Superman: The Movie

• AMG Rating:
• Genre: Science Fiction
• Movie Type: Master Criminal Films, Superhero Film
• Themes: Righting the Wronged, Heroic Mission, Assumed Identities
• Director: Richard Donner
• Main Cast: Marlon Brando, Gene Hackman, Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Ned Beatty, Jackie Cooper
• Release Year: 1978
• Country: US/UK
• Run Time: 150 minutes
• MPAA Rating: PG

Plot

Richard Donner's big-budget blockbuster Superman: The Movie is an immensely entertaining recounting of the origin of the famous comic book character. Opening on Krypton (where Marlon Brando plays Superman's father), the film follows the Man of Steel (Christopher Reeve) as he's sent to Earth where he develops his alter-ego Clark Kent and is raised by a Midwestern family. In no time, the movie has run through his teenage years, and Clark gets a job at the Daily Planet, where he is a news reporter. It's there that he falls in love with Lois Lane (Margot Kidder), who is already in love with Superman. But the love story is quickly sidetracked once the villainous Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman) launches a diabolical plan to conquer the world and kill Superman. Superman: The Movie is filled with action, special effects and a surprising amount of humor. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Movie Guide

Review

A rousing big-budget spectacle of the highest order, 1978's Superman succeeds thanks to its snappy pace, a witty script and a slew of memorable performances. Director Richard Donner wanted an unknown for the tricky title role; Christopher Reeve fits the bill with a finely nuanced performance, poking fun at the Superman mystique without diminishing its power. The reliable Gene Hackman steals just about every scene he's in as smarmy archenemy Lex Luthor. In a smaller but no less memorable role, Marlon Brando was reportedly paid close to $4 million dollars for his ten-minute cameo as The Man of Steel's father. Superman proved to be another hit for Donner, following 1976's The Omen; the film would inspire three sequels of descending quality (though many argue that the second installment is in fact superior to this one). ~ Brendon Hanley, All Movie Guide