Superman | | Cast : | Gene Hackman, Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder | | Director : | Richard Donner | | Studio : | Warner Home Video | | Format : | Color, Closed-captioned, Widescreen, Dolby | | Released Date : | December 15, 1978 | | DVD Released Date : | May 01, 2001 | | Language : | English (Dubbed), French (Subtitled), English (Subtitled), Portuguese (Subtitled), English (Original Language), Spanish (Subtitled) | | Audience Rating : | PG (Parental Guidance Suggested) | | | BUY THIS DVD FROM AMAZON |
Customer Reviews
| Rating |  | | Date | August 15, 2005 | | Summary | THE best super hero movie of all time!!!!! | Content
 | When I first saw Superman: The Movie (back in 1989 on TV when Tim Burton's Batman was getting major hype) I fell in love with the character and the comics right away. To this day it still eclipses all other super hero movies IMO. I wasn't aware there was extra footage that was not shown before, but after seeing the Special Edition DVD, the story was more powerful. Christopher Reeve perfomance was excellent and he will always be Superman to me. Hackman was spectacular as arch-villain Lex Luthor and Brando (as Superman's father, Jor-El) was fantastic. |
| Rating | | | Date | August 12, 2005 | | Summary | An Incredible Adventure When Viewed from the Proper Perspective | Content
| Superman is, to my knowledge, one of the first seamless integrations of action, adventure, comedy, and romance. It is a classic, and deservedly so; however, the times have changed. Movies used to be devoid of any complexity; as such, it was not a problem that the plot of Superman can be easily summarized in one or two sentences. The simplicity was perfectly acceptable, as simplicity was expected. Movies were not meant to make you think. Nowadays, on the other hand, even the silliest movies involve complex plot twists and various subplots. They make your mind do gymnastics, whether or not you realize it. If you watch Superman today, expecting a movie that will blow you away in the context of modern movies, you'll be enormously dissapointed. It's not what you would expect to see, even if you thorougly enjoyed this very same movie just a few decades ago (and hence the distorted ratings from those who merely remember enjoying the movie, without watching it before reviewing it). If, on the other hand, you view it from the perspective of 1978 cinematography, you'll understand what made this movie great. I really do hate to give Superman a mediocre rating, as doing so is completely anachronistic and unfair. Unfortunetely, I can't change my perspective: I am watching this movie in 2005, in the shadows of more modern movies. Hopefully, unlike myself, you'll be able to change your perspective in order to take part in this incredible adventure. |
| Rating | | | Date | August 04, 2005 | | Summary | The Bible of the Superhero Film | Content
| This movie is the original, and although not the best, it is very much still the comic book super hero film to measure all others that have come since. This movie deserves recognition for the daring to attempt a comic to screen adaptation in the first place and to make a man believably seem to fly. The catchphrase in fact took great pride in the fact that the filmmakers were certain that the audience would be convinced a man could fly. Christopher Reeve, an unknown at the time stepped in the red cape and would forever embody Superman for the generations that would watch this film. Gene Hackman is dead on as Lex Luther and Ned Beatty as his cohort is hilarious. Marlon Brando's brief and multi million dollar appearance does exactly what the producers had hoped and gave this film a very rich, real and strong resonace with the viewer. The story is heartfelt and genuine, the action segments are realistic and exciting. This film defined the very reasons we go to the movies. To this very day i still truly believe that a man can fly. |
| Rating | | | Date | July 29, 2005 | | Summary | Film of Steel | Content
| The best of the superhero movies, Superman embraces the Superman legend without going the expected camp route (That we'll save for Superman 3). The DVD restores a few minutes of film that expound on Kal-Els life. Christopher Reeve is amazing as the man of steel wonderful portraying the duality of Clark Kent/Superman and Gene Hackman, as always, brings great respect to every role he portrays. The story by GODFATHER writer Puzo is epic and was even able to pull Marlon Brando in as Kal Els father Jor El. Wonderfully directed by Richard Donner with a stunning musical score by uber-composer John Williams. Followed by 'declining in quality' sequels. |
| Rating | | | Date | July 27, 2005 | | Summary | Great tribute to America's most recognizable fictional character | Content
| I remember going to see Superman The Movie as a kid with my dad. He was more eager to see it than I was. Thinking back, it's great to consider we were able to enjoy something that spanned across both our generations. So few things do these days.
The effects, the characters, the story, and the music in Superman The Movie are all fantastic. It's also very cool to consider that, aside from a little modernization (circa 1978), the movie stayed true to the original story.
While the special effects were amazing when first released, I'm sure that by today's standards, a lot of it seems somewhat campy. However, the flow and storyline are so strong, most of the aged effects are easily overlooked.
Most importantly....Superman The Movie just makes you "feel good". Despite incredible abilities, Superman was still recognized as being vulnerable to emotion. He had to deal with growing up on an alien planet. It made us consider...What would we do with powers like that? He was someone who would do the right thing at any cost. He wanted to make the world a better place.
How can we NOT like a character like that? |
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