Superman
1978 · Directed by Richard Donner
Original language: English
- science fiction
- action
- adventure
The story
Mild-mannered Clark Kent works as a reporter at the Daily Planet alongside his crush, Lois Lane. Clark must summon his superhero alter-ego when the nefarious Lex Luthor launches a plan to take over the world.
What it’s like
Warm, sunlit optimism with a comic-book sheen: bright primary colors, gleaming Metropolis skylines, and lush, classical John Williams fanfare that swells whenever the hero takes flight. The first half unfolds in cozy newsroom interiors of warm lamplight, wood, and clattering typewriters, with the camera holding steady on Clark's small, awkward movements before the film opens into sweeping aerial shots and soft, painterly backdrops of the Smallville countryside and the Arctic. Special effects are of their era, so the flight scenes have a gentle, storybook quality rather than slick modern gloss, and the film keeps a grain-soft, slightly theatrical look throughout. The pacing is leisurely and humorous, with long, playful dialogue scenes and a romantic thread between Clark and Lois that plays out with light banter and sincere warmth. Tone stays earnest and hopeful, with a bit of camp and a lot of kindness. Violence is cartoonish and bloodless, with a few brief fights and a disaster sequence that is more spectacle than dread. Suits anyone wanting a comfort rewatch on a lazy afternoon, or families and fans who want a sincere, old-fashioned superhero story with heart.
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