A NewsBusters reader alerted me a few minutes ago to London Times film critic Leo Lewis and how he threw in a complaint about the American flag's brief cameo in "Spider-Man 3." The superhero sequel is set for wide release in the United States on May 4, Lewis filed his review from Tokyo.
Lewis liked the film overall (3 out of 5 stars) but was disappointed that the evil alter-ego that inhabits Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) in the film is "still hopelessly mild-mannered." Of course, unlike say "Grindhouse," "Spider-Man" is intended for a wide audience from fathers and sons to teenagers on a Saturday night date.
At any rate, Lewis then puts in his anti-American potshot with his complaint about a scene featuring an American flag. The scene is similar to one in the first movie with Spidey atop a skyscraper crowned with Old Glory:
Also disappointing is the inability of the director, Sam Raimi, to end the romp without a fleeting shot of the American flag. The Stars and Stripes just happens to be fluttering behind Spidey as he makes his triumphal return to honour, probity and good honest fist-fighting.
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Doesn't he know that all supe
April 19, 2007 - 17:01 ET by Mean Gene Dr. LoveDoesn't he know that all superheroes are 100% All-American? What other nations have superheroes in their midst?
"When life gives you lemons, make lemonade, and then toss it in the face of the person who gave you the lemons until they give you the oranges you asked for in the first place!" --Bill McNeal, NewsRadio episode 3.17
Meh
April 19, 2007 - 17:05 ET by Mr. BishopDoes it really matter? Spider-Man was not only an American superhero, he lived in New York City for crying out loud. What flag are they suppose to wave? The Brazilian flag?
Clearly this guy has not gotten over the fact that the US declared independence all those many years ago.
"Stop global warming! Asphyxiate a liberal!" - Show us how far you're willing to go to stop "global warming"
This pompous Brit would have
April 20, 2007 - 08:22 ET by ForeverOnTheRightMr Bishop. This pompous Brit would have been happy had it been the Union Jack, but that would have made no sense in an American movie about an American Superhero. What critic would complain about the Union Jack appearing in a James Bond movie? (rhetorical question) Clearly this Brit resents America for some reason that’s unstated here.
The only Super Hero I think o
April 19, 2007 - 20:29 ET by ZoneDaiatlasThe only Super Hero I think of is "Judge Dredd"...
Atlantis
April 19, 2007 - 20:33 ET by Mr. BishopAqua-Man, Namor the Sub-Mariner... come now now MGDL -- they exist man!
"Stop global warming! Asphyxiate a liberal!" - Show us how far you're willing to go to stop "global warming"
mr bishop
April 19, 2007 - 20:39 ET by misterbillGreat Hera, how old are you? These are the superheroes from my era.
SHAZAM says Solomon, Hercules, Atlas , Zeus , Achilles and Mercury.
Captain Marvel and Billy Batson.
OK OK
April 19, 2007 - 20:42 ET by misterbillOK OK there's no one here been around as long asI.
Secret agent x9
Mandrake the magician
Smilin' Jack
Terry and the Pirates
Buck Rogers
Mutt and Jeff
Prince Valiant yada yada
misterbill, well technically
April 19, 2007 - 20:51 ET by mandrakemisterbill, well technically I have been around longer than you.
BTW, I have found myself in the Rosie O'Donnell fan site? There seems to be a lot of articles about her here. :)
Ah, but is it really you--or
April 19, 2007 - 20:59 ET by misterbillAh, but is it really you--or is it your magic skills you are using to trick me. The old sleight of hand!!!!!
I'll bet you a dollar you can
April 19, 2007 - 21:14 ET by mandrakeI'll bet you a dollar you can't guess which card Rosie is under. Oh wait.. that's not fair to me!!!
Were sorry, maybe you can com
May 4, 2007 - 12:42 ET by USA4freedomWere sorry, maybe you can come up with your own super heroes. How about sphincter man? He can fly any flag you like.
These are the boys of Pointe du Hoc.
Ronald Reagn- 40th Anniversary of D-Day
Now that's not fair...
April 19, 2007 - 20:48 ET by Mr. BishopI'm pushing the 30-ish limit... However... using old names and titles like that, are not really fair. I read the old books, watched the old movies, watched the old TV series... Most of those that you named off... I mean, come on man. My dad knew Zeus personally... when God said, "Let there me light..." my old man wired the switch and threw the lever on the nuclear reactor for him.
"Stop global warming! Asphyxiate a liberal!" - Show us how far you're willing to go to stop "global warming"
Damn---
April 19, 2007 - 20:52 ET by misterbillSo , it was your father who shocked me and singed my hair.
(And they ask me why I am bald!)
PS I had a crush on Wonder Woman.
Indeed
April 19, 2007 - 20:54 ET by Mr. BishopWe always joke with my dad about his age... always have, and always will. He has 7 kids, all over the age of 18, except the youngest, who just turned 10 this year... we have to make fun of him. When he goes to my youngest brother's graduation ceremony (assuming he lives that long), everyone's going to think he's there for his grandchild's graduation... For crying out loud... my brother is only 2-years older then my daughter...
"Stop global warming! Asphyxiate a liberal!" - Show us how far you're willing to go to stop "global warming"
Geez, Bishop.Sounds like your
May 4, 2007 - 18:26 ET by BlondeGeez, Bishop.
Sounds like your dad is the original American hero ...or the ancient mariner (how many times have you called him that?).
Or perhaps the George Washington of Wisconsin? Father of the country, so to speak?
P.S. Anyone who can fire up a nuclear reactor, or fix my wiring, is my total hero.
Nah
May 4, 2007 - 18:50 ET by Mr. BishopI always call him an old sack of bones that needs to stop whining about his knees hurting...
Actually, truth be told -- while he is not overly old -- we always make fun of him for being old, same as he always makes fun of me for having no tolerence for stupid people. Anytime I say to him (and my mother), "Well, I pissed off a liberal today..." I get the constant, "Well, what else is new? What'd you say now? Things like that..."
Frankly, it's really quite odd that he, being so old, has the ability to stare at a computer monitor as long as he does, without falling asleep... then again, I have witnessed him in the past, when I visited, sitting at his desk, with his chin in his chest, snoring. When we wake him up by saying the word "sleep" (interestingly enough, this is the only way to wake him up", he instantly says, "I wasn't sleeping, I was resting my eyes/relaxing/taking a break/checking the inside of my eyelids for light leaks/thinking (take your pick, he has said them all)."
"Stop global warming! Asphyxiate a liberal!" - Show us how far you're willing to go to stop "global warming"
Dude... lighten up..
I think the eyes closed thing
May 4, 2007 - 19:01 ET by BlondeI think the eyes closed thing is something about "older" people.
For instance, my mom watches the tv with her eyes shut and her mouth open (snoring). All the time.
You might want to dial back that "knees" thing....mine are wrecked from water skiing in college. Just give it a couple of years, until you, too, start to complain a bit due to your youthful over-exuberances.
I have to laugh....you'll never outgrow the intolerance of stupidity...trust me on this, I've tried (really hard) for twenty adult years and still can't overcome my natural propensity to pounce on idiots. Which hasn't served me well, but it is extremely and totally satisfying.
Like getting all over this idiot Brit for whining about an American flag in a Spidey movie. How moronic is that?
Puh
May 4, 2007 - 19:17 ET by Mr. BishopI am young, I am invincible!
Truth be told... I am falling apart also. I get made fun of for being deaf, having bad ankles (sprained one about 30 times between soccer, football, and jumping off HUMMVEEs and track vehicles) with no tendon support. It's nothing big, and it's one of those things where my family (being how we are) make fun of each other for every little thing. We're like a pack of wolves... we smell blood, and we attack each other... but mess with one of us, and you get us all on you...
"Stop global warming! Asphyxiate a liberal!" - Show us how far you're willing to go to stop "global warming"
Dude... lighten up..
Night, O, young & invinci
May 4, 2007 - 19:23 ET by BlondeNight, O, young & invincible (and thanks for making me spurt my rum & coke with those words! It made me think of that stupid song).
Hi to Clyde.
Gotta run....have a great weekend.
Will do
May 4, 2007 - 19:24 ET by Mr. BishopI should talk to him later on tonight... will do.
"Stop global warming! Asphyxiate a liberal!" - Show us how far you're willing to go to stop "global warming"
Dude... lighten up..
Here's a thought to work on---
April 19, 2007 - 20:57 ET by misterbillHere's a thought to work on--- there was also a comic strip which had a movie made about 10 years ago with Billy Zane--"The Phantom".
The thought--when I was a boy--there were so many parts of the world not seen by members of western civilization that I had decided I wanted to be an explorer when I grew up. No such luck! By the time I was old enough, I don't believe there were many, if any, unexplored areas.
(Tear rolls down the graybeard's face, consoled only by the thought of Mary Marvel in her form-fitting costume.)
What about this guy....? &
April 19, 2007 - 20:36 ET by MightyMouthWhat about this guy....?
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
MM -do you---
April 19, 2007 - 20:40 ET by misterbillMM -do you---have a lithp????
Here I am to save the day!!!!!!!!
No, but I did attend Sylves
April 19, 2007 - 20:46 ET by MightyMouthNo, but I did attend Sylvesters Schooool of schpeach! Could that be it? I challenge you to click my sig line link and hear "mouth" or "mouse". I think either one?!
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
Schufferin Schuccotash--
April 19, 2007 - 20:49 ET by misterbillSchufferin Schuccotash give my best to Pearl Pureheart!!!!
I tot I taw a putty tat! Th
April 19, 2007 - 20:56 ET by MightyMouthI tot I taw a putty tat! They just don't make cartoons the way they used to! Real shame!
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
I did, I did, I taw a puddy tat!
April 19, 2007 - 21:01 ET by misterbillI did, I did, I taw a puddy tat! and now I go to watch Shark--a new episode. Tata until the Phantom returns!! Kwazy Wabbit!!!
Jealousy
April 19, 2007 - 17:16 ET by gfrrmanEuropean jealousy once again rears its ugly head!!!
"Eventually, Socialists run out of other peoples' money...." MARGARET THATCHER
It's part of the comic-book g
April 19, 2007 - 17:19 ET by mattmIt's part of the comic-book genre. Leaving a flag shot out of a super-hero movie would be like leaving a car chase out of a cop movie... Some film critic, ha!
BTW I'll show him where he can stick the flag if he doesn't like it.
I don't think you can do that
April 19, 2007 - 17:41 ET by FastEdI don't think you can do that according to the flag ediquette manual. IF there are lights trained on the flag, in that dark place, it might be ok. However, if he were to "sit" on a flag pole that was flying "old Glory", that's another thing. Have to ask the Shrubster if there is anything similar concerning the Union Jack.
BTW, what was the last great English movie anyhow? Huh, mr. film critic? The Great Epicurian? The Smiling Beefeater?
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad V
You're right. The best superh
April 19, 2007 - 23:10 ET by Ken ShepherdYou're right. The best superhero-with-American-flag moment in movie history: Superman II.
Superman replaces the flag atop the White House as the movie closes to credits, "Good afternoon, Mr. President. Sorry I've been away so long. I won't let you down again."
Spiderman
April 19, 2007 - 17:32 ET by chinesearithmeticHelen Mirren literally waved the Union Jack after the Oscars, and I thought, "It's come to this." They want you! They want you! They want you as a new recruit!
They took out "American way"
April 19, 2007 - 17:43 ET by muh-oonThey took out "American way" from "truth, justice and the American way" in the last superman movie and that was enough to keep me away from the theatre. It is kind of like what is being done to Christmas. I did not notice when Christmas lights became holiday lights, but by the time they tried "holiday tree" it got ridiculous. Spider-man and Superman are essentially American heroes, but I am afraid they are going to try to change that now. The fact that they killed off Captain America shows that they are trying to go international. They probably would have changed his name to Captain Planet if it hadn't been taken already.
It sounds to me as if the cri
April 19, 2007 - 18:15 ET by balboaIt sounds to me as if the critic is saying showing the flag at that point was kind of a hack move, more a directing criticism than "stupid Americans" criticism.
The fact that they killed off Captain America shows that they are trying to go international.
Um, yeah, I don't think that's why they did it.
Um, yeah, I don't think tha
April 19, 2007 - 21:11 ET by MightyMouthUm, yeah, I don't think that's why they did it.
Ohhh really? Well tell us... oh oracle, why did they do it?
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
To boost sales of Captain Ame
April 19, 2007 - 22:17 ET by balboaTo boost sales of Captain America, to garner attention, to create hype for the character and comic and Marvel Comics, and set up the inevitable "reincarnation" that will happen sooner than later.
Much like DC killing Superm
April 19, 2007 - 22:23 ET by Free StinkerMuch like DC killing Superman in the early 1990's . . .
Exactly. Or any handful of X-
April 19, 2007 - 22:31 ET by balboaExactly. Or any handful of X-Men.
...wow I'm a dork.
. . . just like all the res
April 19, 2007 - 23:15 ET by Free Stinker. . . just like all the rest of us that know about that stuff. ;-)
.
Of course, &%$#@! DC really did kill off Sue Dibny. :-(
"Identity Crisis almost made me cry. Almost." --Free Stinker
Have you been keeping up wi
April 20, 2007 - 09:44 ET by Challenger GrimHave you been keeping up with 52? Ralph joined her not too long ago (in what has to be the BEST storyline from that series).
What I did today.
There was a similar scene i
April 19, 2007 - 23:13 ET by Ken ShepherdThere was a similar scene in Spider-Man and I believe also in Spider-Man II.
There are plenty of skyscrapers and other buildings in Manhattan topped with American flags, so capturing one in a dramatic shot of Spidey traversing the skyline is part of the artistry of the film.
And so what if Raimi is a proud and patriotic American?
BTW, I'd also think this criticism were asinine if he were saying that the Union Jack was gratuitiously used in say a James Bond picture.
Well, ignoring the american
April 20, 2007 - 09:47 ET by Challenger GrimWell, ignoring the american way debate. You really should see the superman movie at least for the scene where he first returns. If there's isn't america splashed all over his first public appearance, I don't know how much more it'll take.
What I did today.
Well you know they tried a Fr
April 19, 2007 - 17:45 ET by Ruths husband BenWell you know they tried a French superhero "Homme de Reddition" (with his trusty sidekick "Truffles the Pig") who could surrender at supersonic speeds and a British superhero "Political Correctness Chap", but test audiences died of boredom.
Yaba daba doo! -Fred Flintstone campaign slogan
HEY LEO .....UP YOURS!!!
April 19, 2007 - 17:51 ET by RackieHEY LEO .....UP YOURS!!!
I have to admit, that was mor
April 19, 2007 - 17:57 ET by Ruths husband BenI have to admit, that was more succinct than my comment.
Yaba daba doo! -Fred Flintstone campaign slogan
The English are putting out a
April 19, 2007 - 18:54 ET by Roger the ShrubberThe English are putting out a new war movie. The trailer can be found here.
Rog, I really like the brit
April 19, 2007 - 21:16 ET by MightyMouthRog, I really like the brits, they seem to have no problems making fun of themselves. I think the world needs more of that.
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
I think he is actually Brit
April 20, 2007 - 10:02 ET by Challenger GrimI think he is actually Britian's most popular superhero.
What I did today.
This article scared me at fir
April 19, 2007 - 18:00 ET by Conservative VoiceThis article scared me at first glance, because I thought Spider Man 3 was going to downplay America like they did in Superman, and I am so looking forward to Spider Man 3 I didn't want to boycott it. Hat tip to the director who made an effort to show old glory in a positive light.
Spiderman epitomizes NYC and
April 19, 2007 - 18:07 ET by vravaSpiderman epitomizes NYC and NYC epitomizes America!
It's a simple point. Like nea
April 19, 2007 - 18:43 ET by Jack BauerIt's a simple point. Like nearly all Europeans, Lewis is just amazingly ignorant about the real America.
(As witnessed by the opinions expressed about an armed citizenry. They seem to think the President could just "ban" guns! Seriously. So the fact that Bush doesn't "ban" guns, reinforces how "evil" he is.)
Europeans think they KNOW America, but they don't. It's really an inferiority complex that most Europeans in their gut feel about America.
It's not enough for them to have long since abandoned any pretense at a pride in country, they cannot stand to be remined of what they have lost, so hate to see that exhibited by the US either. It's suppressed guilt I suppose.
You wonder if anyone bothers to edit anymore
April 19, 2007 - 21:00 ET by BD57While one could say (borrowing from Laura Ingraham) "Shut Up and Review the Movies!", I actually prefer it when these folks give us a peek into who they really are.
Lewis's moral exhibitionism will win him plaudits from all the "right" people in his circles and it's a "freebie" - he knows he'll never pay a price in the U.K. for being anti-American.
Do you suppose "Mr. Courageous" has ever had an unpleasant word to say about Islamofascism?
Nah ....
Reviewers like this tick me o
April 20, 2007 - 11:17 ET by KimberlyReviewers like this tick me off. Does he not notice that normally, Spider-Man dresses in red and blue with white eyepieces? Did he fail to notice the flag motifs in the first two Spider-Man movies? Did he think Sam Raimi was going to completely trash everything about the Spider-Man saga in movie #3?
One of the best Spider-Man comics ever was the one-shot Marvel did after 9/11, with the superheroes arriving at the Twin Towers, too late to save them from falling. The story is told through Spider-Man's observations of the site, and it's just heart-wrenching.
Stoopid liberals.