Rating: 
Summary: Never has been, never will be a movie like this
Review: It has charm and romance and action and suspense and terrific acting and an amazing score and everything else. It is, to me, the best superhero movie and one of the ten best movies ever. And the fact that this was made in 1978 and without the benefit of CGI is what makes it so charming. When I saw this movie, I DID believe a man could fly. I saw it in every scene. The makers of this film have made a classic in every sense. Make sure you watch it on DVD in widescreen. You get to see how twice as much as with the pan and scan and it is worth it. Christopher Reeve deserved an Oscar and so did Gene Hackman and so did Ned Beatty and so did Jackie Cooper and Glenn Ford and wow, I loved this movie. It is as perfect a movie as I can remember. Get it and watch it and believe a man can fly.
Rating:
Summary: An Americana Classic
Review: The movie itself is worthy of the five stars, and no doubt the DVD version lives up its hype. After years of watching the fuzzy pan & scan monstrosity that was the video version of the movie, I rushed to see SUPERMAN at a midnight movie house near me when they ran one of the prints WB sent out for their 75th birthday a couple of years ago. It holds up so well -- the scenes in Krypton dole out backstory with ease and Brando adds dramatic weight (ahem) as Jor El. The Smallville scenes are touching. The Daily Planet feels real. Superman's first night out saving the rampaging chopper is a brilliant action sequence. Supe and Lois' night time flight through the clouds is haunting (with just the right note of camp in Kidder's voice over). The introduction to Lex Luther / Otis / Miss Tesmacher is just the right shot of comedy to pick up the second half of the movie. The finale is an awesomely impressive combination of effects and personal drama. Christopher Reeve is scary good with his roaring grief over Lois' near-death. This one, unlike the others that followed, has an actual MESSAGE that tracks throughout the story about the dangers of Supe intervening in the course of human events. The performances are dead on -- Kidder is so good its amazing she didn't become a huge actress after this. Hackman is infinitely better than Nicholson in BATMAN (which does NOT hold up). Any one sequence in this movie can be watched in and of itself, or over and over again.
Rating: 
Summary: Illogical plot spoils Superman The Movie.
Review: I remember going to see this movie in 1978.You could feel the anticipation and excitement in the audience just before the first flying scene.You can believe a man can fly,but can you believe the illogical plot?Lex Luther(Gene Hackman)is going to create new beachfront property by separating California from the rest of the USA with nuclear weapons and Superman reverses time by reversing the rotation of the Earth(come again??).This movie has superb production values and good performances,but is let down by a ridiculous and campy plot and villian.If it had stuck to a serious plot,like Star Wars,it would have done much better.An over-rated film.
Rating:
Summary: SYPERMAN
Review: There is really nothing wrong this film. It's fantastic! The opening with Krypton is stunning and Marlon Brando is excellent as Jor-El. By this time, everyone should know how Superman came to earth, and the stunning SFX make the sequence really fun. The plot is relatively simplistic. Lex Luthor plans to drop 20 megaton bomb onto the San Andreas Fault, causing all of California to sink. This will allow the expansive desert he has purchased to become the new coast, hence, Lex will becom stinking rich from tourist's money. There is just one obstacle in his path : Superman, played wonderfully by Chris Reeve. The opening theme by John Williams is really breathtaking, and the flying efx are breathtaking even today. This movie is full of great acting, music, and efx. Truly, it is the GREATEST Superman film of all time!
Rating:
Summary: re: the vhs movie
Review: i think mr. reeves performance of the superman/clark kent character is a just example of acting genius. he plays both ends of the spectrum with such convincing feeling, its almost incredible. on one hand, he is a bumbling nerd who is constantly stumbling over his own two feet or his tounge. on the other hand, he plays a strong, courageous yet humanly humble man who makes you believe not only in him, but believing in yourself, as well. i also think this movie is priceless because of the mechanics of the movie itself. the other reviewers are right.. any cartoon/comic hero is judged solely on the critera set forth by superman the movie. i look at movies like the batman movies, where the movie is set almost as a living comic book, and where you cant see any way at all that this movie could take place in real life. to be honest, it makes me ill. this is by far the best comicbook based movie i have ever seen, because everytime i see it, i look up in the sky, hoping to see that blue, red and yellow costume swoop by, letting me know that everything is right with the world. warner bros is coming out with a show this fall of 2001 called "smallville", which will be a dawsons creek type teen show dealing with the problems and feelings of a 15 year old freshman in high school, who 1) feels alone in the world because he is 15, and 2) has to deal with all these new and strange powers that are developing. this series, upon success, is supposed to be a springboard for a new superman movie. i just hope and pray that its not a "living comicbook" type program like lois and clark, or any batman movie not starring micheal keaton. i hope clark/superman is protrayed in the same awesomely inspiring yet humbling light as he is protrayed by christopher reeve. this movie is highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: Superman
Review: I'm going to echo what others have said before. Why don't they make movies like this anymore? Some elements of it are slightly "hokey" by anyone's standards, but there is a sense of hope, optimism, and basic humanity to it that makes it work. Unlike many attempts at super hero movies since, this one manages to communicate the essence of what it is that draws kids (and the young at heart) to comic books- the idea that fundamental human decency- "Truth, Justice, and the American Way"- can triumph over evil and cynicism. It may seem like an outdated or foolish notion in the view of many, especially in recent years, but as this film and others released in the late 70s-mid 80s prove, there was a time not too long ago when we were willing to believe it. And after all, that's what it takes- you have to believe.
Rating:
Summary: 23 Years Later, You'll Still Believe A Man Can Fly...
Review: The moment you hear John Williams opening score, you'll be engrossed in this film. Arguably, SUPERMAN is the greatest superhero movie ever made (and coincidentally the first movie I ever saw), and definitely one of the last epics to ever hit the silver screen. Making people take Superman seriously is the hardest task anyone making a comic-related film has ever encountered. However, director Richard Donner succeeded where eveyone else would've failed by taking the road less travelled, and focused on the mythos of the Last Son of Krypton, and all the empathic human emotions contained within. Consequently, he set the standard by which all comic-related movies were to be judged for the next 23 years (and beyond)!Few recognize, however, that the movie itself helped force the special effects genre into overdrive. Before SUPERMAN, no one had attempted to truly integrate blue screen effects (even Lucas)with traditional prop special effects. More importantly, they had never dared to do blue screen in daylight images (due to the black outline and unsteady color caused by the film of the time). Most importantly, utilizing a person in these images meant movement, something space ships didn't offer up as a problem. By the time SUPERMAN II came along, the challenges were even greater, including creating an entire city street to destroy! From beginning to end, SUPERMAN is a legendary fantasy-epic, wherein the Man of Steel ultimately turns his back upon the knowledge of his ancestors in order to save the life of his love, Lois Lane, by turning back time. Created in an age of art & innocence, SUPERMAN ignores the depressing scientific jargon-babble of today's trekky movies, and refuses to drag you down with over-complicated premises. Instead, it engages you in a fairy tale come to life (more fantasy than sci-fi). Simply put: SUPERMAN may very well be the most FUN movie of all time.
Rating:
Summary: The Greatest Flick Known To Mankind!
Review: This movie is the most wanted DVD out there, I think!! It has superior sound... Even the krypton scene is breath taking! Even if one is not a Superman fan, I suggest you buy it, YOU'LL BECOME ONE!
Rating:
Summary: I Believe he Can Fly
Review: If you have ever seen this movie you know what I am going to say. Superman is the greatest superhero ever. Reeves portrays the man of steel perfectly. From the look to the attitude. He fits the part like a glove. This adventureous and funny movie will make everyone happy. This is a must have for any DVD or Superman fan!
Rating: 
Summary: Needs More Work!! A Shame
Review: I just watched an advance copy of this long awaited WB classic. The anamorphic image is not stellar. The negative must be damaged. There were some nics/scratchs in several scenes. I wish they used some software to clean up the problems (ala Criterion Collection). The sound was good, B+. Some of the split surround effects were a tad over used. Example: When Lex Luther breaks the glass map of the world, is it necessary to hear the shards falling behind me when the action is in front??? I wish the DVD contained the original audio mix. The commentary with Richard Donner was very interesting. He went into a lot of detail about specific scenes and the difficulties he had with the producers. The 5.1 music-only wasn't so hot (pity). The recording is a bit dated. The bass is weak. I was looking forward to this DVD and I'm a little disappointed. They should do some more work on this beofre the big release.
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