Superman

The Superman movies were favourites of my childhood, but I don't remember them as well as many others. I was never that into superheroes.

Therefore I came to "Superman" with some reluctance, which turned out to be unnecessary. "Superman" still stands up as a pretty fantastic movie, and could probably still be used as a template for the modern superhero movie... not that I've really seen any of those.

It's got decent characters, a decent story, and the effects are still impressive enough. What really sets it apart, though, is the actual chemistry between Reeve and Kidder, and the wit in the screenplay.

It all begins as planet Krypton's world unwinds, as you're packed inside a vessel and assigned, to a place where you'll excel, where folk will come under your spell, the populations of this place are called mankind. You're discovered by a couple and taken in, while growing up, concealing talents that could win, a loss leads you to the arctic, an experience cathartic, but it's Metropolis, where you firmly stick your pin. The Daily Planet is the place you'll ply one trade, Clark Kent assisting Lois on her crusades, your first encounter with Lex Luthor, a somewhat challenging manoeuvre, as you defy Jor-El's mandate, to save the day.

Having recently seen the huge disappointment: Superman Returns, I felt an obligation to watch this version to see how it measured up. I couldn't believe my eyes, and ears! 'My God!' I thought, 'Characters that actually interact with one another!'. That is one of the key elements Superman Returns was missing: dialogue. This movie had so much fun with the story, and the characters, that despite its lack of modern effects, it was still immensely enjoyable to watch. There was real character development, real humor (particularly the scenes between Lex and Otis, which I found hysterical) and a palpable chemistry between Lois and Clark/Superman. From the very beginning, this movie grabs you tightly and keeps you interested. It has an enlivening effect on you, where you feel genuinely happy after watching it, which, to my understanding, is what the movies are all about. Gene Hackman had great one-liners, for instance,"Otis, do you know why the number 200 is so vitally descriptive to both you and I? Because it's your weight, and my IQ", and the entire cast sat right. The roles fit, the effects (for their time) were great, and the script was wonderful. It's amazing to me, that movies like this can still hold up against movies that are made with the gross national product of a small country. If you want Superman in all his glory, ignore 'Returns', and pick up this one; you won't be disappointed.

"Otis, do you want to see a very, very long arm?" "Oh no, Mr. Luthor!"

This is, for me, the best of all the Superman films. It takes into account the mythos of the most famous superhero ever. The beginning is so incredible. I already knew the story (by the way, I'm not a fan boy, just encountered it along the way). I think that the Superman oeuvre is the best plotted out of all these heroes' stories. We get to see the struggles of the father, Jor-el, dealing with the short-sightedness of the civic leaders. We get set up for a future with the three malcontents who are out there somewhere. We get the storied life of Clark Kent/Superman as a kid and the struggles he faced. We get an explanation for the Fortress of Solitude. And finally, there is an introduction to Lex Luther, the mastermind, who will make Superman's life a continuous battle. Clark has left home and seems to have some real insights. He is prepared. Now the story and future stories will move along. Oh, we will miss the kind and accomplished Christopher Reeve for this and other roles.

I thought I would pay tribute to one of Christopher's Reeve's best role ever; and that role is Superman. As many comic book fans follow, the film tells the story of Clark Kent who was born on Krypton and was transported into Earth after the planet exploded and loses his real family. As a new family finds him in the field going home, the couple take Clark as their own son and raise him. What the couple know about Clark is that he has a gift to do things twice as fast than any other ordinary human being; but as time goes by, Clark loses his father of a stroke and decides to take a life of his own as he works for the Metropoltian Newspaper, he meets Lois Lane (Margot Kidder) and he has a crush on her, even saving the woman from being killed. Just like any comic book movie, there is always a villain; with Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor in a campy role along with Ned Beatty as Otis, the sycophant with no sense, these two plan to destroy the world with nuclear weapons. Christopher Reeve doesn't get into the Superman Costume until 45 minutes into the film in which he saves Lois in one scene, busts bad guys and becomes and icon to the public. Superman is the finest comic book movie, and I only wish Christopher Reeve's family the best.