Nice effects though.

It's fun, it's light, [but] it has a hard time when its tries to get heavy.

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties.

This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

It remains one of the most fascinating slices of my childhood. The fascination is the same. The same the emotion. And the believe than Christopher Reeves remains the best Superman. Sure, after decades, it could be seen as naive. But its freshness is yhe same. Like the noble moral message.

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.

How any one could write a bad review of this movie is beyond me? The only thing they could have done differently is not hire Brando for all that money. There were plenty of actors that could have played that part. Hollywood greed

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.