SUPERMAN (Theatrical Release USA 1978)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 2.5|5.0 Starsìì

Superman starts its small flirtation with ‘this may be an interesting movie’ in the opening scenes. When young Clark Kent, a name given to him by his adoptive parents, earth lands, the film’s story begins its first descent into ‘this may not be an interesting movie’. The film sustains, then when Clark Kent (Jeff East) starts to ‘find’ himself, it falls even more and sustains; but, when Clark Kent  (Christopher Reeve) as Superman begins his actual work of saving people, the film is irreparable and goes to Sheol from there. Whoever chose Gene Hackman to play the character, Luthor, made a poor casting choice. Rough and tough Hackman does not mesh well with smooth Christopher Reeve and the reality is: Christopher Reeve shoulda’, coulda’, and woulda’ played romance so much better than he played superhero characters.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia 

Storyline

Superman finds himself and his true purpose on planet Earth.

Additional Thanks

Poor Work for Director Richard Donner. Thank you to Executive Producer Ilya Salkind for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Jor-El (Marlon Brando), Otis (Ned Beatty), Perry White (Jackie Cooper), Pa Kent (Glenn Ford), 1st Elder (Trevor Howard), Lois Lane (Margot Kidder), Non (Jack O’Halloran), Eve Teschmacher (Valerie Perrine), Vond-Ah (Maria Schell), General Zod (Terence Stamp), and Ma Kent (Phyllis Thaxter).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

No. Christopher Reeve provides the glamour, but the script is unbearable. Better films in the superhero genre are Director Christopher Nolan’s Batman series and/or Director James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers