I'm Not Scared to Fly, I'm Not that Naive

I got to go see Superman Returns on Monday night. I found it thoroughly entertaining, and I was riveted right out of my seat.

But then I started to wonder why it is that superheroes are such popular topics for entertainment. There are at least three franchises currently going with superheros being the central theme (Superman, Batman, Spiderman), and it seems that the ones that do just all right are the ones that are too peculiar for the average person (The Incredible Hulk and Hellboy) or just poorly made (Catwoman and Spawn).

But then I began to think about what it is about someone greater and unlike us that draws us in and demands our attention. Is it the spandex? Heaven knows I, much like the nutty professor, wish that I could wear spandex, all spandex.

However, I think what connects with us about superheroes is the fact that in a world where everything has been seen and done before (and most of us are cynical about it), the idea that someone or something is greater than us is an entirely foreign, and therefore engrossing, concept. Further, many of us have lives that are messed up in one way or another, and so the idea of perfection in anything, is an idea that leaves us spellbound.

In my mind, the fact that Superman Returns had such a strong opening weekend is a testament to the fact that we are looking for perfection, even if it comes from a man in blue tights.

We all want to have something to believe in. We all want to take the leap and fly.