That was the explicit messaging of the movie. The scene with Superman not understanding why some people might have an issue with him saving lives, to him convincing the other Heroes to throw realpolitik to the side to do the same, to Lex completely not understanding altruism. It wasn’t just wedged in. It’s was the whole point of the movie.
No, it wasn’t the whole point of the movie, it was a thinly veneered plot that mimicked and commented upon real-world events. The central themes of the film were about identity being defined by one’s choices and actions, rather than one’s genetics or parents’ wishes. Films that explicitly critique society are films like Brazil or The Manchurian Candidate, and I have no problem with them because they’re explicit in their purpose at being political commentary. Making a superhero movie that’s purpose is rebooting the DCEU and inserting a political message into it is not explicit at all.
And you can have more then one plot device in a movie. I’m actually tankful that the whole “defined by choices, not by birth” wasn’t the only plot line because I’ve seen that one countless times by now. “Kindness is punk” is a counter cultural idea by now and was refreshing to see.
That was the explicit messaging of the movie. The scene with Superman not understanding why some people might have an issue with him saving lives, to him convincing the other Heroes to throw realpolitik to the side to do the same, to Lex completely not understanding altruism. It wasn’t just wedged in. It’s was the whole point of the movie.
No, it wasn’t the whole point of the movie, it was a thinly veneered plot that mimicked and commented upon real-world events. The central themes of the film were about identity being defined by one’s choices and actions, rather than one’s genetics or parents’ wishes. Films that explicitly critique society are films like Brazil or The Manchurian Candidate, and I have no problem with them because they’re explicit in their purpose at being political commentary. Making a superhero movie that’s purpose is rebooting the DCEU and inserting a political message into it is not explicit at all.
God forbid Superman ever get involved in politics, like Smashing the KKK or warning kids about landmines.
And you can have more then one plot device in a movie. I’m actually tankful that the whole “defined by choices, not by birth” wasn’t the only plot line because I’ve seen that one countless times by now. “Kindness is punk” is a counter cultural idea by now and was refreshing to see.