Superman (1978)
Directed by Richard Donner
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.
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5 films that influenced Superman
What critics say influenced Superman
It was probably an easier decision, in 1978, for the filmmakers behind Superman to embrace the genial, aw-shucksiness of the character.
His feature debut would come in 1951 with Superman and the Mole Men…
Next, we get the 1951 feature "Superman and the Mole-Men," starring George Reeves and filmed as sort of an unofficial pilot for the long-running TV series.
The third part is where Donner and his writers (who included Mario Puzo) most radically shift the tone, moving from the deliberately paced drama of the first two thirds to a smartly comic, even screwball quality (Reeve based his Clark Kent on Cary Grant's performance in the classic screwball comedy "Bringing Up Baby").
The newest versions of Clark and Lois, Superman and His Girl Friday, their performances mark the first time in decades I’ve felt the vital, crackling spark needed between these characters…
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"Superman" opens like "Star Wars" and then gets down to earth.
This Warner Brothers release has already received more hype than The Great Gatsby, King Kong, and Star Wars.
(It's worth noting that the flying effects don't improve between Superman and Superman II, despite the quantum advances made in visual effects for George Lucas' Star Wars trilogy.)
Although this film tries to supply an element of mysticism (the box-office lesson of “Star Wars” and the Force has been learned), it’s Superman in the form of the joyless interim actor who goes to the North Pole to commune with his psychically still alive father.