mrslimm

This is a very fast moving film with an often amusing and witty script with still impressive special effects (especially a helicopter atop a skyscraper scene and a horribly claustrophobic earthquake / burying alive sequence) and flawless performances from all the lead actors.

Gene Hackman is suitably assured and memorably hiss-able as the bad guy Lex Luthor while Marlon Brando provides a fittingly masterful and natural performance as Superman's biological father, Jor-El. Margot Kidder makes an unusual heroine who is a little more self-assured than the stereotypical female lead in adventure movies. She probably has the best scream of any damsel in distress but is not as physically beautiful as many other Hollywood actresses of the time. Christopher Reeve is, without doubt, the best Superman ever, blending his invulnerable macho charisma with the almost inept and wimpish Clark Kent to brilliant and humorous effect. He IS Superman. Christopher Reeve actually looks as well as acts different while playing his alter egos and makes the entire outlandish premise just that little bit more believable.

The turmoil Superman feels within is expressed neatly during the film and we see that, even if it looks like we have everything (perfection in Superman's case but it could just as easily be money or anything) we will still want what is free to all of us, love and affection from someone dear to us.

Special effects range from very good to brilliant and simply add to the film. Some clever moments include Superman rescuing Lois from a helicopter disaster atop a skyscraper, Superman dissuading a thief from making his escape, a scene where Superman flies off and, apparently without a cut, walks back in the door as Clark Kent and a frighteningly realistic and claustrophobic earthquake scene.

The music score is another memorable and stirring piece of music from master movie composer John Williams. The music is also completely fitting and is the final piece in the jigsaw.

Credit must also go to the director, Richard Donner ("Lethal Weapon" Series, "Maverick (1994)" who manages to maintain a relentless pace throughout, piling on the action and humour right through to the memorable climax. Astonishingly, when this movie became successful, he was fired from completing Superman II (partially filmed at the same time as this first movie until financial support dried up). Director Richard Lester ("The Three Musketeers (1973)") was brought in to complete the filming of the second part of the Superman story. However, in Lester's hands the series went from perfect (this film) to acceptable (Superman II) to dreadful (Superman III).

"Years ago, my mother used to say to me, she'd say: 'In this world, Elwood,' she always used to call me Elwood. 'In this world, Elwood, you must be oh, so smart or oh, so pleasant.' Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant. And you can quote me." - Elwood P. Dowd (James Stewart)

And, though you suspect James Stewart was never anything less than thoroughly pleasant, that quote from this completely bewitching movie, sums up perfectly the career of James Stewart and this movie in particular. It is one of those rare, rare movies that, when one has watched it, makes you want to try harder to be a nicer, better person. I recommend 'pleasant,' also. And I recommend this movie.

Short and wonderfully sweet. Every gag is timed and animated to perfection and there is even a good punchline (usually a cartoon short's most obvious problem). This is essentially a re-animated version of 1947's Buccaneer Bunny but the gags are timed even better.