Superman (1978) [26]

This movie came out on the heels of Star Wars and Close Encounters of the Third Kind as yet another big Sci/Fi Fantasy movie for 1978. John Williams wrote the score and made another big hit. The opening theme probably ranks third behind Star Wars and Jaws as the most recognizable and powerful of all of his scorings.

Christopher Reeve was the casting coup for this movie. With his cheekbone, styled hair and muscles, he looked just like DC comics Superman. Margot Kidder had just enough moxie and nuttiness to be Mary Tyler Moore in Manhattan. The theme "Can you read my mind?" played when Lois and Superman fly around the city is a great way to tie the two together.

Marlon Brando did a great job as Jor El. The kryptonians needed to be an olympian collection of super beings with super-egos. Brando fills the role well. We do not see much of General Zod, (Terence Stamp) but we hope we will later. ("You will bow down before me! Both you and then one day your heirs! ") From the Saturday morning Justice League TV cartoon, we learn that Zod does escape the Phantom zone.

And what guy does not want his own "Fortress of Solitude?" It is a dream come true for those of us who have to settle for the garage.

Gene Hackman does Lex Luthor up right. He enjoys being a meglomanic. He is a happy guy; who would not be with "Miss TeschMACHER!?!". Ned Beatty is a great numbskull sidekick, Otis.

This is a movie to buy for the collection. {BB}

Added: July 10th 2006
Reviewer: BB
29 Point Scale Score:    [26]

Related Link (IMDB): IMDB - Superman (1978)
Hits: 2150
Language: english