Unlike, for example, Greek mythology, where the gods resided in one place – Olympus – with Zeus as the supreme ruler, contemporary American culture has managed to establish two pantheons. One has emerged from Marvel, and the other from DC Comics.
These two houses, which initially gained their wealth solely from comic book heroes, have continued their battle on the silver screen. While Marvel inundates us with Spider-Mans and X-Men as their most important representatives, DC Comics seeks its champions in Batman and Superman. Their fame is renewed every few years. The comparison with the gods of past civilizations is by no means accidental, as it employs the same pattern, one in which gods possess powers, and humans are here to be protected and to believe. Faith is, today, a very fragile concept, but the number of tickets sold confirms that American gods are highly valued and beloved among the people. As in the case of the latest release ‘Man of Steel’, American gods are much more inclined towards action and spectacle than their ancestors, who preferred to take various forms to consort with earthly daughters, thus provoking a web of intrigues for their believers. Today, there is no room for tragedies and behind-the-scenes games, which is why only the strongest survive – this time it is Superman.
Director: Zack Snyder
Cast: Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Michael Shannon, Diane Lane
Man of Steel
