I was never a huge Superman fan, but I’m committed to watching Superman 1-4 and documenting my thoughts. Here we go: • Krypton was cool, an interesting air about it, and Brando plays for keeps. • Zodd & friends going into the Phantom Zone was cheesy, but who doesn’t like a little cheese with their crackers? • I didn’t remember the Krypton sequence was so long. I kinda wanted longer. • The Kryptonians for being so advanced had Empire-level failures in developing safeguards against falling great heights. • I normally think of Hulk (2003) as having very comic-es que framing, but Superman did it back in 1978. • Most effects haven’t aged well. Some have aged very well, though. • I like Lois, though she can be blundering. • Gene Hackman is the Luthor real estate mogul we’ve all dreamed of. • John Williams’ score really ties this whole thing together. • I’m not sure why Clark Kent is trying to date Lois Lane while Superman is trying to date Lois Lane... seems counterproductive. • Reeve does a splendid job as both Superman and Kent, but I can’t say he couldn’t be topped. • Superman screaming is barbaric. • Man, The Dark Knight (2008) took the “dual distress” idea right out of Superman, but at least they kept the sacrifice in tact. • And then it jumps the shark and reverses all the pain and sacrifice by... flying fast and spinning the Earth backwards on its axis? Only a child could suspend such belief, I’m convinced that’s why Donner went with that ending. All in all, it was good and memorable, but probably not something I would watch again on a whim.

I ended up watching the directors cut as the first watch for this movie and I love it

Through wonders in editing and visual cinematic technology you'll believe that Marlon Brando actually memorized his lines

“You’ve got me!? Who’s got you?” Watched this one for the first time in preparation for seeing superman tomorrow. This movie has so much potential. But unfortunately it spends the first 50 minutes on the most drawn out version of Superman’s backstory instead of doing anything interesting. Yes these moments are important but not the way this movie tells them. Why do I need to watch a 40 year old man who looks nothing like Christopher reeve play a teenager for 30 minutes? But as soon as Reeve steps onto the screen the movie just lights up. He is Superman. He is charming and you just believe him. Watching him play Clark and Superman is just so fun,  their personality traits and the way he shifts between them. Louis lane is great as well. I especially love the interview scene.

99/100 This movie feels like what we need nowadays more than ever. In an era where cinema is plagued by insincere works scoffing at the fact they're superhero movies, this movie takes perhaps the most iconic superhero ever, and makes the bold decision to just play him straight, and weirdly enough, it works. This movie was heavily praised for its effect work when it came out, but I'm surprised at just how good the practical effects are even by today's standards. It's shocking just how well they work, especially the Superman flying effect. "You will believe a man can fly" indeed. The characters also hold up really well, particularly Christopher Reeve as Superman. While I personally liked David Corenswet more, it's close, and it's definitely not because of Superman himself. Reeve plays a great Superman, if a mediocre Clark Kent only because it feels more like Superman is the true self,…