That is one bad outfit!

SUPERMAN (1978)

Reviewed by Jerry Saravia

"You'll believe a man can fly!" - tagline for the film "Superman"

 Of all comic-book heroes, only Superman reaches the heights as one of the greatest of all crime-fighting heroes. But there was something more to Superman, other than he was an alien. Superman fought for truth, justice and the American way. Baby Clark Kent did not land in some foreign country like China or Russia. He landed in good old Smallville, USA. Though not of this world, I would not be surprised if Clark Kent was anything other than American. And this country boy with extraordinary powers makes it to the big leagues, in this case, Metropolis, standing in for New York City.

When "Superman" was about to be released in 1978, there was speculation as to whether the film would fly. Using an unknown at the time, Christopher Reeve, to play both Superman and Clark Kent convincingly was already an alarming task. The real trick was convincing audiences that this Superman could fly, and that he could make leaps over buildings in a single bound. Casting Marlon Brando and Gene Hackman was only icing on the cake. If audiences did not believe the sight of a man flying, then the film would have been pronounced a failure.

The verdict: "Superman" is not only one of the best comic-book movies ever made, it is also one of the great fantasy films of all time. And casting Christopher Reeve was a sublime decision. He is so perfect in the dual role that he became identified with the role, thus being stereotyped as only the Man of Steel. Reeve is convincingly klutzy as the bumbling Clark Kent which is very important, so we believe that even Lois Lane can't figure out his real identity. Reeve also makes Superman mightily heroic and human at the same time, even showing slight hints of humor. He is not as stolid as George Reeves own incarnation was - this Superman seems like a Boy Scout but also has heart and charisma to spare. Consider his first appearance where he is spotted on the street: "Hey man! That is one bad outfit!" All Superman has to say is, "Excuse me," as he takes off flying.

"Superman" begins with Kal-El as a baby transported to Earth from the dying planet of Krypton in some star-shaped vessel. His vessel crashes in Smallville, USA where he is found by Ma and Pa Kent (Phyllis Thaxter, Glenn Ford) and is raised as their own son. These scenes are amazingly rich and nostalgic. We see the young Kent as a waterboy for a high-school football team. He races faster than a speeding train (witnessed by a young Lois Lane). He can kick a football harder than any star quarterback. Tragedy does strike when his father dies of a stroke. Now Clark sees his destiny as he creates his Fortress of Solitude in the North Pole and leaves for Metropolis to become a reporter for the Daily Planet. Naturally, we see those great characters of comic book lore. There is the feisty Lois Lane (Margot Kidder), who misspells words when she types fast. She is ambitious and headstrong. There is the editor-in-chief, Perry White (Jackie Coogan), who is looking for the next big story and finds it in Superman. And the naive Jimmy Olsen (Marc McClure) whose biggest contribution to the paper is taking photographs. Clark Kent is hired on the spot for his fast typing skills and superb prose style. But Lois senses something amiss in someone who uses the word "swell."

Lois: "Are there any more like you back home?"

Clark: "Uh, no, not really."

There is the deliciously clever genius, the archvillain to end all archvillains, Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman), who discovers Superman's weakness. This will invariably help Luthor achieve his quest for ruling most of California with the aid of missiles to cause ruinous earthquakes. Luthor has some help for his nefarious plans thanks to the glamorous Miss Teschmacher (Valerie Perrine) and the witless Otis (Ned Beatty). His aides are not exactly the smartest but they are able to pull off some stunts to accomplish Luthor's plans. It's just that Superman is getting in the way.

I need not say more. "Superman" has everything you can hope for in a fantasy movie. There is action, romance, humor, heart, and a real conflict involving Luthor. There are so many wonderful scenes that stand out. The first moment when we see Superman flying from his Fortress of Solitude. The rescue of Lois Lane dangling from a helicopter at the top of the Daily Planet building. Clark Kent trying to change into Superman in a modern phone booth. The extended chaos of the earthquake where Superman saves a train, a school bus, a damaging cascade of water from crushing a small town, and even Jimmy Olsen from falling into a dam. *SPOILER WARNING* But the scene that elevates the myth into the sublime is when Superman turns back time to save Lois Lane from being submerged in dirt during the earthquake. It is a powerful, emotional breakthrough that shows the filmmakers were serious about this character and the movie.

Richard Donner ("The Omen," "Lethal Weapon") directs with authority, minus the campiness that could have killed the legend. Reeve and Kidder have made their famous roles their own (I am sorry but Dean Cain and Teri Hatcher hardly come close). The special-effects work because they have mystery and awe to them, and particularly because they serve the story. Hackman brings great humor and sarcasm to the bald Luthor. Even good old Marlon Brando brings some poignance to the legend as Jor-El, including the scene where he explains to his son how the world works and what is forbidden to a superhero. Simply put, this "Superman" rises above all filmed attempts. It is a stirring, amazing, grandly entertaining and imaginative update that will be remembered for ages.