Dir Richard Donner

Written by Mario Puzo, David Newman, Leslie Newman, Robert Benton

Christopher Reeve, Gene Hackman, Marlon Brando, Ned Beatty, Margot Kidder, Valerie Perrine, Jackie Cooper, Glenn Ford, Marc McClure.

As an infant, Kal-El, is sent from his dying home, the planet Krypton, by his father Jor-El (Brando). On his arrival on Earth, he lands in the town of Smallville, Kansas and is raised by Jonathan and Martha Kent. As he grows with the new name of Clark, he discovers he has superhuman powers, and on his 18^th birthday, not long after the death of Jonathan – he heads to find out more about himself. He trains for many years, and soon he reveals himself to the world as Superman. But the criminal mastermind Lex Luthor (Hackman), sees him as a threat – and while planning an evil land takeover scheme – plans to kill Superman too!

The original cinematic masterpiece still holds up today, albeit some aged graphics, but considering it is nearly 50 years old, this is a non complaint. These green screen actions are pretty impressive for the time they come from, and as a kid watching this in the 80s, I really did believe a man could fly!

Reeve perfectly embodies not only Superman, but also Clark Kent – with him still being the only actor in my opinion that was able to have complete different looks, feels and personality traits of each character. One moment in the film, ‘Clark’ is standing in a room, and take off his glasses – Reeve completely shifts his body to stand taller and more confident – and becomes Superman – only to put the glasses back on, hunch back down and become Clark again. A true master class, from a master actor – the late great Christopher Reeve! And to think the lead actor is billed third is just another product of its time.

Other cast are brilliant, like Hackman’s Lex Luthor, who is still the epitome of what a supervillain should be. His sidekicks Otis (the late Beatty) and Miss Tessmacher (most 70s and 80s kids first crush Perrine) are the perfect accompaniment to his character. Kidder (who is billed 8^th yet has the second most screen time, yet another product of its time) is the perfect Lois Lane – who is both believable as the strong willed, yet accident prone love interest.

The screenplay is extraordinary – with brilliant moments between Clark and Jonathan, and ‘Kal-El and Jor-El’ – with moving moments of dialogue between the Dads and their son.

The score by the legendary John Williams still gives me goosebumps when I hear it, especially over the incredible opening credits.

Very deserving of the score I give it.

5/5

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