TIFF Comic Book Hero Series Review: Superman (1978)

Cast: Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Gene Hackman
Director: Richard Donner
Country: UK
Genre: Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi
Official Trailer: Here

Editor’s Notes: This review of Superman is apart of TIFF’s Comic Book Hero series which runs from March 9th to 24th at TIFF Bell Lightbox. For more information, visit TIFF.net.

Even after three decades, Richard Donner’s Superman is still considered one of the best and most impressive comic book movies of all time. It is evident that Donner took a great deal of time and effort to portray the journey of Superman from birth to manhood, and to tell that story in a relatable, if not realistic, way.

It is evident that Donner took a great deal of time and effort to portray the journey of Superman from birth to manhood, and to tell that story in a relatable, if not realistic, way.

The film is really three stories in one, which shows the full story arc of how Superman became the icon we all know. The film starts on Krypton, just before it is destroyed, where Jor-El sends his infant son, Kal-El, to Earth to escape their planet’s destruction. The film moves forward several years to show a teenage Kal-El, or Clark Kent, finding it difficult to fit into Smallville with other people his age because of his alien background. With the death of his earth father, he begins a journey to figure out his past and learns what he was sent to earth for in the first place. The film then leaps forward in time one last time to Metropolis where an adult Clark Kent, a mild-manner reporter now, is learning to fit in at the Daily Bugle. Upon meeting, and falling, for star reporter Lois Lane, Kent soon reveals his alter ego, the costumed Superman, when a helicopter, with Lois inside, nearly falls into a crowd of people.

Lois, in turn, falls for Superman, but does not realize that Clark and Superman are one in the same. At the same time, wealthy criminal mastermind, Lex Luthor, is ready to commit his ‘crime of the century’ but is worried that the arrival of Superman would prevent his plan from succeeding. Luthor then lures Superman into his lair, hoping to stop him with information he was able to deduce about his weaknesses. Superman must fight his way out and prevent whatever diabolical plan Luthor has devised in order to keep all those he has come to love safe.

Superman may very well have been the first comic book movie to take its source material seriously, where cinematic drama and subtle humour worked far better than the usual campy approach. Donner’s concentration to detail in both story and production are not only evident, but pay off. From the first few scenes Donner shows us that the people of Krypton, an advanced and peaceful society, were doomed by their arrogance and decadence. The scene where Jor-El says goodbye to his son, while Krypton begins to be destroyed, was both touching and visually impressive. The set designs and costumes of the people and technology of Krypton were excellent for their time, and could even hold to this day. In the next act, where Donner shows Clark’s life in Smallville and the discovery of the Fortress of Solitude, could be considered the slowest aspects of the story but that is the worse that could be said about them. They were well acted, and showed a young Superman’s feelings of alienation, self-discovery and tragedy that would define the end of the film.

The most iconic and legendary parts of this film is in the third act, with the arrival of Christopher Reeve as both Superman and Clark Kent. If children were to see this movie, the scene where Superman first arrives in full costume would be the scene they remember the most of this film.

The most iconic and legendary parts of this film is in the third act, with the arrival of Christopher Reeve as both Superman and Clark Kent. If children were to see this movie, the scene where Superman first arrives in full costume would be the scene they remember the most of this film. In comparison to modern technology, the graphics in Superman are extremely dated, but they still are not so bad as to take the viewer away from the story. Also, Reeve’s commitment to the flight sequences deserves the credit for these dated graphic sequences not being a drain to the film. However, Act 3 did have the main problems with the film. The extended flight scene between Lois and Superman, while romantic and cute at first went on for too long (even for romantics), and the ending where Superman turns back time were the biggest flaws in the film. But even with them, the film still is enjoyable and even became iconic cheese moments.

In terms of acting, this film stands out with having some of the best acting in a comic book movie even in comparison to today’s standards. Reeve was brilliant with not only his portrayal of the dual roles, but also the appearance and physical difference between of both Superman and Clark Kent. Gene Hackman played a good villain, Lex Luthor, if not a tad too comical. But his deep sociopathic and cruelty was masked by his smiles and jokes, but came through few times that made his character’s place in the movie work. Marlon Brando’s Jor-El was excellent as the lone voice of reason and the sage-like father-figure who would go on and guide Superman to be the hero he is. Brando’s appearance also showed that a comic book movie is an appropriate medium for serious actors to do serious roles. Margot Kidder’s Lois Lane was the weakest of the big roles, but that is not to say she was bad, just not as good as the others.

Donner’s Superman is a movie that has it all; action, drama, humour, out-of-the-world sets, and a musical score that will resonate to the soul. Watching Superman will make you believe a man can fly while also making you smile in triumph despite yourself, even after 30 years.

76/100 - Donner’s Superman is a movie that has it all; action, drama, humour, out-of-the-world sets, and a musical score that will resonate to the soul.

By Umar Shameem

When I was 6 years old, my mother showed me the 1978 Superman movie. I watched that maybe 1000 times by the time I was 7. Ever since I have loved movies, and comic books. Fast forward 20 years, a couple film courses, several thousand comic books and over 2000 movies, and you get me. I continue to watch films of all genres and read comics. It is apart of my identity and it is something I love and hope to be able to continue loving and enjoying until the end of my days.