I enjoyed this post. I particularly like "Superman is a modern myth" and "Art reveals".
Yes, the fear is correct. Any future with resurgent masculinity is one in which the women are just captured / acquired / attracted, often quite willingly, and the average man today, with no spirit / thumos / strength / network, gets - nothing. Actually nothing.
The fact that this harem fear was expressed indicates that we (correctly) see ourselves as weak.
When watching the film:
- I noted that the only way Superman makes sense as a character is if he has rural American Christian parents, and that this film accepted that. A small change in the zeitgeist regarding Christianity ?
- I highly enjoyed the new message from his birth parents. It's a striking twist on Krypton's culture that I don't think has been done before.
- I appreciated Lex Luthor's recognition and acceptance of his envy, and his use of it as a source of strength.