Rating:  -
Man, time flies........not just Superman. I say that because I vividly remember when this movie came out in the theater and the excitement it caused. This was the first Superman anyone had ever seen with modern-day special effects, and I on the big screen, so it was pretty cool, to say the least. Now,
It's still very entertaining, and the more I watch this the more I'm amused with the villain (Gene Hackman as "Lex Luthor") and the lines he delivers. He's a funny guy. Christopher Reeve, meanwhile, was always a popular "Man Of Steel" and the special effects are still fun to watch, from the long opening scenes showing the end of the planet Kryton all the way to the ending credits. There's a solid soundtrack to this, too.
Personally, I never cared for Margot Kidder as Lois Lane but then again, Lane's character in the 1950s TV series was a bit annoying, too. I guess it comes with the territory. However, being a kid growing up with that series with all its innocence it was just too weird watching this movie and hearing Lois ask Superman what color her panties were! (The purity of the `50s is lone gone!)
Whatever, this is still great entertainment. As a superhero, Superman has always been THE MAN. Three sequels followed this film, the second one being the best in my opinion.
Rating:  -
I was lucky enough to have seen Superman in the theatres when I was a child back in the 70s, and the sense of wonder it evoked in me then is renewed every time I watch it as an adult. Its epic grandeur, its sense of gravitas, has never been equaled by any other superhero movie (I mean, Marlon Brando, Glenn Ford, Trevor Howard, Gene Hackman, Mario Puzo, all screen legends of the time for a film based on comics? What were they thinking!). Christopher Reeve is the quintessential Superman, incredibly handsome, incredibly wholesome and good-natured, and his heroism on screen is all the more poignant in the light of what happened to him in real life. I still think that the CAN YOU READ MY MIND night-flying sequence is among the most romantic scenes in all cinema. This blu-ray version is beautiful. If you're looking for the sharpness of IRONMAN or BATMAN BEGINS on blu-ray, you will be disappointed. Much of the film is shot in a soft-glow style, and this look has been preserved in the blu-ray transfer. The Krypton sequences seem to take place behind a veil of haze, which might be frustrating for those of us used to the crystal-clear images of hi-def. But the Smallville sequences are beautifully awash in golden sunlight and lush colours and the sharp outlines of prairie houses. They could have made the whole film sharper and clearer in the transfer, but this would have altered the sweeping, romantic, film-like feel of the cinematography. What you get here is better colour saturation. It's a pity that the studio did not offer the latest Dolby True-HD or DTS-HD Master Audio sound format; but the Dolby 5.1 sound here still soars (John William's magnificent score is itself worth the price of admission). Compared to the earlier DVD edition, the channel separation in this blu-ray is more pronounced; towards the end when Jor-El warns Superman against tampering with history, check out how impressively his disembodied voice scans across all 5 speakers. If you never had the chance to catch Superman in the theatres--or if you simply want to relive that experience-- the next best thing is to get this blu-ray and watch it in a darkened room at home on a large projector screen with surround speakers. (5 stars for movie, 4 stars for the blu-ray).
Rating: -
The movie looked nothing like it was old picture. Bluray does make a difference. Love it.
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In today's Hollywood, the superhero movie is a changing breed. Films like "The Dark Knight" and "Hancock" are taking a reality-based approach to our heroes, portraying them as tortured souls who save lives out of anger or emotion, not because it is their sacred duty. Fortunately, the first "Superman" film passes the test of time as a testament to old-school superheroes...men and women that truly can be admired.
Now, don't get me wrong...I consider "Dark Knight" to be perhaps the most complete film I have seen so far in my lifetime. However, after watching "Superman: The Movie" for the ump-teenth time (although this time with my 10-year old sister who was viewing the movie for the first time), I was struck by the purity of the Superman character. Whether he was rescuing a bus full of children, apprehending a petty burglar, matching wits with arch-enemy Lex Luthor, or taking time to swoop down and nab a little girl's kitten stuck up in a tree, Superman always strived to do what was ethically and morally right. I actually got a chill down my spine when Supes proclaims to Lois Lane that he stands for "Truth, Justice, and the American Way".
Besides the symbolism of the Superman character, the film itself is also quite compelling. It really can be broken down into three acts:
Act one focuses on Superman's doomed home planet of Krypton. The interesting visuals and cinematography of those scenes are some of the best the film has to offer.
Act Two features a young Clark Kent as he lands on Earth, is raised by Jonathan and Martha Kent, experiments with his super abilities, and ultimately learns of his Kryptonian heritage via a trip to the Arctic.
The longest, and final, act of the film finally introduces the blue-and-red suited caped hero we all know. Key themes of this act include Superman becoming the hero of Metropolis, his burgeoning love for Lois Lane, and the penultimate battle to stop the latest diabolical scheme of Lex Luthor.
The acting is also superb through-and-through. There will likely never be another Clark/Superman as heroic as Christopher Reeve, while Margot Kidder, Gene Hackman, and Marlon Brando as Lois, Lex, and Jor-El (Superman's biological father), respectively, help to make the movie even more engaging.
Finally, though many Superman fans may debate me on this, I also enjoyed the comedic touches of this film. Though admirable, the "Boy-Scout" aspect of Superman is, at times, a bit overdone, so the injection of small humorous moments is a welcome respite. Plus, children (like my sister!) will find Lex's comically inept henchman Otis (played by Ned Beatty) to be the highlight of the whole experience!
There are not too many films worthy of a permanent place in my DVD library, but "Superman: The Movie" is one that definitely will be around my home for as long as I am. I recommend this exciting, intriguing, inspiring movie to anyone...period.
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great, enjoyable movie. beautiful soundtrack. just wish r. donner had done more with the man of steel just like g. reeves. foiling a bank robbery, bending steel bars, jumping out of a window, fight scenes with the bad guys. the scene when the bullets bounced off superman in the tunnel should have been left in the theatrical version. it's the 30th anniversary of the 1978 movie. i'm sure WB will re-release an expanded edition with all the deleted scenes that were never shown. i have VHS copies of the TV version off from ABC TV from 1980. lots of nice scenes to see. enjoy.****
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