Superman (1978) Comics Αφιέρωμα

director: Richard Donner

writers: David and Leslie Newman, Robert Benton, Tom Mankiewicz

starring: Christoper Reeve, Marlon Brando, Gene Hackman, Margot Kidder

genre: Comics

For so long I still had never seen a Superman film in its full length except for latest film of the series. Now over the weekend i saw all four Superman films and glad that i did while I already had read a few Superman comics before hand. The first of them all might be the best Superman film, but it was a good start and a decent film.

The film doesn't follow the comic word by word but its does a good job of getting the spirit of who Superman is, his origin and the mythos. It shows us his origin on Krypton, his spaceship landing in Smallville, and his life as teenager with the Kent's in Smallville. Then the film turns its attention on a adult Clark Kent and his arrival at Metropolis and job at the Daily Planet. There he will meet the love of his life, his arch nemesis and then become the man his father wanted him to become a Superman amongst us.

Old fantasy films always make a bigger impact at a young age. Maybe if I had seen this young I would have a different opinion. but how could I if filled sometimes with so many bad ideas. Generally the production of the Superman films were handled by people that didn't know what the character was really about. Due to their handling silly ideas were place in, which did effect the first film greatly and then the later films even more. Richard Donner the director and his own screenwriter Mankiewicz tried the best they can to change the script and tone to a more serious film. They did accomplish that but not entirely.

The most evident problem with the film is Lex Luthor, the action and the coincidental events that take place in the film. With Luthor its no so much the take on Luthor himself or Hackman's performance but Luthor's sidekicks and place of operations. Why couldn't Luthor be in a huge office building being the CEO with evident power instead of him just proclaiming to be the criminal mastermind of th world. Thats not what Luthor was all about in the comics. But even more than that what mind boggled me was the choice of making him have sidekicks. Did he really need a goofy sidekick who is just stupid. Would the smartest man on Earth hire a moron? Then theres his girlfriend Miss. Teschmacher . The only reason she there is for eye candy and for the super-villain to have a woman to bang. The there's the action which is really plain and with no imagination. They get the point across that Superman can save everybody but that's just too easy. My complaint is that its not very entertaining. Last is the coincidences the film has. It annoyed me how when Superman reveals himself to the public it so happens to be with Lois being in a helicopter accident and saving on the same day Air Force One. What are the odds? Then there's at the end of the film where Luthor decides to shoot a rocket at the San Andreas fault for his diabolical plan. Who happens to be there at that exact moment? Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen that are covering the story. Again what are the odds..

Besides all that, for a 1978 Superman film its not that bad. For the first film to give us a incredible Superman with Reeve, a very cool origin in the start and an great chemistry between Lois and Clark then thats all I need to be covered. May not have been the best Superman film but is good film nonetheless.

"You will bow down before me Jor-El! I swear it! No matter that it takes an eternity! You will bow down before me! Both you and then one day your heirs!" - General Zod