Superman

Composite Score: 87.4

Starring: Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Gene Hackman, Marlon Brando, Ned Beatty, Glenn Ford, Valerie Perine, and Phyllis Thaxter

Director: Richard Donner

Writers: Mario Puzo, David Newman, Leslie Newman, and Robert Benton

Genres: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Superhero

MPAA Rating: PG

Box Office: $300.48 million worldwide

My take on Watching This Film:

                Superman is the film adaptation of the story of the titular comic book DC superhero, following his journey to Earth from Krypton as a baby, his upbringing in the rural U.S. by the Kent family, and his eventual arrival in Metropolis and pursuit of a career as a reporter and superhero. The film is credited by most with kickstarting the modern era of superhero films, seeing both critical and commercial success and launching a franchise of three further films. It stars Christopher Reeve as the titular Superman/Clark Kent with Margot Kidder as his love interest Lois Lane, Gene Hackman as the villain Lex Luthor, Marlon Brando as Jor-El, Ned Beatty as Luthor’s henchman Otis, and Valerie Perine as Luthor’s assistant Eve Teschmacher. Part of the film’s critical acclaim resulted in three Academy Award nominations and a Special Achievement award for Best Visual Effects (before that became its own category at the Oscars).

                It’s easy to see how this film ushered in a new era of superhero films as blockbusters, as the visuals are mostly well-crafted, only occasionally failing to age well into our modern perceptions of what makes a good visual effect. The story is simple enough, following the pattern of Joseph Campbell’s monomyth like Star Wars did the year prior, giving audiences a clear idea of the heroes and villains with stakes that are just ridiculous enough to keep us in the realm of fantasy but characters that remain grounded in reality in ways that keep the audience connected. Excluding an odd turn from Marlon Brando as what is essentially the exposition role, the cast do a fantastic job of committing to the world of the film and the characters that they’re portraying in it. Hackman’s Lex Luthor lacks the typical bald head and personal business acumen typically associated with Superman’s archfoe, but he makes up for these differences with an impressive commitment to being a criminal mastermind who can certainly give the Man of Steel a run for his money. Likewise, Kidder plays Lois Lane almost perfectly, walking the line between lovestruck damsel and capable and confident reporter very well. She makes the audience believe that Lois is someone who could and should end up with Superman, and her rapport with Reeve in the film gives it a much-needed emotional core that inspires the now-iconic climax of the film. Ultimately, though, it is Christopher Reeve who steals and runs the show as the lead. His portrayal of both Clark Kent and Superman is spot-on, and every casting director for a comic book film has been pursuing such excellent casting ever since. The scene in Lois’s apartment when he shifts between the physicality of the Superhero and his alter-ego is particularly excellently portrayed, and really, the whole film works because of how believable Reeve is as the superhero.

                Excellence in technical execution and a strong score by John Williams help sell Superman as a strong superhero film, but it’s the stellar cast headlined by Christopher Reeve in the titular role that elevates it to a greatness that’s worthy of a prominent place in cinematic history. The simplicity of the story and some of the deviation from typical comic book portrayals might throw off some viewers at first, but those willing to live in the world that the filmmakers offer will be pleased with a truly excellent superhero outing. Currently, this film can be streamed on Max if you’d care to watch it for yourself.