Why I Love Superman

(This blog is intended originally for MySpace but I'm duplicating it here)

Soaring into theaters this past week, the new incarnation of our bloved hero Superman has begun to make his make his mark both in Hollywood (look out for major gossip!) and our collective cultural consciousness.

Personally, I loved the film. I'm not a die-hard Superman comic book enthusiast like some dedicated people, but I have a very real appreciation for this honest, caring, self-sacrificing superhero.

As for the new man to don the suit, newcomer Brandon "BJ" Routh (rhymes with south), he does a magnificent job. There are comparisons to the late Christopher Reeve, who truly embodied the heroic character in the 70s and 80s, but Brandon Routh gives Superman a new quality of emotion that I found riveting.

I've been accused of just having a girlie crush on the boy, which is justified by his breathtaking beauty, but I must protest! I want to see the movie again and again because it's good and because I love this character. When I saw "Superman II" as a child, I fell in love with Christopher Reeve and thought he was the greatest guy I'd ever seen in all my eight years! And even more telling (but more bizarre and embarassing), I had a sort of crush on Mighty Mouse. The point is, I love the superhero ideal, especially Superman's character. And Brandon Routh's portrayal has given me more to love.

Nothing against young Mr. Routh, but by himsel, as himself, I would not have a crush on him. He's a fine actor and a decent Midwestern guy (according to the press, he's down-to-earth and sweet, a real Clark Kent) and golly is he C U T E! But still, my awe is for the man in tights. I'm not saying if this young talentented actor has a new movie out I won't go, because I am in fact rooting for his success.

By the way, I'm not sure why anyone would WANT fame. Already, the Net has a zillion pieces about him, including that he is gay and was cast as Superman by the film's gay director because of a previous love tryst between them. The truth is, Brandon is very happily dating an actress he met while still an unknown and he was cast as Superman because he is perfect for the part. Right now he's the latest Hollywood hunk on the scene and there are websites boasting of "shirtless" photos or even nude ones (superimposed pictures of his face on someone's body, I'm sure). I didn't see those as I'm a Christian and I don't think he ever posed nude but if he did, I'm not judging as God only knows there's a lot of us who've regretfully posed in the altogether, so what can one say?

But don't dismiss him as a pin-up. He's actually quite truly a Superman!