Superman (1978)

Featured Audience Ratings

• John M

  
  I just recently re-watched this movie in all its remastered blu ray goodness and I have to say I smiled a lot and just enjoyed it for so much of what it was. Cheesy goodness!! Christopher Reeve as Superman will always be that character. No other reboot will ever fill his shoes. EVER.

• Jeff "

  
  Revisiting this film a second time around, I loved it a lot more. Although I'm not that big on Superman, as I'm more a fan of Batman, this film was very much entertaining, and delivered good action, some good comedic elements and plenty of thrills. Christopher Reeve is… More
  Revisiting this film a second time around, I loved it a lot more. Although I'm not that big on Superman, as I'm more a fan of Batman, this film was very much entertaining, and delivered good action, some good comedic elements and plenty of thrills. Christopher Reeve is effective as Clark Kent/Superman and Gene Hackman is terrific as Lex Luthor. For its time Superman has impressive special effects that still hold up to this day. Richard Donner's directing is terrific, and he does a great job at crafting an exciting action adventure that is lots of fun. Superman is a true superhero classic Now, havi9ng watched it a second time around, I really understand the merit behind this picture. This is a great film that has stood the test of time, although many superhero films tend to fail in terms of delivering good action, effective thrills and at times comedy, this one is a near flawless film that really brings out those elements and doesn't make them irritating like Batman & Robin. With Superman you have one of the greatest superhero films only topped recently by The Dark Knight. Even with that said, this is a definite classic of which every superhero films are judged. With a brilliant cast of incredible talent, a great story and exhilarating special effects, Superman is a must see for superhero fans everywhere. This film has something for everyone. If you want an evening of good fun, and haven't watched this one, definitely do; it is worth your time. Though I'm still reserved on the whole Superman thing, I really thought this was a great film. A definite classic of the genre.

• Brad W

  
  Superman is a incredible and exciting superhero film and started one of the most famous genres in film. The story is a incredible telling of who is considered the greatest superhero ever, and although i'm more of a Batman guy, this movie tells a great story and I enjoyed… More
  Superman is a incredible and exciting superhero film and started one of the most famous genres in film. The story is a incredible telling of who is considered the greatest superhero ever, and although i'm more of a Batman guy, this movie tells a great story and I enjoyed learning his past and the movie gives us interesting characters and adds humor, I loved the story. The cast was great, Christopher Reeve was truly born to play Superman and gene Hackman played a very evil role as well. The special effects are amazing, they were some of the most groundbreaking visuals ever at the time, and I loved them. Superman is a film that lives on through many people, and it may not be the best superhero film ever, but its certainly one of the best.

• Martin S

  
  This was a good classic...Some scenes are really epic...That was cool. Gene Hackman is a cool guy. Everybody knows I'm not a fan of Superman...But this was a good show

• Tim S

  
  The original comic book movie...this is an all-time favorite. I thoroughly enjoy both versions of the film and can't imagine it being made at any other time with any other crew.

• AJ V

  
  I've never been a huge fan of Superman comics, but this is a good movie with an all star cast and it's become a classic. It does start out boring, but it gains speed, and it's very entertaining. If you like Superman, you should see this movie.

• Michael E

  
  more bad than good. The scenes in the film go way to crazy or over the top like the two nuclear missiles, tell me this IF HE CAN FLY AROUND THE WHOLE FREAKING WORLD AND REVERSE THE POLARITY OF THE EARTHS TIME THAN WHY CANT HE CATCH BOTH MISSILES, HE WOULDV'E PASSED THEM IN A… More
  more bad than good. The scenes in the film go way to crazy or over the top like the two nuclear missiles, tell me this IF HE CAN FLY AROUND THE WHOLE FREAKING WORLD AND REVERSE THE POLARITY OF THE EARTHS TIME THAN WHY CANT HE CATCH BOTH MISSILES, HE WOULDV'E PASSED THEM IN A MILLISECOND! SPEAKING OF WHICH THAT MAKES NO SENSE WHAT SO EVER, GOING BACK IN TIME TO CHANGE TIME EVEN TO A 3 YEAR OLD KID THAT MAKES NO SENSE

• Mike S

  
  Wow, it's been ages since I saw this film. I think last time wasn't even on this side of the millenium. It's still good after all these years, even if I don't love as much now as when I was younger. One thing that will never fade with time though, is the fantastic… More
  Wow, it's been ages since I saw this film. I think last time wasn't even on this side of the millenium. It's still good after all these years, even if I don't love as much now as when I was younger. One thing that will never fade with time though, is the fantastic music theme, composed by no other than the eminent John Williams. The action scenes remain brilliant as well, and are even up to par excitement-wise with today's superhero movies (albeit the special effects obviously have a lower "wow" factor). So when all is said and done, this still keeps its status as a charming and lustrous classic.

• KJ P

  
  Superman is one of the greatest superhero films I was ever able to lay my eyes upon. Filled with superb dialogue and a heart wrenching story that triumphs over any hero out there, Superman delivers on everything possible in the movie world. I couldn't believe what I was watching… More
  Superman is one of the greatest superhero films I was ever able to lay my eyes upon. Filled with superb dialogue and a heart wrenching story that triumphs over any hero out there, Superman delivers on everything possible in the movie world. I couldn't believe what I was watching before my eyes. The only complaint is that it took a little long to kick into gear at the beginning, however, that serves as no problem. This film is a masterpiece!

• Conner R

  
  The first great superhero movie that paved the way for all future adaptions. Richard Donner and Mario Puzo made superheros realistically fit into the world as much as they could and made comic books more than just something for kids. While it it wasn't a perfect movie at the… More
  The first great superhero movie that paved the way for all future adaptions. Richard Donner and Mario Puzo made superheros realistically fit into the world as much as they could and made comic books more than just something for kids. While it it wasn't a perfect movie at the time, the extended cut really shapes it into one. The performance of Christopher Reeves is great and captures Superman perfectly. However, it's Gene Hackman that completely steals the show and make Lex Luthor even more kooky and diabolical.

• Anthony L

  
  Superman is by far the best Superhero movie of all time. Sure the new Batman films are excellent but they're not a touch on Donner's classic. Reeve is the quintessential Superman, even though he the 3rd (or is it 4th?) person to play him. I just can't express how much I… More
  Superman is by far the best Superhero movie of all time. Sure the new Batman films are excellent but they're not a touch on Donner's classic. Reeve is the quintessential Superman, even though he the 3rd (or is it 4th?) person to play him. I just can't express how much I adore this film, it has been my favourite since childhood and I must have watched it over 100 times. I love everything about it and can find no faults with it. Brilliant!

• Jason O

  
  In my opinion, this is the best "Superman" movie out of any of them. All of them are great, but none of the others have the thrills, wonder, and excitement that this one has. Superman (Christopher Reeve) is sent to earth to keep people out of danger the best he can. However,… More
  In my opinion, this is the best "Superman" movie out of any of them. All of them are great, but none of the others have the thrills, wonder, and excitement that this one has. Superman (Christopher Reeve) is sent to earth to keep people out of danger the best he can. However, it might be harder than he might had anticipated after he meets with Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman) and learns of his plan to destroy parts of the United States by means of huge bombs. "Superman - The Movie" had some of the best special effects ever seen at the time and it also had a great plot. Not only is Superman a superhero, he also has a life. When nobody's in trouble, he turns into Clark Kent and works at a local newspaper company. He is also interested in Lois Lane (Margot Kidder). Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, and Gene Hackman all put on great performances to make this movie a classic. If you like movies about superheroes who always come to the rescue, I would recommend getting "Superman - The Movie." The first time you see it, it will take you by surprise as you watch it in awe at what Superman can do. Even after you see it a few times, it doesn't get old. NOTE: That was my Amazon review written in the year 2000. I lied, the best Superman movie is Superman II, but this one's great also.

• Thomas B

  
  set the benchmark for superhero movies

• Chris G

  
  You know how we have comic book adaptation films every summer. This is the granddaddy of them all (even though it would be another decade for Batman to get his film and yet another decade for the genre to truly take off). Everyone knows the story of Superman, so I won't even… More
  You know how we have comic book adaptation films every summer. This is the granddaddy of them all (even though it would be another decade for Batman to get his film and yet another decade for the genre to truly take off). Everyone knows the story of Superman, so I won't even waste the time on the plot or the storyline. If you don't know who Superman is you might as well stop right here. Directed by Richard Donner, Superman is a film that could have been an over the top romp ala the late 1960's Batman television series. But what Donner delivered is a film anchored in reality. This being from another world has dropped on the everyday lives of the people of Metropolis (or Manhattan if we want to get technical). When the name Mario Puzo is thrown into the screenwriting process you know this isn't going to be a campy affair. The cast is great. Christopher Reeve IS Superman for the entire generation that grew up with these films and the way it's going the next two generations will also look to Reeve as the big blue guy with the "S" on his chest. Can you imagine anyone else in that role? James Caan?? Brando turns in a nice 15 minutes as Kal-El, almost appearing to be in something written by Shakespeare and Margot Kidder shall forever be Lois Lane. Finally Gene Hackman gets the honor of playing one of the biggest baddies in modern mythology in Lex Luthor and he does it perfectly. Richard Donner has said that he had two goals in making this film. The first was making you believe a man could fly. The second was that the audience cared about what happened to Superman and Lois, making it a pseudo love story. He accomplished both and created a film that dozens of producers and comic book geeks have tried to emulate ever since.

• Chris W

  
  This is a classic 70's film, but it hasn't aged well. It's still a lot of fun though, and the music is great, so it's still worth seeing.

• Ken S

  
  Because Superman isn't powerful enough? He has to be able to turn back time too? Such a crap ending...it was so close to being good

• Mark H

  
  Most perfect superhero movie ever made. Case closed.

• Pierluigi P

  
  The greatest cinematic transition of a comic book ever done. Richard Donner's vigorous narrative pulse, Christopher Reeve's perfect incarnation and John Williams' majestic score made this movie an instant everlasting classic. Margot Kidder, Gene Hackman and the… More
  The greatest cinematic transition of a comic book ever done. Richard Donner's vigorous narrative pulse, Christopher Reeve's perfect incarnation and John Williams' majestic score made this movie an instant everlasting classic. Margot Kidder, Gene Hackman and the legendary Marlon Brando are some of the other additions to a perfect equation. An epic and exhilarating tale about the themes we the mere mortals constantly love to revive. The one and only superhero movie.

• Aaron N

  
  Warden: This country is safe again, Superman, thanks to you. Superman: No, sir. Don't thank me, warden. We're all part of the same team. Good night. I don't like the character of Superman that much, but he made a couple of some damn good movies. This movie is one of… More
  Warden: This country is safe again, Superman, thanks to you. Superman: No, sir. Don't thank me, warden. We're all part of the same team. Good night. I don't like the character of Superman that much, but he made a couple of some damn good movies. This movie is one of the best examples of how to make a great comic book superhero movie. This combines almost every aspect to make a near flawless movie about an already popular established character. It combines the right actors including some major A-list talent, amazing production design and effects, a brilliant and memorable score by John Williams, a story written by none other than Godfather author Mario Puzo, and great direction from Richard Donner to form a perfectly entertaining film for all audiences. Starting from the very beginning, on the planet of Krypton, Jor-El, played by none other than Marlon Brando, alerts the people that the planet will explode soon. No one believes him, but he sends his new born son away from the planet, only to have it arrive at earth thousands of years later. Of course, now on Earth, the child ages like a regular person, but has some wonderful tricks up his sleeve. He is adopted by the Kents, Pa Kent played wonderfully by Glenn Ford in an effective small role. The boy grows up to be Clark Kent, played by newbie at the time Christopher Reeve, and after a little soul searching, leading to the creation of his Fortress of Solitude and his knowledge of the past. He is then tasked to become a hero for the people, a super being who can do his best to make a difference for the good of the people. Co Pilot: [Superman has arrived to carry the damaged Air Force One plane] What the hell happened? Did we get the whole engine back? Air Force One Pilot: [after noticing Superman] Fly. Just fly. We got... something. I ain't saying what it is. Just... trust me. Clark moves to the city of Metropolis, using his Clark person to get a job at the Daily Planet, acting as clumsily as possible, meeting the spunky Lois Lane and innocent Jimmy Olsen. Clark soon delves into his Superman role, saving anyone in need, keeping people out of harms way, and doing other good deeds. Problems arise when the villainous Lex Luthor seeks to challenge Superman through his self-proclaimed superior intellect, hoping to become a dominant force in the world. Superman must now deal with Luthor's dastardly deeds, his feelings for Lois, and fighting for truth, justice, and the American way. As mentioned, everything is expertly done. Only in a movie as well done as this, given the subject matter, could I handle the idea of someone spinning the globe backwards. Its a wonderfully entertaining film that maintains the spirit of the comic, proving to be one the best representations of the adaptation of this medium. Clark Kent: Really, Lois, supposing that man had shot you? Is it worth risking your life over ten dollars, two credit cards, a hairbrush, and a lipstick? Lois Lane: How did you know that? Clark Kent: Know what? Lois Lane: You just described the exact contents of my purse. Clark Kent: Hmm. Wild guess.

• Lenny M

  
  Classic, extremely influential, RIP Reeve.

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