Just what I expected

This is a tender, generous movie that likes its characters and presents them as real people, full of flaws and strengths.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

I intend to give a review on the long TV-version, who´s release last year on Blu-Ray made most Super-fans delighted.I myself found it very enchanting, and think that the added material are very well sewed in, and enriched the experience of watching Superman The Movie.Some seconds here and there, a few never seen shots even some hard core fans never had seen before. You don´t mind that the sound not is in full surround stereo - besides the opening and final credits - because the now "complete" cut is so great fun to watch.Yes, I know that this otherwise great movie lacks of a gripping plot. Some say It´s a slow and dull story, that mainly fills the last quarter only.But I see it different. This 55 or so million dollar budget show is to me an example of the perfect mix of great Sci-Fi, Drama, Comedy and Family stuff.1970's style.The typical photo, the classic angles. And of course the great special effects, and a most enjoyable dynamic soundtrack from the mastermind of John Williams.Putting the Theatrical, Special and Extended editions among each other in a sort of head-to-head triangle is unfair.Director Richard Donner perfers his S.E, of course, saying that it was uneccesary to put in in "all the crap stuff we got rid of". (His comment to the WB 183 minute version.)One man´s coffee is another man´s cappuchino, Richard.....For me the experience of the Extended version was the creme de la creme.Why moaning about something so classic, wichever take you watch - or perfer?Like "Star Wars", who had it´s premiere the year earlier, the production team wanted and needed a few well known superstar actors to lift the cred up.Every Superman fan - I think - knows all about the struggleing Marlon Brando stuff. Not gonna tell it here.Gene Hackman was in first ancuios about his repetation as a serious actor, if he agreed to join - of what he thought it was - sort of a PG 7 movie.I´d bet that his fee, compared to his contribution to this movie, made his big Lex Luthor grin even larger, for months. (And knowing his Superman stuff was fullfilled, even for pt. II.) But....you can´t imagine anyone else today fill his shoes in this. He did his proffessional job great.Chris Reeve was one in about 200. One of a couple of hundred screen-testers, who finally impressed the team so much that he got the job.Refusing to wear a muscle-fillout suit, he built up his Superman himself. (Supported by Star Wars bad boy Darth Vader....physically played in the first SW-trilogy by body builder David Prowse.)R.I.P, Christopher Reeve. The red boots will never be worn by any other, with that dignity.My short summary of the Superman - The Movie ( The "Cuts" aside now.)Great Krypton opening. Touching Kal-El take-off.Impressing landing on earth scene. Houmorus, but with drama.-Smallville part: Great. (+ greater....) -First Fortress of solitude scenes, +(Jor-El´s eduecation.)Then we take off!And see Chris fly.And you already know the rest.-Takes a newspaper job. ( As Clark K.) -Supringsly fast falling in love with Lois. Or she, with him? (Margot Kidder; great!) -1st superman show-off. -Lex L. enteres, villian plans as if it´s a 007-movie. -Rockets!! -Superman hurries to fix up the earthquake. -But misses Lois!"If I could turn back time...."Puts Lex and Otis behind bars. Smile to the camera!!You know all about this, Superfans.I will Quit here. If You Please.The original movie promised "Next year Superman II" in their ending credits. (Delayed by many reasons not mentioned here.)I´m done with my Superman review. For Good.

As with most of modern blockbusters, this film Superman defects in pace, editing, and character development. Yet the visual effects, music score and set pieces in the last thirty minutes are just stunning, and groundbreaking, and that's why this film was commercially successful and influential.

Although later sequels "Superman Returns" and "Man of Steel" come very close. I have seen many versions of this film, including a "campy" one with a tiger in it and Miss Tessmacher pulling a chain of Kryptonite from around his neck. The one and only theatrical release is the only one that is worth your time. Meant to be heroic and serious in nature. Good special effects for its time, but muddy blue-green- skies as blue screen (not green) was used. A great ending as Superman changes the course of time and history to save Lois Lane. Today marks the passing of Margot Kidder who played Lois in all 4 original films. No thanks at all to director Richard Lester for trying to make the whole thing a mockery of itself.

As many of you are aware there is several versions of this "Superman" film. This review is for the Longest Edition. This is called the RESTORED INTERNATIONAL CUT. I was not a huge "Superman" fan when I saw this film. I herd this was a good movie. I never seen a cartoon or television show on "Superman" so U had no idea who Lois Lane was. However I think that served me well. I was taken on an "E TICKET RIDE" that I never forgot. Even to this day this is still one of my favorite movie going experiences. In fact I loved this more than I did "Star Wars". Most of you know the story of "Superman". This film starts off with a bang however I am not a fan of the pro-longed opening credit sequence. To me that is still pretty to watch but it BORING. Thank god for the fast forward buttons.Academy Award-winners Marlon Brando and Gene Hackman head an all- star cast in the fantastic, action-packed film that made Christopher Reeve an international star playing the greatest superhero of all time. From the doomed planet of Krypton, two parents launch a spaceship carrying their infant son to earth. Here he grows up to become Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter for the Metropolis Daily Planet. But with powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men, he battles for truth and justice as Superman.Now the 3 hour Plus edition is worth watching however there is not much in the way of new scenes but more like SCENES BEING EXTENDED. The only NEW SCENE that comes to mind that should have been left in the original theatrical edition is when"Superman" talks to his father after he has revealed himself for the first time. It is a great scene and this is about the only SCENE that Richard Donner added back into the film for its DVD debut. I do however enjoy seeing the extension of Lois talking to the Indian Chief. It adds more information about why the Indians were selling their land. This film is still the best comic book movie ever made. Every film that has been based on a comic is compared to this 1978 Film. Nothing has come close to have the magic that this film captured. Richard Donner created a classic that still Under-appreciated. Today's comic book movies are garbage. They have no heart and are cast with the likes of Jessica Alba and other terrible actors. This is a first class production. The actors are all great in the roles they have. Can't say that about any "Batman" movies.