Much like with The Vanishing, I’ll post the review I wrote on IMDB many years ago for Superman: The Movie. Stay tuned for some additional comments at the end though!
So wonderful and majestic-an all-time classic!
17 February 2003
There are a number of films that make me think “nothing represents movie magic better than this” because they are incredibly grand and beautiful. That small list includes The Wizard of Oz, Casablanca, Singin’ in the Rain, Star Wars, Superman: The Movie, and E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial. There is no question that Superman is the least lauded out of all of those; however, it is a movie that never fails to leave me in awe.
Director Richard Donner and writer Tom Mankiewicz were simply overflowing with passion for Superman, and treating him as an American myth resulted in this amazing labor of love. The opening shots of the comic book opening with the child’s voice over were such an inspired touch, and then we see the the awesome opening credits as John Williams’s score sets the perfect mood of grandeur and wonder befitting the greatest of all superheroes. The segment on Krypton may look fake by today’s standards but considering the resources they had at the time it was an outstanding achievement and just as easy to appreciate now. Much has been made of the symbolism of Jor-El as God sending his only son to Earth, and I feel that lends the film an extra level of majesty.
The segment in Smallville was just as compelling in its own way (according to Mankiewicz, they were very deliberately trying to make this movie like 3 different films). The film was differing from the comic book substantially, doing away with the whole concept of Superboy and showing Clark Kent as an confused awkward adolescent not knowing who he is or where he came from, or having completely grasped what his powers are or why he was put on Earth. I actually wanted to see more of this part because it’s so fascinating, but the idea is being explored beautifully right now in Smallville. The part where the tragedy occurs and Clark realizes he must leave is so poignant it made me want to cry. Then in the fortress of solitude, we are back to the grandeur of the Krypton segment, and the film continued to leave me in awe at how many levels it worked on.
In Metropolis things get much lighter and faster, but no less exciting. The early segments watching Superman save people are great, and the romance with Lois Lane is really nice (although the not-very-charming and too-old Margot Kidder is the movie’s only flaw in my book). That especially goes for the flying part, with its very touching voice over expressing Lois’s love for Superman. Gene Hackman is perfect as the hilariously evil Lex Luthor, and the whole final segment with Superman foiling his plot is consistently thrilling. The ending of the movie has drawn a lot of criticism, but I personally found it very moving watching Superman think so strongly with his heart. And who’s to say you can’t do what he did-is there anyone who can fly and has his strength that can prove that? The montage of voices from earlier in the film made it a very powerful moment.
Whatever virtues the film may have, by far its greatest is Christopher Reeve. He nails the role so perfectly it amazes me that they were able to find such a person. Superman is a perfect boy scout, and the role could have been incredibly corny, but Reeve, by coming across as both so innocent and so charming, makes it virtually impossible NOT to be won over by him. And he also is perfect in the equally challenging role of Clark Kent. As portrayed by Reeve Clark was not just the bland alter ego of the exciting Superman, but rather someone who was hilarious and immensely likeable and charismatic despite being the biggest nerd you will ever find. For his incredible effort, Reeve can take the satisfaction of knowing that he helped make a film that remains a major classic a 25 years after its release. I was born in 1981, and so never got to see this in theaters, but I hope Warner Bros. will release that director’s cut on the big screen where it belongs.
Now some additional thoughts:
- I did eventually get to see it on the big screen, albeit not because it got a rerelease. Fathom Events, one of my favorite companies for all the classics it shows in theaters, did so for this film’s 40th anniversary last year.
- For years I was easily calling this my favorite comic book movie ever. Even though it was basically the first one of all-time (there were plenty of serials preceding feature films back in the days before television but if there was a comic book feature made prior to Superman: The Movie I’ve never heard of it) 40 years later only TWO better comic book movies have been made (Captain America: Civil War and The Dark Knight).
- This movie got made because of Alexander and Ilya Salkind’s vision, as they independently financed the most expensive movie of the 70’s ($55 million). For that much they should be commended.
- That said, they reportedly got some money from unsavory sources. What is known is that they egregiously fired Richard Donner after he’d completed 80% of Superman II, replacing him with Richard Lester. Many call Superman II their favorite, but those aren’t serious comic book fans. Lester turned that film into slapstick and it lacked the sense of mythos that Donner had used to make Superman: The Movie the timeless classic it is.
- It was one of the best decisions ever on a studio’s part in the mid-2000s, giving fans what they had wanted for decades and using the deleted footage to make a DONNER cut of Superman II. I actually got to attend the Comic-Con panel where this was hyped and get a picture with Mr. Donner!
- I appall myself with some of the great DVDs I’ve bought and never watched. I suppose that’s what happens when you amass hundreds. That includes the Donner cut of Superman II but my best friend and I plan to have a movie night soon with it.
- That edit was part of a box set tying in to Superman Returns. The movie was considered a disappointment because many felt it was simply a love letter to Donner’s film and didn’t bring anything new to the table. I understand the sentiment, but I think it was beautiful and I was upset Bryan Singer didn’t get to continue his vision with a fresh Superman story. Especially because the total reboot we’ve gotten this decade with Man of Steel and Batman v. Superman…Oh God I feel nauseous.
- Gene Hackman has retired since I wrote that IMDB review. Whenever I watch movies these days with him, Sean Connery, or Jack Nicholson I find myself missing their presence, although I hope they’re all enjoying retirement.
- Christopher Reeve has died since I wrote that IMDB review. Other people were as taken with him as I was in this movie and he should have become one of Hollywood’s greatest stars ever. Instead, I’ve never seen such a horrible case of someone who turned down great film roles offered to him. The list is beyond staggering – Body Heat, American Gigolo, The World According to Garp, Splash, The Running Man, Total Recall. Any one of those could have led to so much enduring stardom instead of his doing TV movies just a decade after his iconic role. Even AFTER his infamous accident he was lucky enough to get offered at least one major role in a huge hit that would have created a new identity on the silver screen for him (the villain in Hannibal) and he even turned THAT down. Apparently his wasn’t even one of those stories of a tragedy teaching someone to make the most of life’s opportunities. From reading his autobiography I got the sense he just lacked confidence and never felt worthy of great roles at the peak of his career and watching him here I feel mad that he cost us fans his charm and talent in so many otherwise amazing movies. Still, in spite of himself he got out of his own way twice and had the lead roles in two films that he said will stand the test of time. I’ll go a step further and they they’re utter masterpieces. One is the greatest romantic movie ever made – Somehwere in Time. The other is of course this one.
Up next: The granddaddy of them all’s little brother.
Bottom line: I love it. LOVE.
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