Big budget superhero films appear to be the only noticeable thing that Hollywood can or wants to put on silver screen these days. It is increasingly difficult to imagine the world when those films didn’t exist and the idea of creating them looked ridiculous. However, someone had taken that brave, difficult and risky first step resulting in Superman, 1978 epic directed by Richard Donner, known not only as the first modern superhero film, but also one of the most successful blockbusters of its time and the best film about the best known superhero.
The film’s premiere was supposed to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the first comic book featuring Superman. This is referenced in prologue which briefly begins on Earth 1938 and than quickly switches to Krypton, distant planet whose top scientist Jor-El (played by Marlon Brando), aware that his world is facing immediate destruction, decides to send space ship with his baby son Kal-El to Earth. The space ship lands in Kansas where the boy is adopted by farmers Mr. And Mrs. Kent (played by Glenn Ford and Phyllis Thatxer) who name him Clark and, despite aware of his superhuman strength and other abilities, raise him as normal human being. Only later teenage Clark (played by Jeff East) learns about his true origin and the mission his father wanted him to continue on Earth. Adult Clark Kent (played by Christopher Reeve) goes to Metropolis where his gets job as a reporter for newspaper Daily Planet, which is just a cover for his real identity of Superman – a heroic figure who uses his strength, flying ability and other superhuman powers to fight crime and help people in need. This mysterious figure intrigues Clark’s colleague, reporter Lois Lane (played by Margot Kidder), while criminal genius Lex Luthor (played by Gene Hackman) sees Superman as obstacle to his own sinister plans involving real estate, tectonic plates and nuclear weapons.
When faced with the task of introducing most iconic comic book character on silver screen, creators of Superman had to make many difficult choices. Thankfully, the most important proved to be correct. The title role, rejected as too silly and childish by many prominent 1970s Hoyllowood stars, was given to unknown actor Christopher Reeve. He took it very seriously and after intense physical preparation delivered truly impressive performance in which he produced strong athletic abilities, charismatic look and great acting talent. In his role he effortlessly glides between superhuman protagonist and his comical human alter ego. Reeve’s role is so strong even today, and despite many prominent actors playing it before and after, Reeve remains the ultimate screen Superman.
Reeve’s efforts were helped by large, diverse and talented cast. Margot Kidder, until that time known mostly as one of the muses of New Hollywood, is perfectly cast as female reporter and has excellent chemistry with Reeve. Gene Hackman, who was one of 1970s leading men, marvels at the opportunity to play first (and arguably the best known) role of major villain in his career. Both of them do better than Brando who, while solid, still sparks the debate whether the outlandish salary for his relatively short presence on screen was justified. For producers it apparently was, but they didn’t spare expenses when it really mattered, like in the case of visual effects. Film makers, despite not being aided by CGI like today’s film makers, used some innovative techniques – like Zoptic, developed by Zoran Perisic as an improvement over blue screen, which allowed Superman’s character to fly convincingly. Those efforts were aided by excellent cinematography by Geoffrey Unsworth which convincingly switches tone and create images equally impressive whether portraying Krypton, Kansas, Arctic or bustling Metropolis. John Williams, than at peak of his creative powers, wrote another memorable soundtrack that added to the film’s magic.
All those talents helped delivering the best possible combination of epic drama, romance, humour and spectacular but family-friendly action with some of the pathos thrown for good measure. This was exactly what the audience wanted and needed in the time of premiere, and Superman became box-office behemoth, easily paving the way for the first major superhero film series in history. Those achievements are even more impressive in light of extremely long and troubled production, which was marked by constant quarrels between producers, director Richard Donner, mostly uncredited team of screenwriters and, last but not least, Brando providing all of them one of the worst prima dona experiences of his career. Those problems, sadly, reflect on the film, depriving it of perfection, including the very obvious fact of looking unfinished. Originally devised to be shot back-to-back and distributed in two parts (like modern blockbusters series do), Superman begins with the unresolved plot that would be properly used only later, in its vastly inferior 1980 sequel. Nevertheless, despite this, it provides the audience with immense dose of entertainment and it is obvious why Superman, for better or worse, played such crucial part in creation of today’s Hollywood.
RATING: 8/10 (+++)
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