comics were promoting homosexuality.
But the change that no one is talking about is the fabric. Back in the Christopher Reeve movies, the suit material seemed to be featureless and smooth. Then in Superman Returns, it acquired a rough texture. Now it's some sort intricate chainmail. The same thing happened in the new Star Trek movies, where the Star Fleet uniforms have some sort of thick weave. Is this the new fashion, or are the movie makers just revelling in the detail afforded by high-definition? Or maybe this is how we see the future now. It used to be that the future was smooth and shiny, but now it's rough and intricate. I blame carbon fibre.
No comments:
Post a Comment