Before Sam Rami’s Spider-Man movies and even before the Tim Burton Batman movies there was only one well-known comic book superhero that started the superhero movie genre and it would be none other than the man of steel himself, Superman. Based on the DC comics, Superman would be one of the first movies to prove the idea that a superhero film could score big with audiences everywhere. Although superhero films have come a long way since this movie graced the silver screen, there is still a lot to enjoy in this campy yet entertaining blockbuster phenomenon.
On the Planet Krypton, two parents send their baby boy into space before their planet collapses into nonexistence. The boy grows up three years in the ship and lands on earth where a husband and wife take the boy in as their own. Years pass and the boy named Clark Kent (Christopher Reeve) grows up into a young man and realizes that he’s not like the other people around him since he possesses many unique abilities. After a heartfelt goodbye to his mother, Clark sets off to find answers only to discover that he was meant to protect the world as Superman. Superman resides in the city of Metropolis where he fits crime on a daily basis but as alter ego Clark Kent he falls in love with a co-worker at the daily planet named Loius lane (Margot Kidder) who often finds herself in trouble. However, a greedy criminal named Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman) has plans to eradicate Superman and put many people in danger using deadly tactics
Now the storyline is not like your modern-day comic book movie where it takes itself seriously. This film is undeniably campy and there are a lot of over-the-top goofy moments that may seem corny for today's standard. In some cases, it reminds me of how the Sam Rami Spider-Man movies had a similar feel, but unlike those movies where they balanced it with enough serious moments, this movie goes full-on campy and ridiculous sometimes yet it still works in a strange way. I give the film some credit because a lot of comic books at the time had just the style and tone that this movie possesses so it honestly makes this film even more faithful to its comic book origins. Sure, you may need to look past some of the cliches like a parent figure dying or the damsel in distress, but once you do, you’ll be in for a good old fashion fun time.
Christopher Reeve as Superman is honestly very pitch-perfect in my books as he embodies all the traits I would expect a role model superhero would be like. He’s honest he does the right thing but is also not immune to feeling such feelings for those he cares about. Louis Lane played by Margot Kidder is your basic damsel in distress without having that much of a difference from others of her kind. She gets a slip though because Kidder does a convincing enough job to feel likable even when she is hopelessly in danger. The only character I felt could have been improved a bit is Lex Luthor played by Gene Hackman. Despite his over-the-top and cartoony performance, I didn't find him to be a real threat in his execution despite what he does to Superman. Compared to someone like Jack Nicholson as the Joker from Batman who was both over the top and a true threat to Batman
The Cinemotogrpy has that feeling that you are looking at a comic book that has come to life on the big screen. The way they make superman fly may seem obvious in how they accomplish it but is still so much fun to watch and so awe-inspiring to take in. this movie isn’t without some memorable scenes as well such as Louis Lane flying with Superman or the third act where Superman must stop so many inconveniences created by Lex Luthor from happening. Many of the models and sets of locations like Planet Krypton and the Golden Gate bridge falling apart are very impressive and can rival even the best of CGI effects made today. However, one thing that I felt underwhelming was the visual style of the city of Metropolis as it feels like your typical city that feels like it was shot in New York compared to Gotham in the Batman movies where it felt like a totally different city.
The Music is conducted by famous composer John Willams who has scored many of Steven Spielberg's films and the Star Wars franchise. The main theme when superman is flying or doing hero work is one of the most iconic superhero tracks in film history and it’s thanks to William's brilliant work that makes this score stand out from the others.
I’ll be honest, I never grew up reading that many comic books especially Superman-related ones. The good thing is that you don’t need to know the comics in order to see this movie. Despite its over-the-top campiness and some sillier moments, this movie has a lot of fun with its premise of bringing one of DC’s well-known Superhero’s to life in all the most fun ways possible. The people behind this movie were clearly passionate and that passion really shines through. It may not hold up to the modern standard of superhero movies nowadays, but I’d be lying if I didn't say I didn’t have fun watching one of the first superhero movies ever made because I sure as heck did.
(Final Grade: B)