RANDOM REVIEW OF THE DAY: Superman (1978)

Richard Donner's 1978 family adventure film, Superman,  is considered to be the start of the blockbuster superhero films. And why shouldn't it, it stars one of the world's first, most beloved, and most iconic superhero. This film is a treasure in the heart of many Superman fans. The film stars Christopher Reeve as the Man of Steel himself, exploring his origins and his start in a journey that requires him to fight for truth, justice, and the American way. Through this journey as a survivor of his extinct planet Krypton, he comes across the beautiful reporter Lois Lane (Margot Kidder) and the evil mastermind Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman), whose devious plan Superman must prevent. A lot of things about Superman may seem corny or outdated by today's standards, but it continues to be full of wonder, hope, and passion which was the goal of director Richard Donner.


Christopher Reeve embodies the iconic image of what most people think of when they think Superman. He is courageous, bold, heroic, and inspirational. When you look at him, you think "American Hero". That and the character himself is pretty well developed, to the point when you can actually sympathize with him whenever he fails. Margot Kidder's portrayal of Lois Lane is considered to be a revolutionary way people began to look at the character. Before she seemed to be nothing than a damsel in distress. Here she has more personality and more motivation and Kidder definitely shows this through her performance. Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor is typical villain who wants to seize control over something. It may be nothing that special or something you can argue that does not hold up as well today when it comes to cinematic villains, but his performance saves it. Hackman comes across as very fun and entertaining to watch as Luthor. To me, he is not the ideal Lex Luthor, but certainly a fun one. Then we have Marlon Brando as Superman's biological father, Jor-El. Brando succeeds to be the inspiring and wise father we believe to be the father of one the world's greatest superhero. His fake British accent while identifiable, still comes across as somehow inspiring and father like.


Like I said before, there are certain aspects of the film that people may see as outdated. The obvious one being the special effects. Nowadays we can pin point the wires that hold Superman while he's flying or the green screen backdrops. But you know what, I will excuse this. Not just because of the time the film came out, but I do respect the hard work put in them. And for the time it came out, I can see why they would be groundbreaking. I can see why people would believe that they see actually see Superman flying. Richard Donner also did a very decent job directing this film. For the most part the film does have that comic book look while also mixing in with that realistic flair. It gives the audience a lot of convincing that this hero can exist in their world. The story is pretty well paced as well. We get enough of Superman's beginnings, his motivation to become a hero, his adulthood, his relationship with Lois Lane, and his conflict with Lex Luthor. A lot of these relationships and character development is given a sufficient enough of time so that the audience can be invested in them. We are allowed to be invested in this film through out the entire running time.


Overall, Superman still holds up as an entertaining wonder. It succeeds to be entertaining, hopeful, and inspirational as the Man of Steel himself. It continues to be loved and I can definitely see why. It represents everything that Superman stands for. Sure some parts are corny, over the top, silly, and outdated but sometimes that can be part of the fun of it. It is one of those films that can have at least one thing about it that somebody can enjoy. It's safe, solid, and for the most part represents everything that is truth, justice, and the American way!

GRADE: P+